How this new academic year can become the adventure you shouldn't avoid
It's that narrow path most people prefer not to follow
The summer is over. This fact is usually flavored with sadness because, for so many of us, summer is that fantastic time when the pressure of schedule is off, life slows down a bit and we can finally catch up with our minds and bodies.
Sigh.
I grew up in a small coastal town along the Black Sea. When I was a child my summers were amazing: I swam in the sea and hiked in the Caucasus Mountains enjoying the splendor of Caucasian nature. But as I was growing up my life was becoming busier and busier and finally, it is what it is: a short break from hurry in summer and then a long year full of duties, work, and hustle. The adventure is over, time to get back to work. I’m sure many of you can relate here.
But I would suggest that as we’re starting our new academic year it doesn’t have to be merely the beginning of a new busy season. It also can be a new season of adventure, one that takes place deep down in your heart and is called: growth.
We humans love great beginnings (remember all those New Year’s resolutions?). Somehow, a fresh start in real-time events helps us to begin an internal journey of our hearts. And we need that inner journey. We all need maturity, we all need growth at some level. Nobody’s perfect, right? So let’s dedicate this new season to that growth. Let us intentionally pursue everything that’s good for our inner life.
The journey of growth is never easy but it’s worth it.
It always is.
The Bible says: “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life”. (Proverbs 4:23, AMP) With all diligence. Friends, it is so easy to neglect our hearts. Just stop paying attention to your inner world, stop asking why you do what you do and why you want what you want. The whole world around you, that cultural melting pot, is against your heart. The enemy is against your heart. Your own flesh is against your heart. Your heart is at war, obviously. No wonder the Word of God instructs us to watch over it with all diligence, or, as the New Living Translation puts it, “guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life”. In one of the versions of the Bible in Russian language (it’s my first language) this passage tells us to protect our hearts more than we protect the most valuable things in our life. Wow! The stakes are high, guys.
Now let me suggest that intentional growth and pursuit of maturity is one of the ways we take care of our hearts. Yes, it’s rather painful work at times than a summer vacation. I do get it. But it’s absolutely good for our souls. As I already mentioned, the stakes are high. The fruit of a neglected heart is devastating. We can see it everywhere. Our world is full of people with neglected wounded hearts.
What’s next?
I am so honored to share this adventure with you friends! In the next few months, we’ll discuss many good things based on the principles mentioned in the Scout Law. We’ll dive deep into the things that can nurture our souls, shape our characters, and enable us to fight for what’s right.
The journey of growth is never easy but it’s worth it.
It always is.
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Dan Zehner is a dad and an adventurer at heart. For years, he’s used GORUCK gear to become more physically fit and be better prepared. They’ve been around for over 10 years, and he’s been using their packs for the past eight. Their gear is made to stand up to the rigors of life, made in the USA, and designed by former Special Forces soldiers.
His go-to training setup is the Rucker and a Ruck Plate. For every day, he loves the Heritage GR1.
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I so appreciate your perspective and encouragement to live well.