A Single Courageous Act...
It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves
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From Jill -
Life is a grand adventure, teeming with twists, turns, and surprises. We all embark upon this journey, but how we navigate it can shape our experiences. For me, embracing an explorer’s mindset has been the key to tackling life’s challenges head-on, even when fear gets in the way. Whether I am caught in a blinding silt out in an underwater cave or trying to plan a technical dive in a difficult location, these strategies have served me well.
At its core, the explorer’s mindset is fueled by curiosity and a willingness to take risks. It means stepping out of one’s comfort zone, venturing into the unknown, and having faith in one’s abilities to handle whatever comes one’s way.
Consider Amelia Earhart, who defied all odds and soared across the treacherous Atlantic, becoming the first woman to achieve such a feat. Her powerful words, “The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity,” serve as a reminder that the first step is often the hardest. Or think about Malala Yousafzai, who risked her life to fight for girls’ education. Her courage and determination are a testament to the power of the explorer’s mindset.
Similarly, with help from Tenzing Norgay, Sir Edmund Hillary climbed Mount Everest, facing countless obstacles. His journey wasn’t just about scaling a peak but overcoming personal limits and pushing through adversity. He famously said, “It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.”
But embracing an explorer’s mindset isn’t just for those seeking epic adventures. It’s about embracing each day with an open mind, seeking new experiences, and challenging yourself to grow. Whether you try a new cuisine, learn a new skill, or simply walk a different path, every step forward is an opportunity for profound personal discovery and growth.
Stepping into the unknown can be daunting. Fear of failure or uncertainty may hold us back. However, it’s crucial to recognize that fear is not a hindrance but a natural part of discovery. It makes the journey rewarding and transformative, leading to a stronger, more confident version of ourselves.
By embracing an explorer’s mindset, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves, our passions, and our capabilities. With each new experience, we build resilience and confidence, propelling us forward on our path of self-improvement. This mindset can lead to new opportunities, improved problem-solving skills, and a more fulfilling life.
Join Robert and me as we embrace the explorer’s mindset and see where it leads us. After all, the most extraordinary adventures begin with a single courageous act.
Explore This - with Robert McClellan
“BURN BOOK” by Kara Swisher
I remember how thrilled Jill was when people like Diana Nyad, James Cameron, and Susan Casey agreed to write up a short positive review, or “blurb” that would appear on the back cover of her book “Into The Planet.” Sometimes, a third-party endorsement can be the reason a reader decides to make a purchase.
With this in mind, I have to admire an author who chooses to quote Elon Musk’s highly-regarded opinion “You’re An Asshole” and boldly share it prominently on the rear cover of her latest best-selling book. Tech journalist and acclaimed podcaster Kara Swisher wears this blurb from the Tesla/Space X guru as a badge of honour. And when I read “Burn Book” I understood why. In the distorted “Tech Bro” reality where Musk and many other so-called visionaries and CEOs are surrounded by toadies and supplicants, Swisher pulls back the curtain on 30 years of Silicon Valley’s most powerful icons. Yes, they were wizards pulling the levers and spinning the gears that created our 21st-century digital way of life. But they were also complicated people, with all the flaws, scars, and imperfections we usually try to conceal. Kara Swisher’s unfettered access to their cryptic world for decades brilliantly reveals the human side of the tech pioneers who gave us everything from AOL, Yahoo, and Netscape Navigator, to Google, Facebook, and Twitter. (I refuse to call it “X”!)
As someone who first logged online sometime in the early 90s using Compuserve via a dial-up modem, I found the tales of the early Internet trailblazers particularly illuminating. Swisher takes us on a fascinating journey, side-by-side with the innovators who masterminded the “bing-bong” dial-up modem days, through today’s developers and engineers implementing machine learning and artificial intelligence into many aspects of our daily lives.
Yes, Kara Swisher is an asshole - but thankfully she’s our asshole.
If you haven’t done so yet, check out the “Pivot” Podcast with Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway, and “On With Kara Swisher” on your favorite podcast platform.
Exploration Life -
There is a lot of chatter about octopus these days. From the acclaimed movie, My Octopus Teacher to the recently released Secrets of the Octopus on Disney+, audiences are learning about these charismatic animals. On a recent trip to Gods Pocket, north of Vancouver Island, Canada, I had numerous close encounters with Giant Pacific Octopus (GPOs). This species has an average arm span of around 4.3 meters (14 feet) and an average weight of 50 kilograms (110 pounds). However, they can grow even larger, with some individuals reaching up to 9 meters (30 feet) across and weighing over 45 kilograms (100 pounds). There is no doubt they are highly intelligent and curious. On two dives, I had "hand-holding" sessions where the GPO was investigating my hands and my camera dome that must have looked like a giant mirrored eye. If you want to see how octopuses investigate humans, check out the segment of Secrets of the Octopus featuring my friend Krystal Janicki. The footage is captured by the brilliant cinematographer Maxwel Hohn and I know you'll agree that both Krystal and Maxwel are octopus whisperers.
Here’s a link to some images from God’s Pocket.
During my surface interval, I was treated to a bevy of bald eagles! - Jill
Oh so true! That first decision to do something, is the hardest part! I find that as older I get the harder it gets, specially when choosing to do something that takes me out of my comfort zone! Sometimes it helps to surround oneself with people that will just say “why not, go for it” I am someone that anxiety was alongside me my whole life and that can be a big hindrance to acting! I have learned that anxiety is not me and stoped allowing it to guide what I did or did not do! Sometime when I tell people about the things I do, they reply with, I could never do that! Anyone actually could!! I do love your guys’ writing, I am so glad I joined! I will listen to Robert’s singing later! Btw, I love Joni Mitchell!
And God’s pocket has become a bucket list item, thanks to that octopus holding hand-tentacle story! You photographs are amazing!