A recent issue of Family Circle featured the story of Lynya Floyd, who asked her friends on FaceBook to honor her birthday by leaving a message on her timeline – but not just a generic wish. She asked them to offer a suggestion. Floyd’s request? “Please note one epic adventure we haven’t been on that you hope we will have one day soon… And I promise I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make it come true.”
Isn’t that brilliant? What I love about her request is not just that she’s open for adventure, but that she sees the value in sharing it with others. Floyd made sure her friends knew she would follow any idea. Floyd goes on to share about some of the escapades that have resulted from that post. She talks about how she has learned more about herself, but it is also clear how much of a role her friends are playing in stretching her notions of adventure and how much she is learning about her friends from their responses.
Now, asking all your friends to suggest adventures may seem like a lot to handle, especially if dozens of friends offer their ideas. And it could be overwhelming, albeit thrilling, to receive them all at once. But there’s nothing that says you have to ask for it as a gift to you. Why not turn around Floyd’s idea and use it as a gift to someone else? Especially this time of year when many of us are racking our brains for unique and appropriate ideas for graduation and Father’s Day gifts.
What grad wouldn’t like the gift of a card offering to take them on an adventure of their choosing? High school and college graduation are a time of transition already and grads often have a mindset of anticipation. They are primed for adventure.
And for Father’s Day you could learn something new about your dad by offering this gift. Maybe you already know what adventure your dad would like to take. But when you ask with the intention of it being something he and you would do together, how might that change? In what way would he want to spend time with you that you haven’t before?
Adventures can take so many shapes and forms that fit any budget. Why not invite someone to tell you what kind of adventure they think fits you both – and then do it?
In the comments, tell us one person you’d like to gift an adventure with and what you think they might request (or what you hope they will request).
