I’ve always been called an instigator, and up until now have denied it. Scoffed at it. Secretly (or not so much) been offended by it.
I assumed it was a negative thing – that I instigated trouble of some sort or another.
While in some cases, that may be true, it’s often only part of the story.
Perhaps my brothers needed the push to jump the fence or scale the cupboards for the coveted chocolate chips. They needed to get outside the box of traditional play.
Whitewater rafting with the dog was an excellent idea. How was I to know she’d jump out??
While some of my ideas have not always panned out, they sounded great to start, and have taught me to be flexible. To go with the flow. To find alternative solutions, and to laugh in the face of most any predicament.
In other cases, those ideas have turned out more beautifully than I could have ever imagined. I’ve traveled to random places, gotten lost, met amazing people, taken detours, discovered private beaches, delicious food, and learned about myself and others – more so, than I could do in my comfortable life at home.
In pondering this title of “instigator” I’ve realized that I am one – always have been – and I LOVE it. I love thinking up adventures, and figuring out who I’m going to convince to come with me. I’m lucky, because it’s also my job. I instigate movement – of the body and mind.
The thing is, we are all instigators in our own way – whether we recognize it or not.
It can be trouble, but it can also be many, many other things.
Love, movement, peace, fun, adventure, curiosity…your choice.
What can you instigate today?
