Not long ago I headed to Arizona with my best girlfriends. These four women and I met in college, became fast friends, and have done a trip together every year since. We are on our 27th trip this May. While in Arizona we decided to do a desert tour with Desert Dog in Fountain Hills. On the morning of we grabbed our Starbucks and sunscreen and headed our for our three hour tour….‘a three hour tour.’ (who get’s this reference??)
Upon arriving at the site, we were greeted by a cigar-chewing swarthy character garbed in camouflage. He was surrounded by a fleet of what could only be described as caricatures of your cartoon vision of dune buggies. I was, let’s say, a wee anxious. He threw some helmets at us, told us to tighten up our sports bras (literally) and off we went. There might have been a wave of a waiver but I don’t really recall. (gulp)
Off we went bouncing and bracing through carved out desert roads, and craggily river beds. Dust flew into our eyes and teeth and the wind whizzed past our ears. Then there was a noise. I could not identify it so I listened more closely. “What was that??”
“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!”
IT WAS ME.
Yelling my bloody head off. Not yelling exactly, more like letting immense energy escape my body through my mouth in the form of the letter “E”. LeeAnn sat next to me in our ridiculous excuse for transportation. We could not wipe the stupid sandy grins off our faces. We bounced between terrified and elated. Our senses ran so acute I could see each particle of dust individually. The sun stretched her long yellow spikes out above us. LeeAnn’s blue T-shirt. My green shorts. Everything was brighter and clearer. We were having an “E”-Factor moment.
After three, steering wheel-gripping hours, we arrived back at base. We took some photos. I looked at the photo LeeAnn took. My eyes were sparkly and my smile truly authentic. I realized in reviewing the photo and then looking up and seeing the same goofy smiles on all of the faces surrounding me that we ALL need more “E”-Factor in our life.
More adventure, more “yikes”, but, “let’s do it anyway!”
When I am feeling stagnant, unfulfilled or complacent I now realize it is a signal from my soul to get out and have an “EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!” day.
“E”-Factor is different for everyone, but you will know when you are in it. “E”-Factor moments take your breath away. You will be so excited you will surely yelp. Everything is brighter, sharper and more acute than our typical experience in our normal day to day.
Go get yourself some.
FIVE WAYS TO GET MORE “E”-FACTOR IN YOUR LIFE
- Schedule adventurous events just outside your comfort zone. For some it might be swimming with sharks, for others a walk in nearby town they have never seen might be enough. Whatever it is, just plan it and do it.
- Don’t let grass grow under you feet. Never allow too long between “E”-Factor moments in your life. Do not allow complacency to master over you.
- Drag others along. Some folks have a harder time stepping out boldly. “E”-Factor moments are better when shared. Drag an unsuspecting friend into the fold.
- Stay safe but not too safe. Danger is okay. Risk is okay. It is what allows us to take chances in real life! If you experience that “oh, I can ride a horse when I thought I couldn’t” then maybe you might just apply for that job that seems out of your reach.
- Document. Take photos so you can reflect back and say, “I freaking did that. I am awesome and I can do lots of things I didn’t think I can.” Great for those moments in life when your are timid or unsure of your path.
When was the last time you had an “E”-Factor moment in your life? It is time to schedule one isn’t it? Maybe it is as simple as a hike to a breathtaking vista or maybe it is bigger. Do you need to jump out of a plane? Go for it!
If you liked this post you will trip over yourself for these.
RESPECT THE RASPBERRY: CONSCIOUS EATING LEARNED FROM A TINY SPRITE
COMMITMENT: LESSONS LEARNED FROM A COUPLE WHO GOT MARRIED EVERYDAY
30 Responses
You hit the nail on the head! Mid-winter is a needed time for some sparkle -I need to go plan some fun! Thanks for such a great inspiration!
Thanks, LeeAnn and I know you can really sparkle! Go get ’em!
Your smile and sparkly eyes say it all!! Time for more “E” factor in my life!!
Love you Kerry! E-Factor would be a healing salve for you right now. What’s it going to be? Skydiving?
Ok, firstly, I love your idea of a yearly girls’ trip. Me and my college friends have been doing the exact same thing and we are on our seventh trip. We meet in a different city each year (we are spread across the US) and, in case you need a future venue, Newport, Rhode Island was unexpectedly awesome. Second, I love the idea of an EEEEEE factor, and you are so true. I need to stop letting grass grow between my feet for such long periods. Cheers!
I suspect we have a lot in common, girl! I would love to know what you plan for a little E Factor in the next little while! 🙂
So true. I think we just get caught up in our day to day and stay in our comfort area. I love the idea of trying things (sometimes) out of my normal comfort zone. Looked like the time of your life!!!
It was a blast and very memorable. Thanks for stopping by Jenn!
Loved this post, Heather! What fun you had. I know exactly what you mean about getting out there and living, especially if you’ve been feeling stuck. I need one of these days soon!
I agree Summer. So easy to let months go by going through the motions and tasks of our day. So important to schedule these ahead. I had a coach tell me once that you shoul have something scheduled every six weeks. I love that idea!
This looks so exciting! And I love your Gilligan’s Island reference 😉
You are the only one Becky!!!!!!! Good job! 🙂
That is so cool you get together for some fun every year. We used to that too… and we went somewhere (with aliases…) to have some girl-time – ohhh that was FUN. We should start up again, thanks for the reminder!!
Ha ha! I love that, Heather! Girl-time is essential, right??
Love this! I would also add… don’t document it! I mean take a few photos but also enjoy the moment! I see so many people getting caught up in trying to document everything in such detail they actually miss whats going on.
SO true!!!! Maya, that is a great point. I hate seeing that at concerts and events. More phones up in the air that arms!
What a great time! Some really get fulfillment from traveling and experiencing things alone, but for me I love that connection with people and sharing those incredible moments. What a great share – and yeah get out there and get squealing!!
For sure Vi! I like both but there is something about the connection with others right!
Haha I love how happy everyone looks! Gotta love a bit of EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Running on the beach with my dog is my favourite way to get mine 🙂
I love that!E-Moments with man’s best friend! 🙂 I love inline skating, wind in my hair and going super fast! EEEEEEEE!!!!!!
Oh how I adore this!!! I need more E factor in my life! Girlfriends always seem to bring that out in us though. I love that you take an annual trip with your gal pals. SO good for the soul! I want to come next year 😉
Ha ha! What is going to be your next E-Factor Chrissa? Name it and proclaim it!
I love this! I literally texted my best girlfriends from college to reminisce on our last eee moments after I read this. It was a few weeks ago at the beach house when we had a girls weekend. Love love love it =)
Oh Becki, that makes my heart happy! Thank you for sharing and thanks for commenting. 🙂
Looks like you had a whole lot of fun and adventure! I need to get out and do something adventure-y soon!
It is easy to let time go by, isn’t it? Schedule something fun soon!
I love this! You look so happy in that photo and I completely agree we all need a little more e-factor in our lives. My most recent one was riding go-karts with my husband and boys. So much fun and definitely needed. Thanks for this inspiring post!
Cara, that sounds like so much fun. I never did stuff like that with my parents. It is so cool you are inspiring their sense of adventure!
I definitely think that my latest E factor was the marathon! I want to do “E” factor stuff like yours though, it looks like so much fun!
Kegan, that is awesome. Definitely an E-Factor moment. Congratulations girl!