On Being Reckless

Driving home to the Valley

I know there are a few in my circles of friends and family that wish/think I should wait to get married. Though they don't use the word, I know they consider me a little reckless. So let's talk about this. 

According to Dictionary.com, reckless means: "utterly unconcerned about the consequences of some action; without caution; careless." Quite the contrary I am deeply invested in the consequences of this action. I have shipped my life (15 boxes and soon 5 suitcases) to the other side of the world. I have procured employment and the proper paperwork. I am not just moving to another city or state to make a life with this man. The time and money and energy invested illustrates intention (a type of caution, is it not?) And there is only OODLES of care invested. From him to me, and from me to him.

Digging a little deeper, the Oxford English Dictionary defines it as: "Heedless of or indifferent to the consequences of one's actions; lacking in prudence or caution; willing or liable to take risks; rash, foolhardy; irresponsible."

All I can to that is that YES, I am willing to take risks. But as there are multiple hearts involved, I've made every choice with incredible responsibility. And this has not happened overnight. It's been months in the making. 

As I drove home from my Bon Voyage party late Saturday night, I thought a lot about the meaning of reckless. Primarily, I thought about what happens if one opts to NOT be a little reckless from time to time. Think of the people we admire throughout history--for actions big or small. I'll give you a list of a few to consider for this exercise (those bolded are some of my favs): Joan of Arc, MLK Jr, Queen Elizabeth I, Amelia Earhart, Gandhi, Georgia O'Keeffe, Rosa Parks, Sacagawea, Patrick Henry, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Harriet Tubman, Lewis & Clark, Anne Frank, the Dalai Lama. Shoot....even all of the religious/spiritual folks--Jesus, Buddha, Muhammed, Confucius, etc. All of these people were reckless in some way or manner. Think of young Anne Frank scribbling away in her diary, unknowingly documenting to inform the world.

Now, do not misunderstand me. I would never argue for being reckless with the heart or emotions of another. Nor do I think we should be reckless when young souls are involved. We should always assess the impact of our choices--for ourselves and all of those that could/may be impacted. I do not argue for a general disregard. However, I do think that if we desire a path that does not resemble the general route for someone of our age, generation, locale....then it may require a spoonful of recklessness to MAKE IT HAPPEN. It's the whole "Go big...or go home" attitude. When I first began to consider moving to Mongolia--sometime in October--I attempted to dismiss it. To qualify it as crazy. But my heart knew that IF we were gonna make a go of it, me moving there was the right choice. And then I simply thought, "And why not?" 

Sunrise over the FVS Prairie ("magic in it.")

As for the marriage.....it may seem reckless to those on the outside. I can see that. I have not yet known this man for one year. But I DO know him better than I've known any other man in my lifetime. We know one another beyond the intellectual and emotional realms. We know each other soulfully. My heart and soul is at home, at rest, when I am in his orbit. And I daresay he feels the same about me. This is not reckless for us--it is simply home and right.