Pulled right from the pages of Wikipedia, an adventure is an “activity that comprises risky, dangerous and uncertain experiences. The term is more popularly used in reference to physical activities that have some potential for danger, such as skydiving, mountain climbing and extreme sports. The term is broad enough to refer to any enterprise that is potentially fraught with risk, such as a business venture or a major life undertaking. An adventurer is a person who bases their lifestyle or their fortunes on adventurous acts.”

As I prepared my thoughts for this month's column, I thought a lot about what adventure is and what it means to each of us. As you've read from Wikipedia, it can be something as specific as the obvious risky activities or something as general as what you might perceive as risky. For some, that might be as simple as stepping out your door and taking a run around your neighborhood. If you've never done that before, you will probably approach it with some level of trepidation, the uncertainty of successful completion in the balance. For others who have lived their life on the edge, there is no such sensation, the adventurous behavior becomes what defines them and astounds others.

What's great about all this is that we can make of it what we choose. Just look at the items that follow in this edition:

What part of Ronnie Dickson's life cannot be defined as an adventure? His life-changing decision to have his leg amputated has allowed him to go places and do things that would not have been otherwise possible. We think adventure; Ronnie thinks life.

Or how about the Coastal Challenge, a six-day "race" that covers more than 200 kilometers of Costa Rica's roughest terrain? Please note the quotes as it's a bit difficult for me to describe what is clearly a battle of survival as a competition. As if competing with yourself is not enough, you have to contend with other adventure enthusiasts from all over the planet! We think insanity; they think why not?

And then there's the Tough Guy. Marty Dugard participates in this event and comes away with a huge dose of self satisfaction, once again quieting that voice of fear that resides deep within all of us. We think lunatic; Marty thinks what will I try next?

As I noted earlier, adventure truly is what we make of it. Within each of us is the opportunity to inject appropriate doses of it into our everyday lives. For some, a couple of "drops" is enough to send us off the deep end; for others, there's just not enough of it to go around!

Go forth and adventure!