Last fall we took an African Safari. Prior to leaving, several friends, raved about their safari experiences, claiming that it was their most epic vacation, and numero uno on a list of several destinations.

When I asked why… One friend said it was because of the animals.

Interesting. I LOVE animals, but I’ve been to the zoo and and wildlife parks. How could simply being in Africa create an epic vacation?

Once we were on our safari I realized that:

• In both the zoo and the wildlife park – You arrive whenever it’s convenient for you, but it may be after the animals have eaten breakfast, played, and are resting. (Which isn’t nearly as exciting as it could be.)
• In the wildlife parks – You don’t know what’s coming, but you drive in a car with the window up and look at the animals.
• At the zoo – You have a map and signs to follow, so no matter how magnificent the animals are, you know what’s coming next.

In Africa:

• We were up early – to be out when the animals were moving.
• We drove in an open jeep. No doors, no windows, no roof – nothing to limit our view or our experience.
• Each time we turned a corner we had absolutely no idea what we’d see. …Maybe a dust cloud, maybe one giraffe, an entire herd of elephants, or a new baby zebra.

We felt like kids that were on a grand adventure as feelings of anticipation, curiosity, awe and joy bubbled out of us – each time we discovered another group of animals in their natural surroundings.   …Playing, eating, exploring, and even roaring.

Several years ago I had lunch with a lady that had recently been asked to serve on the same board I had been asked to serve on.

For more than an hour we talked about the current state of the organization, the needs we had identified so far, the things we were trying to understand and figure out, the challenges we were facing and what we needed to do about them.  She was brilliant, witty, passionate and fully engaged in our conversation.

As we both prepared to head back to our offices she observed that although we had worked through the entire lunch, she felt like we were kids that had just had a play date. 

She was spot on!  We’d been like curious children exploring “what was” and “what could be”.  Our brains had been challenged, our passions ignited, a friendship was forming, and we were solving problems!

“ What if… Challenging conversations made us light up, like children at play?

I have frequently written about current issues that cause division and need solutions:

• Two weeks ago I shared specific reasons that each of us needs to learn to think at a higher level
• And last week I shared reasons that we need to be engaging in rich and meaningful dialogue with people that don’t agree with us

Instead of difficult dialogues:

“ What if… We would learn how to have “conversation safaris” that feel like adventures?

Imagine…

• Climbing into open jeep, instead of a car with the windows rolled up.
• Driving without a map, knowing you will enter unknown territory.
• Risking feeling vulnerable, so that you can feel like a child that is exploring, discovering, learning and filled with joy.
• Being curious instead of judgmental – And talk about what that roar means, why that elephant is in the road, which animals are predictable and which ones are not, and if that vulture is good or bad…
• Anticipating that this adventure will delight you, challenge you, build relationships and lead to real problem solving.

Sound like fun?  Then begin seeking others that don’t believe everything you believe and invite them to have an adventure with you!  

“ And in all conversations… Always prepare to be amazed. —CELESTE HEADLEE

Want more on this topic?

Do you have the courage to let them speak their truth?

Image Credits –Vacation Photos Kapama Game Reserve