Thrill vs. Tranquility: Choices, Costs, And Consequences: Join My 365-Day Peaceful Photo Challenge
DAY 313. Living with irrevocable differences and curating peace through contemplative photography.
July 11, 2025
During my recent solo hike on Little Bay Road, on Tortola, BVI, I was torn between being immersed in nature and infused in the peace of the panoramic scenes I knew would appear before me, and listening to the nagging voice urging me at first to stay back, and then to turn around and go no further.
Weighing the risks involved, I balanced what I might gain — self-confidence, experience, perspective, and a story that would write itself — and what I might lose — safety and possibly making a poor choice — on a fulcrum.
My adventure reminded me of another moment earlier in my travels that I had written about but had not shared yet:
We were all captivated, our eyes riveted on a man soaring above the water, harnessed to a jet ski by a long hose. He was flyboarding, performing acrobatic feats that mesmerized onlookers.
With a fear of heights and not being the best swimmer, I knew without thinking, I would not take the flyboarding risk. I chose observation over participation.
Watching the flyboarder daringly glide, twist, and flip above the bay, I thought of his choice of risk over caution, and mine of observation over participation.
Every choice we make carries costs and consequences, and the decision-making must incorporate our thresholds for risk alongside our search for peace.
Consider decisions such as which jobs we take, how many hours we work, and who or what we nurture or neglect. What sacrifices do we make for our ambitions or wellness, and how do we respond to, support, love, and fight for others?
Four years ago, after giving myself my first real vacation, I committed to regular getaways, along with prior practices of mindfulness, quiet walks, and exercise. These have become integral to my well-being and, in turn, have positively influenced those around me.
Interestingly, another vacationer who later chose the thrill of flyboarding ended up in a cast and on crutches, illustrating that all choices do carry inherent risks.
What experiences have led you to reconsider your decisions? How can you support others facing their risks?