“An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.”

Let’s put inconvenient truths aside for just a moment. Instead, let’s explore the idea of inconvenient adventures. Gilbert Keith Chesterton — known more widely as G.K. Chesterton — was an English philosopher and writer from the late 19th century and early 20th century. In all, Chesterton authored dozens of books, hundreds of poems and short stories, several plays, and thousands of essays. To say he was prolific as a writer would be quite the understatement.

Living a Subjective Reality

The quote above really speaks to this notion that life is what we make of it. While we may not be able to control the exact circumstances, we at least have some control over how we choose to interpret it. Everything is about perspective. You may have hoped for a sunny day at the park, but the rain means you now have the opportunity to go puddle-jumping instead. It’s all about finding the silver lining and re-evaluating the situation through a different lens.

I came across the quote above while reading Creating Character Arcs by K.M. Weiland. That book is more about crafting compelling narratives, primarily in works of fiction, and the exploring the idea of the hero’s journey. The protagonist think they want something, but perhaps they really need something else. The inciting incident may start out as an inconvenience, pushing the character toward an adventure where they ultimately grow as a human. They see the world through a new light and re-evaluate their value system.

As Hamlet once said, “For there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”

The Problem of Privilege

Now, there is something big we need to address in the quote from G.K. Chesterton. While I am not especially familiar with his upbringing or wealth, as far as I can tell he maintained at least a comfortable standard of living. To this end, we can interpret the quote from a certain position of privilege. If your favorite restaurant runs out of chicken and you have to order the steak, it’s probably not the end of the world. It’s just inconvenient.

By contrast, if you get laid off from your job when you’re already living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to keep the lights on or put food on the table, that’s more than an inconvenience. It would be difficult to reframe such circumstances as the beginning of an “adventure” unless you had the means and resources to ride out that storm. Then, maybe seeking a new career could be an adventure.

To this end, perhaps we should only really apply the lesson of the G.K. Chesterton quote to the context of so-called life problems, or problems of privilege. No, things aren’t going to always go your way (nor should they). And you certainly can reinterpret some of the inconveniences in your life as opportunities or adventures. Some of the greatest memories arise when things don’t go according to plan. That’s when you’ll have stories to tell.

G.K. Chesterton on the Paradox of Courage

I’ll end today’s discussion with another quote from G.K. Chesterton, one I’d previously highlighted 10 years ago. Reinterpreting an inconvenience as the opportunity for adventure is one thing. Actually following through and pursuing that adventure, even if it makes you afraid, is another matter altogether.

“Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die.”

Do you have the courage to seek adventure from inconvenience?

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