HUNT Old English huntian “chase game,” related to hentan “to seize,” from Proto-Germanic *huntojan (cf. Gothic hinþan “to seize, capture,” Old High Germanhunda), from PIE *kend-. General sense of “search diligently” (for anything) is first recorded c.1200.Related: Hunted ; hunting.

Superheros by day , bear trappers by night.

This winter break I hunted for bears. Well…okay there were no traps, or guns, or bears for that matter, but try telling my six and seven year old cousins this. Once the sun had set at my Aunt’s lake house in Northern Minnesota, we strapped flashlights on our heads and went to “hunt down” a bear. They created a story on the spot about a baby bear that we had to rescue/trap because his mother wanted him home. While searching for tracks, crunching along the side of the frozen lake, both their imagination and determination was hilarious and refreshing. I was struck again by this determination as my eleven-year-old sister went on her own hunt for…can you guess? Yep. Mini hand sanitizers. She has always found unique things to collect- from her obsession with Michael Jackson videos…to mini Kleenex packs… and the most recent mini hand sanitizer frenzy. She made sure to scrounge clearance, put them on her Christmas list, and delighted in each addition to her growing collection.  Though I agree it’s a bit eccentric – you can’t beat her smile or excitement at hunting down these $3 treasures.

proud sissy with her hand san collection

What are you hunting for these days? So often as adults we give up the hunt that we relished in as youth. You may settle in your relationship, your career, your health or your life in general. I see 24 year olds taking up jobs that will last them 30 more years and they don’t even like them! I see friends getting married at young ages claiming they are tired of “the hunt”. As I watched my kiddo family members hunt with determination, I realized that not only is their joy in the hunt- but also a joy in the result when you put forth the effort. You use your imagination, your wit, and your creativity to achieve the desired result. Not only is the journey fun, but it makes the “kill” that much more enjoyable.  It may mean taking up a cooking class because you’ve always had a way in the kitchen OR maybe deep diving into a city like DETROIT where dreams , creativity, and relationships collide into some amazing business ventures.  In 2015, I hope to embrace my inner child a bit more and release any fear during the journey. Don’t have a resolution yet? How about instead of rolling over and waving a sad white flag in 2015, take this time to sharpen your sword, strap on a head flashlight, and begin your own hunt. Who knows? You may just find your life passion..or some great smelling lemon hand sanitizer 😉