On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love sent to me … a whole bunch of really cool stuff that would be tough to fit into a gift box.

What a great metaphor for our December 2015 issue of Be Inkandescent magazine, where we’re embracing adventure — and the many nuances of what that means for small business-owners.

In this month’s Quotes column, we celebrate the lyrics first published in England in 1780, and use it as a jumping-off point to bring you 12 adventure-focused quotes that we hope will inspire you as you bring your year to a close.

Happy Holidays! Here’s to having a great adventure. — The Inkandescent team

12 Drummers drumming: “Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” — Helen Keller

11 Pipers piping: “We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” — Jawaharlal Nehru

10 Lords a-leaping: “The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure.” — Christopher McCandless

9 Ladies dancing: “It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves — in finding themselves.” — André Gide

8 Maids a-milking: “It’s like Forrest Gump said, ‘Life is like a box of chocolates.’ Your career is like a box of chocolates — you never know what you’re going to get. But everything you get is going to teach you something along the way and make you the person you are today. That’s the exciting part — it’s an adventure in itself.” — Nick Carter

7 Swans a-swimming: “Sailing is the closest I can get to nature — it’s adrenaline, fear, a constant challenge and learning experience, an adventure into the unknown. And of course there is nothing better than wearing the same T-shirt for days and not brushing my hair for weeks.” — Daria Werbowy

6 Geese a-laying: “A tramp, a gentleman, a poet, a dreamer, a lonely fellow, always hopeful of romance and adventure.” — Charlie Chaplin

5 Golden rings: “Anytime I feel lost, I pull out a map and stare. I stare until I have reminded myself that life is a giant adventure, so much to do, to see.” — Angelina Jolie

4 Calling birds: “Life experience is what defines our character, even if it means getting your heart broken or being lied to. You know, you need the downs to appreciate the ups. Going on the adventure or taking that risk is important.” — Nev Schulman

3 French hens: “It is in the compelling zest of high adventure and of victory, and in creative action, that man finds his supreme joys.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

2 Turtledoves: “Every production of an artist should be the expression of an adventure of his soul.” — W. Somerset Maugham

And a partridge in a pear tree: “It’s time to say goodbye, but I think goodbyes are sad and I’d much rather say hello. Hello to a new adventure.” —_ Ernie Harwell_

Sources: brainy quote, wikipedia, image from flickr