My friend Henry, a financial analyst by day, is less than thrilled with his work situation. High stress and long hours mean that he usually looks like he hasn’t slept for a year, and he usually hasn’t. Most weekends Henry sleeps late, takes care of errands, laundry, dry cleaning, a bit of cleaning, and then sleeps some more. The goal on days off is to recover and get ready for the next week of more of the same. But on long weekends and vacations he somehow finds the energy to literally climb mountains. Henry travels around the world, scaling some of its highest peeks. When he talks about his adventures, his face lights up like a candle. Gone are tired, bored, blood shot eyes, replaced by sparkle and a quick and easy smile.
My friend Rachel, is an entrepreneur, who works 7 day a week, trying to take a new business to the next level. As anyone who has ever tried to start and run a new business knows, it is all consuming, exhausting work. You are accountant, marketing guru, IT expert, janitor, receptionist, and any other job that needs to be done. You are responsible for everything, all the time. Money is also almost always tight, so you cut out dinners out with friends, manicures, new clothes, and anything else that's not business related. So I was thrilled to get Rachel’s e-mail about a recent excursion to the ice rink. Rachel took up short track speed skating as an adult, and had put it aside in recent months in deference to her business. Speed skating certainly isn’t a cheap hobby, and it also requires a significant time investment. But I literally felt the joy coming through the computer as she described being back at the rink, and how sore she was from her first workout in months.
All these stories got me thinking. What is it about stepping out of the box, trying something new that makes us come alive?
I’ve mentioned in a previous blog that I started taking
dance classes again after a long absence. I can’t find words to describe how
much fun I have. I practically run out of the office to class after work. And I
find lately I have much more energy for the rest of life. Earlier this week, I aggravated
an old back injury. I sit and write this morning battling a bit of depression having
missed classes most of this week. If I don’t get my tap shoes back on I don’t
know what I will do.
Doing new or different, particularly after
you’ve reached your 40s or 50s, as Hannah, Henry, Rachel and I all have, isn’t always
easy. I can hear people saying I have a job to do, bills to pay, a family to
care for, etc. I don't have time to climb mountains. But doing something just for you, that makes
your heart sing, no matter what your age, no matter how much time you have, seems to go a long way toward making life
more interesting and the everyday stuff more manageable. Can't go for a hike? Walk or drive a new route to work. Can't take a trip to Italy? Steal 20 minutes at lunch time to try the new local espresso bar. Can't afford a course in something new? Turn off the tv and read a book on the subject. There are a million little ways to keep things interesting. And hey, if it makes you laugh and smile, it has to be worth the investment.
What do you do to keep life interesting?
Become a member or follow by email and share the ways you keep life interesting.
I hope you'll come back soon!
Kellie
artofliving@kellietabron.com
