12,985
That's how many days I've been alive. I haven't even hit the 20,000 mark yet (that's roughly mid 50's). A few log posts back, I said I was going to get some books on risk taking. Well, I have yet to come across any that struck my fancy, so instead I reached out to a couple girl friends and asked them for some good reads.
One was "20,000 days and counting" by Robert D. Smith. It was a good book (probably 3.5 out of 5 stars). Not great, but good. Much of it was similar to things I had read before from others, most notably Zig Ziglar. Of course there were a few things that jumped out at me along the way.
A few things he talked about:
*living today as if it were your last
*doing things with intensity (which stuck out to me because, duh... my competitive nature)
*how motivation just doesn't work
*questions to get you moving and rolling in the right direction
The last chapter was a piece he had written. You see, he had basically locked himself in a hotel room for 2 days planning his next 20,000 days of his life... what he wanted to accomplish, what was important and how he was going to get there and live his life.
"Be your best self and do not imitate anyone else. Find your strengths. They are your talents. They will make you smile and cause you to experience real joy on the inside."
This stuck out because in a world of flashy social media, it's easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing. What people are doing to get more views and likes, what people in your same profession are doing to make money, and what other couples/parents/friends/gym buddies/kids/brothers/sisters are doing that make them look so happy. In reality... none of that matters because you are not them. Do you know what you're good at? Do you know what makes you really smile? Do others see it and know that "thing", whatever it is, is you?
"Create your own experiences. And know that you are creating memories for a lifetime."
This hit me like a ton of bricks. I was already emotional about something that had just happened and this pretty much slapped me in the face. A friend had been telling me this for sometime now... and this just sealed the deal as my head was starting to float away. Stay present. Make your own memories. Looking back, questioning what's ahead, neither of those are any good for your noggin. Come back to now. So that thing that was bothering you earlier... make it into a moment. A memory, an experience that is yours. Something that belongs to you. Now cherish it... because no one else gets that moment. It's unique to you and something you will have for a lifetime.
"You have to take chances to make your dreams reality. Face your fear head-on and move rapidly. Don't be afraid of making mistakes."
Well, this pretty much sums up the last two years of my life. Probably longer. The jobs I've taken, the moves I've made, the decisions I've made... definitely a lot of risks and fears involved in all of them. Mistakes along the way? Perhaps... but I also wouldn't be where I am today if I had not taken chances. All those decisions set me up to be exactly where I am today. And for that, I wouldn't change a thing.
"You must play full-out right now. Sit up. Hold your head high. Breathe deeply. Lift your chest up. Stand straight and with confidence. Dust yourself off. Stop being a party pooper in your own life. Smile. A bigger noticeable smile."
In all honesty, I read this part and thought, "Yep, sounds like some people I know... man, they need to stop being so negative and live life a little happier." And then I realized this is also me. I'm pretty happy most of the time. I love what I do. My kids are my pride and joy. And my friends make sure I laugh every day. But I have moments. And probably more than I'd like to admit. Moments where I get sad or feel defeated. Moments where I wonder if there's a light coming at the end of the tunnel... because I just don't see it. Moments where I throw myself a giant pity party and it's funny because I'm the only one that shows up. It's a lonely place to be. Sure, my support system listens... more than I could ever ask for. But hey, you... yep, you too Julia. Stop being a party pooper. Look around you. Look at all the good, the smiles, the lives you've touched and the relationships you've made. There's a LOT of good there. So smile about it. No, a real smile.
🙂
Next book: Jen Sincero's "You are a badass"