The Secret of Actually Living

There’s alot of talk about being planned, disciplined, sensible and efficient these days. On this blog I’ve even argued that to really do big things, we need to be  laser-focused on those things. From doing the right things, to creating habits and being consistent and ordinary.

But in pursuit of our goals, I fear that we will be so focused on results that we will blow right past the things that actually matter.

NEWSFLASH -

• At your funeral, friends will not reminisce about the killer Power Point presentations you missed birthdays to create
• Your wife won’t lovingly recall how you said no to flowers because your cash-envelope system mandated that you sock that extra $10 away for the 401K.
• Nor will your grandkids marvel at your ability to multi-task as you send e-mails on your iPhone with one-hand and mindlessly flip the pages of their favorite book with the other.

I have just a few memories from my childhood that are crystal-clear, seems-like-it-was-yesterday type memories. One of them was a ski-trip my Dad took me on when I was 12.

I cherish that week because -

• If my dad wanted to be efficient he would of brought me AND my brother and gotten 2 for 1 on dad/son time
• If he wanted to stay on budget he would not pulled out a $20 to play Area 51 on arcade with me
• If he wanted to be productive he would of pushed me to ski more vertical feet, but instead cheered me on as I hiked a dinky jump on a side hill
• If he wanted to be responsible, he would of taught me a lesson when I balked at the ‘adult’ items on the upscale restaurant menu. Instead he asked the kitchen to cook me up some chicken fingers and fries.

Most of all, I cherish it because it didn’t make “sense” to take a 12-year old to an expensive lodge in some of the most epic ski terrain on earth. But he did anyway.

And wouldn’t you believe it! The lessons I learned aren’t what most of us fear when we live outside the lines. My takeaway wasn’t – “spend money you don’t have”, “don’t plan” and “be irresponsible”. Instead, I heard – work hard, bless people and live life with a little flavor.

Thanks Dad.

QUESTION: Where have you gotten too rigid? What can you do to really start living?

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