It’s an imperfect science, but I have a new rule: No Alarm Clocks.
This isn’t always the best plan, like, say, Sunday, when I planned to run the Nashville Running Company’s 6 Mile trail race and woke up 8 minutes after the start time. But the good news is, you can always run 6 miles on trails – and that’s exactly what I did later that afternoon.
The trails in Shelby Park were an absolute mud bog, and I started by tip-toeing my way around the (less-muddy) edges like most of us do, but eventually found the nerve to start blasting through the ankle deep mud puddles. And you know what? A typical run, turned into a rush.
I threw caution to the wind and took advantage of what nature offered. And isn’t that what life is all about, creating experience?
A couple weeks ago I was listening to Colin Cowherd (who I love to hate) on ESPN radio. He was on an absolute rant about the difference between acquiring “stuff” versus experience. He said he was far more about life experience than “things.” He sees no point in buying expensive clothes, but is all-in on spending $5,000 to see a once in a lifetime event.
I totally agree with that in my gut, but it’s not always easy to for go stuff for an experience.
Not having a steady job for the last 8 months has been slowly adjusting my mind on this theory. I rarely crave stuff now because I can’t afford it. In fact, I’m trying to get rid of as much as possible. What I crave is, passion and experiences.
I just spent way too much money going to the Final Four, but guess what I did? I went to the Final Fucking Four! Pretty cool.
Three nights ago I went to a local restaurant and paid $19 for a plate of pasta. Last night I made pasta at home, by myself, for about $3. Guess which night was more enjoyable?
I have been stressing about a lot of things over the last 8 months; money, my future, my dreams, etc, but if there is one thing I wish I could remember more often it is: With right intention, problems have a way of working themselves out.
Life is about exposure to new situations, even (especially) if they make you uncomfortable. Creating experiences is our way of choosing who we become.
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