Feeling stressed, overworked, overly serious, generally exhausted? I have the perfect cure. Hang out with a youngster, or a puppy. Kids and puppies have boundless energy. They also want your undivided attention (and they deserve it!). I'm guessing that in no time you will forget about your stresses, even if temporarily. Give it a try!
Thanksgiving evening was beautiful. Stars were out, the air was crisp, and Morsel Chik and I worked off calories by playing outside with many of our nephews and their cousins. We took our FlashFlight® Disc-O outside, turned it on, and lit up the night. It didn't matter that it was dark out, save a bit of light coming from the house windows. The flying disc's LED illuminated its path. There was no way we'd miss it as it sailed toward us.
As with just about everything we do, we made a game out of it. At one point there were 8 of us playing catch. How many times could we catch it without dropping it? With a big group we only got up to 9 times in a row. After an hour or so, when everyone else had enough, my 10 year old nephew Joel stayed outside and the two of us set a new record of 33 consecutive throws and catches without a drop. Can you beat that?
The most important thing is that we were outdoors in the fresh air, burning calories, and laughing. It's a great way to Grow Young!
Think there's nothing to do on rainy days? Or that your best option is to veg in front of the TV with movies or your favorite show? Think again.
Rainy Day Activity #1: Get JIP'd (jump in puddles). Try it - it's very liberating. Don't worry about your hair, your clothes or anything else... just have fun! In Morsel Munk land, there are no bad hair days.
What are you afraid of? No really, it's not a rhetorical question. Write down your fears, and figure out how you're going to overcome them. There are so many things in life I've been afraid of, for different reasons. Fear of getting hurt, fear of rejection, fear of making a fool of myself. Of course I don't want to get hurt. But I've learned over the years that trying to live in a bubble just doesn't work.
Every time I put my fears aside and try something new, I feel an incredible sense of accomplishment. If you're doing something that can physically hurt you, take safety precautions - helmet, wrist guards, you get the idea. Yup, sometimes I get hurt. I've certainly been rejected, and have made a fool of myself. But I'm living!!!!!!! That's what it's about.
What are you going to try?
(To prove that I preach only what I live, check out my "Learn to Snowboard" thread under Munkventures.)
Limits are everywhere - speed limits, spending limits, ATM withdrawal limits. You get the idea. Limits serve a purpose, for sure. These particular limits protect us. Generally, though, I don't believe in imposing limits on people. I get frustrated when I hear people telling other people that it's not possible for them to do something. It's usually phrased, "it can't be done", or something along those lines. It's especially frustrating for me when I hear kids being told that it's not possible. You can't get into that school. You won't make the volleyball team. You're not good enough to make the orchestra. Let me ask you this - how do you know that's true?
Physical safety limits aside, I don't believe in even suggesting limits on what can be accomplished. Yes, failure might hurt. It hurts as much to experience as to witness. But failures build character. I've learned over my life, through trial and error, what my limits are. I'm also grateful that I defied the odds in so many cases and performed above and beyond what people thought was possible.
What do you think?
Morsel Chik
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