Nagging Thoughts

Has there ever been something you really wanted to do, but never had the nerve to? Something exciting or adventurous, like sailing around the world or ballroom dancing? Something quiet or reflective, like visiting shamans in Mongolia or studying art and sculpture in Rome? Or perhaps, something more subtle like trying a new career for a little while, giving up the same old thing temporarily and doing something completely different?

We all have those dreams inside of us. It�s not being unhappy or bored, it�s just that the world is such a big place, and we only have so much time. Why settle just because we�re good at something? You can be good at lots of things, and maybe that thing you haven�t tried yet is something you�d be better at that would bring you more happiness anyway.

The majority of us do the same thing every day, every year, for many, many years. We go to school, get a degree, settle in a job, a family, a routine and eventually retire, reaping the fruits of our labors. But that voice still nags. Ever notice that?

I�m in the middle stages of my labors with high school kids to run and 401Ks to fatten up. That voice nags at me all the time. My friends say it�s because I�m middle-aged, but I disagree, mostly. I care for a lot of people who are enjoying their fruits, and the ones that are the happiest went a little crazy whenever they had the chance. They�re the ones with that little extra sparkle in their eyes and that little wiggle in their hips, who wear nail polish called �I�m Not Really a Waitress� just because they can.

I used to think those folks were irresponsible, but now that I�m at the crust of financial and parental responsibility, I swear that voice is nearly hollering in my ear. We can be responsible and adventurous � or at least break out of the norm a bit.

I�ve been looking at colleges with my sons and trying to help them figure out their forever. I�ve decided to tip the scales a bit and encourage a little exploration with their education. A little philanthropy tossed in with an interesting part-time job, and a lot of meeting new people.

Because why not? What better way to discern our forever by trying out a few outrageous dreams first?

And that�s not advice just for college kids. We should all take a chance, trying something like teaching English overseas, being an advocate through CASA, getting your pilot�s license or reading books on tape for the blind.

If nothing else, take a year � just one year out of all the rest � and see what you can do with it. You might be surprised to find out that it becomes the best year of them all. If nothing else � no more nagging!