Originally posted on MySpace Blog
If you're reading this, it means you're alive - in some sense of the word at least.
Earlier, I was chatting with an old friend and asked him a question along the lines of how the whole "being a father thing" was. (If I remember correctly his kid is somewhere around 3 or 4.) He said one of the coolest things is that the kid learns or discovers something new every day. I can picture it... The reaction. The innocence. The awe in discovering something that to us "adults" is so simple. Imagine a small child's eyes lighting up. The expression of utter delight when he or she discovers that by flipping this switch the whole room becomes illuminated, or the ceiling fan will spin. Many times, a giggle will accompany their new found knowledge. The whole situation is enough to make anyone smile.
So what happens to us on this journey called life? Do we learn too much? We become jaded and overly protective of one's self from experiences we had through childhood, society, various pressures. Many of us, as children, were told to reach for the stars. That one day we were going to be great. That a normal family is like "Leave it to Beaver" or "Donna Reed", etc. Then a few years later, after we get these big dreams and start actually thinking of or planning this future existence, They say, "Oh yeah, to achieve your dream you need to do/complete A,B,C...X,Y,Z." Not to mention all of those surprising life moments for which no one is ever prepared. Sometimes I think it's amazing that most of us can actually function on a day-to-day basis and unfortunately some can't without assistance or at all.
Those of you who know me probably aren't surprised by my "rant" above. You know that I'm a little jaded and that generally I'm a realist who may often fall towards the pessimist side. (However, there are many occasions where I offer that bit of positive spirit to try to keep your spirits up. Hell, there can't be two downers. I need someone to balance me out!)
Okay, okay... I'll move on to my point or whatever it should be called.
Years ago, I gave up the active planning of some portions of my life. I was just going to let it happen, or as I said "I'm just going to let it fall into my lap." Well it actually worked. For a while, I just went with the flow and as I look back there were moments totally like that child feeling the joy of learning something new. Then it happened... I started planning again. I was happily planning my future and then my future began. I kept looking to the next steps and most likely not truly taking the time to enjoy the step I where I was.
Currently, I have the honor (and I use the term loosely) of experiencing one of those surprise life moments/changes. After a little bit of planning to get through this mess, I am going back. I NEED to go back to letting life happen to me, not me telling life how to happen. (Well at this point, I'm half there.)
Take a moment and just think about some of the aspects of your life. Where are your stresses? How do we get back to that wide-eyed child who found joy in the little things? We are being dragged full-force into this holiday season, this hectic time of year. Find some time this season to let life happen to you. You may just find it's the best thing that could happen to you.
Well wishes and all that good stuff,
Franz
(Yes, I know I'm wordy. Get used to it!)
