Being boring is a choice. Those
mild salsas and pleated khakis don’t buy themselves.
The Most Interesting Man in the World
A few months ago, I was having coffee with an
old mentor of mine. During our conversation, he mentioned how much he enjoyed watching
the Monaco Grand Prix on TV, to which I asked him why he had never seen it in
person. Keep in mind that this is a semi-retired Gent with no real obligations
or ties holding him back. His reaction let me know that he had never even
considered that possibility. You could see him mentally scanning for reasons
why he had never done this, yet came up blank. He then realized he had become a
victim to his own stagnation.
We tend to complain about how boring our lives
are when compared to others, especially in this overly connected world of
social media personal marketing. We see what others are doing, their exploits
and adventures, and are left with little more than petty envy. Yet the very
choices we do every day condemn us to our boring existence.
Sure, that 20 hour Netflix marathon or that 15 hour gaming run might be fun, but isn’t there something better to do with your day than spending it stuck on a sofa, eating the same pizza and ice-cream? After it ends, you are left with what? Memories of a TV series of someone else’s life or of the adventures than never happened in your real life?
Go out and live! Every action and every decision you take today determine how your reality tomorrow. Challenge yourself constantly. Expose yourself to new people and new experiences. That is the only way to truly expand your horizons.
And this begins with the small things in life. That lady you walk by the street every day in your way to work, wondering if you will ever be brave enough to talk to her. Start by giving her a smile and see where it goes from there. Next time you are thinking about going out, go to a different place than your usual spot. That place you keep Googling about, that country whose culture you are so fascinated about? Visit it. At best you will love it, at worst it will make an interesting story to tell.
Sure, that 20 hour Netflix marathon or that 15 hour gaming run might be fun, but isn’t there something better to do with your day than spending it stuck on a sofa, eating the same pizza and ice-cream? After it ends, you are left with what? Memories of a TV series of someone else’s life or of the adventures than never happened in your real life?
Go out and live! Every action and every decision you take today determine how your reality tomorrow. Challenge yourself constantly. Expose yourself to new people and new experiences. That is the only way to truly expand your horizons.
And this begins with the small things in life. That lady you walk by the street every day in your way to work, wondering if you will ever be brave enough to talk to her. Start by giving her a smile and see where it goes from there. Next time you are thinking about going out, go to a different place than your usual spot. That place you keep Googling about, that country whose culture you are so fascinated about? Visit it. At best you will love it, at worst it will make an interesting story to tell.
Keep in mind I am not talking about the stupidity
of YOLO, doing something without taking into consideration the repercussions of
our actions. I am talking about CARPE DIEM, my friends. Seize the day. Take
actions thinking about the memorability of it, how it's repercussions will resonate till the day you die. What stories will you tell your
grandchildren? What grand adventure will you relate in your memoirs? What will anecdote
will they tell during your eulogy?
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