Spring is in the air! The birds are chirping, the flowers are growing, students are graduating, people are moving; to put it simply, the times they are a changing. If it is not here for you already, Summer is coming! If you’re like me, you’re sad the snow dances won’t see their fruit until late fall BUT days filled with hard work, t-shirts, shorts, tan lines, friends, and great adventures including personal victories and personal defeats are ahead of us!
I’ve never heard anyone say, “I want this Summer to be less inspiring than the last.” Life may not get easier but we should definitely become more aware of how to push and enjoy ourselves. I’m going to guess that becoming a better person and having more fun are two of your priorities in life. But how do we become better or have more fun if we keep doing the same or even similar things?
Every year since I received my drivers license at the age of 16 I have talked & talked & talked about how I want to go on a road trip to see several new areas of the country and camp at each destination while visiting some friends along the way. However, every summer my story was the same. I was either broke or busy. This winter while “in the weeds” washing dishes at Le Bosquet (Congratulations to Candace and Victor for selling the restaurant after 42 years of business) I decided I would sacrifice going out and eating out as often so I could save to go on that month long road trip. I would START disciplining my expenses, I would STOP having an excuse this year, and I would CONTINUE working hard while piecing together a trip that has been on my bucket list. I wanted this road trip so badly that I skied over the last month of the season on a ski that was missing 5 inches of edge on one side and another 5 inches on the other. While I wouldn’t recommend that to anyone, I did what I could with what I had at that moment in time, all the while envisioning a road trip!
The road trip that I envisioned came to life as an incredible 3-week adventure with my girlfriend and Co-Pilot Gina. Long story short, I camped in 4 states, visited California & Idaho for the first time, explored 5 national parks, experienced my first wine tastings, spent time with my sister’s family, my best friend, my college roommate, missed a lot of good people along the way, and met so many incredible strangers with fascinating stories that put me in awe of them and life.
I think one of the most important lessons I learned from this trip is that it is good to be inspired by others, be in awe of others, be influenced by others in a positive fashion, and to admit that other people are better than you at certain things. It’s about connecting with your strengths, letting the ego go, and realizing where you have room to improve. It’s also about finding gratitude for each situation you encounter. For instance even though I don’t find dishwashing and Herbalife sales to be my life calling I am grateful for those opportunities because they got me to where I am today.
In grad school, after I would meet with each client I learned to journal. Part of that journal process that I found I got the most out of was the Start, Stop, and Continue section. Something I continue to incorporate into my practice and daily life. It means admitting to myself daily I am good in some areas, I struggle in others, but I have the OPPORTUNITY to change and enhance myself while helping enhance the lives around me.
As we move into a new season and new adventures this spring and summer what do you wish to START, STOP, & CONTINUE? I challenge you to write it out.
Look for new blog posts in the upcoming weeks on what I would Stop, what I would Start, and what I would Continue from my travels. I think you’ll find you and your sport can relate to them!
Cheers,
Zac
