Surprise Yourself

Here is a heartfelt message to any of my friends and family who have become set in their ways with age (I have often become a victim to this disease myself): Remember that time you rode a bike for the first time? Or skated on ice for the first time? Or drove for the first time? Or flew in an airplane for the first time? Or kissed someone romantically for the first time? Or teed off in front of the clubhouse for the first time? Remember how scared you were at first? Remember how great it was after you got over those initial fears? Could you imagine not being able to ride a bike or get in an airplane today?

Let's be honest here: being set in our ways means we aren't giving ourselves the chance to try new ways to enjoy life. It means we may be missing out on creating new social connections, which have been proven to have a great positive effect on one's life. Change doesn't mean we lack integrity or are admitting our current life choices are wrong. Being open to change simply means we are making ourselves flexible to any challenges life throws at us. It means we are giving ourself a chance to enjoy this short life we have to the fullest. It means we can better handle those moments when we fall off our bike or shank our tee-off or are faced with a though problem in our lives. No one is perfect and no one will ever be perfect, but positive change allows us to incrementally become a better person. So, if there is one resolution you make this year, make it to open your mind and explore new challenges and ideas. To borrow the words of an extremely relevant song: you know, you might surprise yourself.