Keep The Ball Rolling
I can't recall a new year that feels as sluggish as 2021 does to me. I'm in waiting mode, especially for my vaccination and a chance to get back to normal. Time seems to be crawling, knowing that it will be months before my turn for the shot, and longer for others. We're almost there, and the finish line is just out of reach.
Years ago, Joan Nesbit Mabe was the motivational speaker for the Chapel Hill YMCA's Capital Campaign. We were near the end, and energy was flagging. Joan gathered us in a large circle and rolled a ball across the floor. Of course, the ball rolled at a brisk pace when it left her hand, but slowly, slowly, the ball came to a stop. Joan's message was that new energy has to be applied to reach the finish line.
Obvious right? New energy has to be applied, and that seems to be in short supply right now. Well, I recently came across an exercise that offered me new energy. Plus, it was fun.
The Challenge:
List 27 things you want to experience in the next 10-15 years.
Why 27 things? I have no idea, but I found it very difficult to get past five things. Maybe it's the searching for the next 22 things that made this exercise difficult and fun. Coming up with 27 things required me to think bigger, broader, and farther into the future.
I thought about arty things I still want to do:
Play the Cello
Understand Classical Music
Take Ballroom dance lessons
Build an outdoor sculpture for the backyard
Some physical experiences I want to take on:
Learn how to volley in tennis successfully
Practice yoga daily
Hit my ideal weight
Go on a 3-night backpacking trip
Cardio exercise daily
Nice things I have forgotten or put on the back burner:
Write one note of appreciation to my family and friends weekly
Host weekly dinner parties (post covid)
See my kids more frequently
Consistently tend to my garden
Actually bring casseroles to friends in need instead of thinking that I should
Add more birdhouses to the yard
Increase the vegetarian dishes in my recipe rotation
Listing these things and a few others gave me a burst of energy and optimism. The act of writing out 27 things got me thinking about how I want to create my future.
This list has reminded me of where to add texture, adventure, learning, and deeper connections.
I invite you to take 15 minutes and write out your list of 27 things to experience. Give that slowing ball a push to move you to a happy, fun, "normal" 2021 that we're all anticipating.