It's interesting how my readers
digest this daily tidbit. Some
ravenously devour it shortly
after awakening. Others linger
over a cup of coffee or a glass
of wine. A few of you even sit
down and savor an entire week
in one sitting. Given I spend an
hour or so a day spewing what
comes to mind, I find the idea
of reading multiples en masse
overwhelming. Yet however
you choose to join in, so be it!
Maybe it's like nibbling out of a tin
of candy. One is never quite certain
of what lies beneath the wrapper.
Therefore one can be somewhat of
an adventurer knowing that whatever
the outcome it will be if nothing else
sweet. I'm anything but a capricious.
Being a Taurean, my feet are firmly
planted on the ground and if needed
ready to stamp loudly if I don't get
my way. By my very nature surprises
are not of interest. Hence I avoid the
unexpected if and whenever possible.
Frank on the other hand must have
been a world explorer in a former
life. When we prepare for vacation
I try to plan, chart, and book every
step of the way far in advance.
Whereas my better half prefers to
board on a plane, land someplace
new, take a look around, and then
finally try to get a room in a hotel
of his liking. The very thought of
which makes me palpitate. How
did this roué become so sedentary?
I've lost my mojo and can't get up!
How many of you are true adventurers?
Is anybody else capable of risking it all
in a culture that encourages abstinence
from any risk? Years ago Frank ordered
a rare steak and eggs over easy. A few
minutes later, our waitress reappeared.
And asked Frank to sign his name next
to his rare request on the order ticket.
She explained that the owners required
this as protection against any lawsuit
should somebody get ill. How are we
to get anyplace but here if we're afraid
to stretch beyond our comfort zones?!
Hopefully such silliness is the rare
exception instead of business as usual.
Given all of the Steak Tartar and cold
center steaks I've devoured - I'm not
inclined to assume anybody needs to
protect me from myself. Have we all
forgotten that making choices is the
individual's responsibility and nobody
else's? Today a Big Brother mentality
permeates our society. Thus it's easier
to blame Russian spies for our error in
chief rather than do whatever it takes
to insure he doesn't happen again!
Even if given the chance, I doubt I'd
opt for anything on the edge except
when it comes to cuisine. Rarely has
there been a time when I regretted
tasting something new. There's little
risk involved given that if I don't like
it, I can always spit it out. Where I'm
challenged is in applying that same
approach to broader areas of my life.
No wonder there are times when I
wonder what I've been missing. Who
knows what's next?! Isn't it better to
leap forward rather than fall in line?
For an old guy like me - I struggle
with conquering the status quo. Is
my complacency fueled by the fact
that I'm jaded, experienced, savvy,
and hence all too comfortable. If
life is an endless journey, why do
I resist stretching my boundaries?
How and why did I get lulled into
such a mundane frame of mind?
Am I afraid of being disappointed?
Or is it time to risk it all and poke
a stick into life's cage? Who knows
what will happen? It's time to see...
