What's Your Water?

2 goldfish were swimming in their bowl, when an elder fish swam by and asked, "How's the water today, boys?" One fish turned to the other and asked, "What's water?"

You see, as we go through our day, we get so used to our surroundings that we don't stop to think about our "water". Our days so often seem so menial, benign and unproductive. Our alarm goes off, we get up, brush our teeth, prepare for our day, eat breakfast, go to work, eat lunch, go back to work, leave from work, get caught in traffic, get home, eat dinner, maybe watch some T.V., get ready for bed, brush our teeth, go to bed. Only for the next day to repeat the process. Then the next day. Then the next. Then the next. Nothing changes and you're on the daily grind when days compose weeks, weeks compose months and months compose years, and before you know it-- you're looking at your life and wondering, "Where the fuck did time go? And why haven't I done anything significant?"

I've stood idle for a year and a half. Same job, minor life changes (a move from Florida to Illinois-- sounds significant, but major aspects of my life are exactly the same) and I've still not finished school. That's a must for me now. But, until yesterday, I didn't totally realize how idle I've been. I left my life as I knew it a year and a half ago to become a nanny, and in that time, it seems everyone and everything has changed around me... Except me. Morgan was 2 months old when I started, and I have watched her grow into a bright, stubborn, pain in my ass (that I love so much) toddler. I've watched friends get married, have kids, -or worse- both! I've watched friends get big kid jobs, accepted to grad school, move to a different state, go abroad for new adventures, begin their lives.... And it goes on and on.

All of this is happening while I stand back in awe thinking, "Man, I wish I could be doing all of that right now." Except, here's the thing, I can be. In the past I've found myself annoyed with people who are curious about how I am "doing it," when it comes to traveling from place to place and experiencing new cultures, areas and jobs. Those annoying people who say, "I wish I could but..." No.  There's absolutely no "but" involved. I recently read an article that stated, "Yeah, but..." is someone's way of making it seem like a noble excuse that they aren't traveling, or taking advantage of an awesome opportunity.  "Yeah but what about school?" "Yeah but what about a job?" "Yeah but I have a plan I need to follow." "Yeah but what about my family and friends?"

Let me just begin by saying, never ever be so faithful to your plan that you are unwilling to entertain improbable opportunity that may come looking for you. School will be there when you get back. Seriously, it is not going to uproot itself. And, if that actually does happen, I promise you, I will shit myself because I will be in a dumbfounded stupor on your behalf. Jobs will always present themselves. I know now in this economy things are tough and jobs are difficult to come by; but I can also guarantee you that along your travels you will network, you will find references, people who will offer you a job or knows someone who knows someone. At the very least, your stories and places you've been will impress potential employers. And if you are worried about your family and friends not encouraging you to travel or to take advantage of bigger opportunities or simply support you in bettering yourself... Then with friends and family like them, then who needs friends or family? It's their job as people in your life-- just like it's your job in theirs-- to support you, encourage you and guide you even if you're doing (or going to do) something stupid. Then when the inevitable does happen, and you make a mistake, help you through it. 

Life is about making mistakes. You learn from them. You grow. You don't become a different person unless you do something different and test the waters. So date the wrong people. Hell, date more than one person at a time. Take a life-altering trip that you spend all your money on. Take a random job out of state. You will learn more about yourself by doing things like this than you will by staying in your comfort zone. We all have dreams, ambitions, desires and we are all capable of obtaining them... It's just a matter of how much you truly want them. 

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step” – Martin Luther King, Jr. Be willing, and avoid worry. It may be scary, but life is about choices. Make them, and stand by your convictions. Others may question you, but if you know you are doing what's best for you, then their opinion doesn't matter. A warm and  fuzzy article like this about dreaming bigger doesn't do much if you don't implement what you learn. Be willing to jump in the middle, and work stuff out along your way. Thats what separates the doers, from the dreamers, right? Nothing is ever going to be perfect timing and sometimes things get messy but, luckily, as we have done all our life- you adapt. And if you do hit a bump in the road, don't ever think for a second that you don't have the grace, fortitude and resiliency to rethink and adapt.  Test yourself! Go! Take a leap of faith! And at the very least keep a little space in your heart, and an open mind, for the improbable opportunities. 

I don't know about you, but I know that I am not willing to live a mediocre life and dream of being somewhere different while I remain stationary because I'm comfortable. Im going to avoid the complacent and safe life, and aim for learning and adventure. So, the planning begins for me today. By this time next year, my life will be totally different. Stay tuned and watch.