September 24, 2017
What if it’s not on the list?
I’ve written more than 1 blog about having many and varied hobbies, habits, things I do. Some things I do easily, some require effort. Doing 1 thing only, however passionate I may be about it, doesn’t work for my soul.
I love learning about and trying new things. Sometimes, I get caught up to the detriment of all else.
That’s what today is about, mostly, how things start taking a false priority, and bump the things I said were important to the bottom of the list.
So, what if it’s not on the list?
I went to a golf tournament recently. In a weak moment, I accepted the invitation and then something started to happen.
That happy, carefree golf date started to morph into something…scary.
I suddenly, (how did I forget?) remembered that I hadn’t golfed in, could it be(?), 10 years and probably 3 before that. I, in fact, was never a great, good or, let’s face it, passable golfer.
I started to worry about making a fool of myself, swinging and missing, having a dreadful time.
I managed a driving range visit before the game and ended up with fantastic teammates, all of whom had golfed for years. I managed to let it all go.
I let go of that panicky, pit of the stomach feeling and the sense that I would be a failure.
I willingly accepted the coaching and encouragement. I got off enough decent hits that I remembered….aaaah..golf can be awesome.
Then it happened. I started doing the mental re-arrangement of my already FTB (fit to burst) schedule to fit in driving range practice, imagining that next summer I could golf weekly, take golfing holidays…
What?
And I took a deep breath and said no.
I get it.
I get golf is awesome.
Tap dancing is awesome.
Extreme frisbee is awesome.
Achieving mastery at anything is, well, awesome.
And it takes time and dedication and maybe for a while, that laser focus I so often struggle with.
None of those things, however much they draw me at the moment of contact, are on my list.
So, no.
I have things I want to do and be and get better at and expand upon.
I have things to say and sing that might have some impact.
Letting other minor interests insinuate themselves into my schedule is not going to work for me.
Phew, what a relief.
So, no, thank you for asking, friend and thank you, friend inside my head for checking in to see if I can expand my horizons and take a little risk. I have a full schedule and time’s a wasting.
Please choose someone else to invite and entice, someone who would really love it.
I will continue to chip away at my list and achieve mastery one step and one breath at a time.
Love,
m