The Box

All too often, it seems we get caught up in our day-to-day routines. We are, after all, creatures of habit. Getting involved in your day-to-day routine can be a very good thing. It can also lead to stagnation if your day-to-day routine is boring.

So here’s the question: is your day-to-day, week-to-week routine boring?

Think back to a time when you felt truly excited and exhilarated? When was the last time you felt thrilled to be alive? What were you doing?

Chances are you were doing something different; something not normally included in your regular routine.

Recently, I was reminded of the importance of stepping out of your normal routine every now and again. For me, it was a day of circus training: something I feel truly passionate about. Specifically, my wife and I did some private training in hand-balancing and aerial silks. We were in an environment where we were challenged and nurtured at the same time. We were given the opportunity to test our perceptions of our own limits and abilities and we were encouraged to stretch beyond what we were normally doing.

For me, the circus is about blowing away perceived limitations and showcasing human potential and possibility. As I gain experiences that show my capabilities to be beyond what I thought they were, my beliefs about limitation change. My beliefs about my own potential expand. Life becomes different. How I start each day, in terms of my own mindset, changes. I remember the awesome potential and possibilities I have before me and that life can be exciting.

It occurs to me that our normal day-to-day routines may not always include such reminders. This, to me, is tragic.

If we want to experience life as the exciting adventure that it can be, then we need these reminders. The thing is, it is up to each of us to create such reminders for ourselves…because no one else is going to put them there for us.

Our lives are our own responsibility.

So what excites you? Are you doing it on a regular basis? If not, why not?
Life is simply too short not to make it exciting. Start with something small—it’s ok to let a little thing excite you—and step outside of the box that is your daily routine. Remind yourself that you are not defined by the box. Then start making plans to do something bigger, grander. Then do it. Make your life bigger, grander.

It’s scary to consider it, but life can be truly exciting…it’s all up to you.