Life's Smorgasbord

Life is so vast and full.

For me it creates an excitement and desire to experience so much.

However, there is so much to be, do and have it can be overwhelming. So many options... so little time.

It really astounds me though how many people say they are bored, or live on auto pilot rarely experiencing anything new.

In fact, when we greet each other we often ask just that," What's new?"

Invariably we are met with the "nothing, same old thing"  response and typically we agree.

Often this is an automatic reply like " fine" is when asked how we are. But many times I think it is true.

I have made the observation that people tend to get into habits, routines or ruts. We are of course creatures of habits so it is very understandable.

We are met with a smorgasbord of life and not always knowing what to choose stick with what is already on our plate. Why not? We know we like it and even if we don't really like it we know how it tastes so we keep going back for more of the same thing.We see all the fancy exotic dishes and decide we have no room for it, may not like it or it may scare us to give up something familiar to make space for something new.

This thinking leads to settling.

People settle in all kinds of ways in their lives. Their career, relationships, vacations, hobbies even their mental and physical health. We also have many excuses and beliefs that keep us where we are.

The reasons for this are many and complex. But when it gets right down to it we do not have to settle even though we may feel we have no choice. As soon as you decide to do something different you can in fact choose it and do it.

Yes, I know it's not that simple right? It is hard to leave something or someone behind , scary to try something new, lonely to venture out of our comfort zone.

Okay , I agree it can be hard. I also remind you everything you have ever done that was worthwhile was for a time difficult. You may not remember learning to walk, ride a bike, earn a degree, go on a first date, learn to swim, lose a loved one.

And yet once we do it we discover it was not that hard after all or that the benefits outweigh the effort and discomfort.

One of the main motivators for me as a coach is helping people find a way to make room on their plate, to try something they have always wanted, to chose how they want to live and to have the confidence and courage to pursue it.

It has always seemed a shame to me to settle. To tolerate less, to live under our potential, to miss out on the wonders that are around us everyday.

While it is not possible to have all that we want and experience all the world has to offer in one lifetime I think it is possible to  have a pretty good sample platter.



Where do you settle for less than you want?

What do you tell yourself is the reason you put up with this?

How can you make room on your plate for a little bit more?

How can you harness more courage to live more fully the life that you want?