New experiences are always broadening for the mind and can help us extend ourselves in other parts of our lives. My son was recently asked to participate in (quite an elaborate) Sweet Sixteen party for a classmate at his school. This meant rehearsal for him and for us, meeting, taking and eating with new people, new families and new places. Sometimes I can be quite adverse to reaching outside my comfort zone, but I also find that low-key events like this are just about right for me. I do love talking with people and new people, with new stories, new ideas and new opinions usually make for very interesting conversations. Today was no exception. There was lots of good conversation and also, as is the case with many family and friends gatherings, great food to accompany it.
It is good to seek out new experiences whenever and wherever possible. You don’t need to do something entirely crazy. Even finding a new way to work, a new path to walk, some new music to listen to can help you find new places within yourself. I mentioned a few days ago about how I have started to listen to different types of music again, I had become a bit limited in my listening and it felt good to stretch out my sensibilities again. It is so easy to fall into a rut in our lives, but even small things like this can give a nudge in new directions.
What new experiences can you seek out? Which ones present themselves to you without you even asking? These are often the most important and fulfilling ones – these accidental experiences. Accept them when they come along. Let them lead you where they may. You never know what you might find there.
Previously on End of the Day:
- Just get rid of it – End of the Day for January 25, 2014
- How weird is your father? – End of the Day for January 24, 2014
- Sometimes you just have to make cookies – End of the Day for January 23, 2014
- Energy Level – End of the Day for January 22, 2014
- Transition without a destination – End of the Day for January 21, 2014
- Haunting the sales racks — End of the Day for January 20, 2014
- Sometimes you have to just keep swimming – End of the Day for January 19, 2014
- Anxiety – End of the Day for January 18, 2014
- Changes in the office – End of the Day for January 17, 2014
- Old and new in my world – End of the Day for January 16, 2014
- It’s an education thing – End of the Day for January 15, 2014
- The subcultures of Los Angeles — End of the Day for January 14, 2014
- What is this outdoors of which you speak? — End of the Day for January 13, 2014
- Ups and downs – End of the Day for January 12, 2014
- Lack of motivation and new food in the New Year – End of the Day for January 11, 2014
- Changes you must simply accept – End of the Day for January 10, 2014
- Speaking, Cooking and Teaching — End of the Day for January 9, 2014
- The Kids are Alright – End of the day for January 8, 2014
- Technology, high-tech, high-touch and balance – End of the Day for January 7, 2014
- An afternoon in Middle Earth and diving back into the school and work year — End of the Day for January 6, 2014
- In the neighborhood — End of the Day for January 5, 2014
- Having friends over for dinner – End of the Day for January 4, 2014`
- The theater is about more than just theater — End of the Day for January 3, 2014
- Trying everything and anything – End of the Day for January 2, 2014
- End of the Day for January 1, 2014
Pingback: My Word with Douglas E. Welch » Working for a living – End of the Day for January 27, 2014
Pingback: My Word with Douglas E. Welch » …but it’s the middle of the night – End of the Day for January 28, 2014
Pingback: My Word with Douglas E. Welch » Good food is easy to find — End of the Day for January 29, 2014
Pingback: My Word with Douglas E. Welch » Long weeks and short weekends – End of the Day for January 30, 2014