Brand New
Every now and again it helps the soul to try something new.
Forget plastic surgery, forget Class As, forget religion, forget winning the lottery. Being happy has a lot to do with new-ness. For some the thrill of the new may be something reasonably perilous like climbing the north face of that mountain those two blokes fell down in that film, “Touching the Void”, or even trying out the trickier Kama Sutra positions with an orange* in your mouth. For the rest of us, experiencing the new might not need to be life threatening, or as embarrassing to the family members that have to call the ambulance.
After the radio show this weekend which is the first time ever I have been on the radio, I realised that no matter how wracked with nerves I was, the adrenaline rush was not to be sniffed at. And then I began thinking about all the new things I have done this year.
My whole life I wanted to go to Thailand. This year I went. It was better than even I imagined. And it was all about new experiences every day. I’ll never forget it. You can keep the Costa Del Sol!
In the New Year I painted and sold my work. It was one the best things I have ever done in my life. It still makes me smile.
In the summer I got a new job and left my comfort zone of teaching. Terrifying, still. But a good decision.
Then I got a dog. It’s been hard work but there’s not a day goes by that I don’t think, “Jeez, I just love that wee boy!” Watch this space for a coming soon blog and me and Sonny at Dog School!
I went freelance full time and left the days of clocking in and out behind me. Safety net…removed! (Audible gasps from the assembled crowds)
But it isn’t just me. I look around myself and I see that I am surrounded with friends who are not afraid to embrace the new. Maybe that’s the reason I hang out with them.
A friend of mine went for five weeks travelling to Thailand and Australia and left her husband to take care of the kids at home because she’d always wanted to go but never had the chance before. My sister has taken up the cello. My husband has joined a new band. My brother in law has become an accomplished songwriter. My friend is joining the police force after a life unhappy in various jobs. My other friend has gone back to college at the age of forty, despite being absolutely terrified.
I swear, if you’re feeling that you need a boost, try something new-preferably something that really puts yourself out there and see what happens. Even if it’s running outside naked for five minutes in the snow just to say you did. Go on, do it now.
(And then blog it!)
*start with a tangerine…much safer.
