For those of you who know me, you know I like to play! My favorite hobbies have always included some kind of a board under my feet. Surfing is my greatest passion, but I also enjoy snowboarding and carve and long boarding through the streets of Lake Oswego. I get all kinds of funny looks and terse comments from neighbors, who must think I am some kind of teenage troublemaker as I skate by with my kids and their friends.
I'm not alone in this, either. Many times at the beach, on the mountain, or in the streets you will find my colleagues and their kids right there with me. Coach Barry Engelman has recently taken up snowboarding with his boys, and he also surfs with me from time to time. Coach Steve Scanlon can often be found skating in local parking garages at 11pm, or at Mount Hood boarding with his kids.
Anyhow, our immature hobbies are not the point of this post.
So what is my point? That I hang out with boys in men's bodies? Maybe so, but I believe that there is some life-giving magic to be found in playing outdoors at any age.
One mentor in my life is my great uncle, Chuck Heller. Chuck was a very successful business owner in his day. When I first started in business some 25 years ago, I asked him for his take on what had made him successful. He shared a great deal with me, but the thing that really stuck with me was how he took care of himself physically, and how he played. Chuck came home for lunch every day to swim laps, eat a healthy meal, and take a short nap. He said this helped him mentally as well as physically. He is 94 years old now, and still plays tennis at least 5 days a week!
I'd like to encourage you to take care of yourself this year. Pick one health discipline to improve upon. Do you need to work on eating better quality foods, or smaller portions? Will you commit to exercising at lunchtime for 30 minutes a day, 4 days a week? Have you been thinking about trying a new hobby, or finally dusting off the clubs, racket, glove, or board and getting out there to play once a week?
To keep playing like kids, we must be very intentional with how we care for ourselves. This year, pick one aspect of your health account to improve upon. Then, incorporate some play into your Life Plan and your calendar this year. Not only will this allow you to make the most out of every day right now, but you'll reap the benefits for years to come.
Do this, and you may receive one more wonderful gift: when you play like a kid, you get to do this stuff alongside your kids!
I hope to see you on the mountain this weekend,
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Tags: Disciplines, Life Planning, Non-Negotiable, Playing, Snowboarding, Surfing, Teenagers
