What activity in life most compels you to look up to the sky and say, “I LOVE MY LIFE!!”? What is that absolute thing or activity or accomplishment that fills you with sheer joy? This is the thing that makes you tick, the thing that puts you at the height of your element. Whatever it is, I want to be next to you when you’re experiencing it. I love that. It’s accessible. I’m sure you can easily think of the things that make your friends and family geek out. For some of us, it’s tied to our identities. And is there anything more real than experiencing time with a loved one when he or she is awash in a moment of pure bliss? To me that’s pretty much the point of life.
But this endeavor necessitates an open mind. In fact, it’s the practice of opening your mind. If you have a variety of friends, it’s inevitable that some of them will be into certain things that don’t necessarily tickle your fancy. It doesn’t matter, that’s exactly what you should do with them. Just because you’re not into something doesn’t mean you can’t empathetically understand the excitement it elicits in others—or respect it. Come to think of it, the world would be a better place if more people broadened their horizons. There are way too many elitists who frown upon anything that isn’t sophisticated, and way too many bumpkins who frown upon anything that is sophisticated. I’m fine with letting people be set in their ways; you can’t change people. But I can control what I do and how I see the world. I’m going to be the one who transcends petty labels and experiences things that make large swathes of people tick, regardless of activity.
It’s funny how relative this is. For some people, the full nourishment of the soul involves grandiose plans like summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa, while for others, it’s walking down to the local coffee shop and having a great latte and an amiable conversation. Hey, either way, I’m game.