Tonight, as I sit down and type this blog post at 10:12 on a Tuesday night, I’ve decided to take a page out of Gretchen Rubin’s Happiness Project book and list some of my rules for adulthood. I don’t know if they’ll change over time, as in by the time I re-read this tomorrow night, but you know what? I’m going with it.
Besides, I misplaced my progressives and everything I’m typing is a bit blurry right now.
1. Remember where I put my progressives
It is a weird, weird thing to have 20/20 vision your entire life, only to have the world gradually turn blurry. It started when I was snuggling Rooney a few years ago, and realized I had to move my head further away for it to be in focus. Then it moved to the trombone I now have to play when people hand me a sheet of paper with any font less than 12 pt. Why does anyone need to print in a font less than 12 pt? And what’s wrong with Times New Roman???
I guess this isn’t so much a rule as it as a wish.
2. Never pass up a chance to pee
I learned this one during my many years traveling in vans as both a player and a coach. You think you don’t have to pee when everyone else does at that rest stop in rural New Mexico, but you can be damn sure you’ll have to go when you’re stuck in a traffic jam.
These are words to live by.
3. Be kind, (but especially with coffee….)
At least once a month, buy a coffee for the person behind you at Starbucks. I’ve taken great pleasure in doing this over the past few months, and the range of reactions has been fascinating. The very first time I bought a coffee for the lady behind me, she just stared at me and asked why.
Because there’s not enough kindness in this world. And it’s amazing how good it feels.
4. Take time to watch the fireflies.
It’s now 10:36. As I was climbing the stairs with my laptop to finish this post, Sheila called to me to look out our front window. There was a firefly, bouncing its way up and down the window, and behind it, about a dozen more. One of the great things about where we live is an abundance of fireflies and a very clear sky with bright stars.
Take time to look up.
5. Give five hugs a day. (Or just one to start with)
This is a new rule and one that I think came from the book itself. Or a podcast. With a quick google search, hugs apparently can lower the risk of heart disease and your stress levels. Also according to the google, we need four hugs a day for survival, eight hugs a day for maintenance and 12 hugs a day for growth….but I’m going to start with at least one. And yes, my dog counts. You never know when someone’s hug tank is running low - so ask permission first, but give out more hugs.
Bonus rule - be silly.
I learned this one from my dad very early on. Have fun with words, read Dr. Seuss as an adulthood, watch cartoons, get down on the floor to play with kids, keep a chicken puppet named Weezy in your office drawer (third one down if you’re curious), but whatever you do, be silly and don’t take yourself too seriously.