Chapter 109 - Build the snowman
It started snowing this past Saturday - the not-too-wet, not-too-powdery kind of snow that is supposedly perfect for building a snowman.
So we decided to spend our afternoon in the below freezing weather doing exactly that.
Only one day removed from sunny San Diego, where we spent a week for Thanksgiving, we put on our winter jackets, gloves, and boots to head outside to play.
An hour and a half in, my girlfriend told me:
Thank you for being willing to be childish with me.
That one sentence really got me thinking.
When did acting childish and playing become the exception as opposed to the rule?
Am I becoming too serious as an adult?
And, if this is what being childish is like, sign me up for way more.
The last couple weeks, I’ve had some days that have absolutely flown by and some that have gone by so slowly.
Reflecting on those now, I can see the pattern, and it isn’t what I expected.
The “fast” days were filled with stress as I tried to knock out my to-do list and was so focused on getting things finished.
The “slow” days were filled with peace as I was away from my devices, with my loved ones, and playing.
I spent time kayaking in La Jolla, CA with my family where we saw some leopard sharks and other beautiful fish as we listened to the waves crash against the the seawalls.
I explored San Diego with my family exploring different neighborhoods, eating delicious foods at the farmer’s market, and having fun conversations.
I made a snowman with my girlfriend where we largely worked in silence simply enjoying each other’s company for hours.
Now, I understand that all of life cannot be like this if I want to make progress towards my biggest hopes and dreams.
I simply haven’t earned that yet.
More days than not will be spent putting in the hard work required to grow.
But I can spend more time each day playing.
I can work to live with a more playful attitude.
And I can make sure that I am fully present during the time that I get to spend with my loved ones so that I take none of those seconds for granted.
So for the rest of 2024 (and moving into 2025), that’s what I’ll be working to do.
Let’s go out and build the snowman, my friends ☃️
❤️ Matt
📸 This Week’s Photos
Make this week the best week ever!
Written from: 🇺🇸Illinois, USA