What would really happen if you just took a chance?

If you had one week to live and were asked if there was anything you regret, what do you think you would say? I recently read an article (that now for the life of me I can't find again to link to) which included an interview with a pastor. It was about what people talked to him about when they know they are going to die. No one ever talked to him about things they had done that they regret, but everyone always talked to him about things they wish they had done.

In the past year I've made a real effort to say "yes" more often then I say "no". Whether it's meeting friends for a drink when I feel like I'd rather lay on the couch and do nothing, or riding a mechanical bull when I know I'm going to embarrass the crap out of myself or trying Mahi Mahi when I "know" I'm going to hate it. Each time I end up having an unforgettable night with great friends, a hilarious story to tell the next day, and discovering a new food that I actually love. It's amazing the experiences you can have if you just say yes. You're not going to look back on life and wish you had spent more time watching TV or going to bed early. You're going to wish you had spent more time with the people you care about and that you had done more.

I know far too many people who are too scared to try new things because they are self conscious or worried about embarrassing themselves. Or they aren't willing to talk to someone because they aren't their "type". What would really happen if you just took a chance? A chance on meeting some one new, trying something new, or a chance that while you might look like a fool, you might also have the time of your life? I think I've embarrassed myself so many times in life that I'm immune to feeling embarrassed so I get that this might not be so easy for other people but if you really think about it, who cares?

What you feel embarrassed about, everyone else has forgotten about 10 minutes later. Big deal if you try something new and look like an idiot. Prime example for me. . . running. I am not pretty when I run. It was even worse when I first started running and I know it. I know I looked like the fat girl flailing around on the track but I promise while someone maybe looked at me and laughed, 5 minutes later they had forgotten about me. And in the end it opened up a whole new world of something I really enjoy and that has changed my life.

The same goes for people. Give people a chance! Big deal if he's not your type, and not the cutest guy at the bar. If he says hi, say hi back. Have a conversation. Get to know someone before deciding you aren't interested. You're going to miss out on meeting some amazing people if you aren't willing to step outside of your box. That doesn't just go for people looking for a mate. In general, I think the best part of life is meeting new people and listening to their stories. Everyone has something to offer and you could really learn a lot if you're just willing to listen.

I don't know about you but I refuse to be one of those people that looks back on life and wishes I had done more. I'd like to look back and think "No wonder I'm so damned tired, I had one hell of a time!"

Early Life Crisis

I'm going to start this evening by re-stating my original disclaimer. My blog contains a lot of swear words, I am not politically correct and I will probably say something that offends you. That's the point. I'm not intentionally trying to piss people off but I decided to write a blog so I can just write my ideas, thoughts, and opinions unfiltered, no apologies. I tend to speak my mind and not hold much back, but to survive day to day life (and not get fired) I do have to hold back and filter some of what comes out of my mouth. The reason for me writing a blog was to not have to worry about any of that. And contrary to what my husband says, I am not trying to be mean!

So on that note, this evenings post isn't offensive or mean. Just keep my disclaimer in mind for future posts :)

I've decided I'm going though a minor early life crisis. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up and I'm getting really sick of trying to figure it out. I'm not saying anything good or bad about my current position, I just have SO many ideas of things I would love to do or businesses I would like to start but no means of implementing any of them. And we're not really in a financial position to just try something out and hope for the best. I have a huge desire to have my own business I just don't know what or how to start. I really would like to find something I can be passionate about and build a life around. I'm also totally open to winning the lottery and never having to work again :) SO, if any of you have any experience in helping people figure out what they want to do with their life let me know! Or if you have a large sum of money just laying around with nowhere to go, I would be happy to help ya out.

(SEE I can write a post that isn't "mean")

Random bit of advice. . .

First, my follow up from the Winter Beer Festival: AMAZING day. . horrible night and next day. If I ever doubted this whole gluten free thing it has been more than re-confirmed. The most depressing part of the whole thing. . .I don't even like the taste of beer as much as I used to. I still thoroughly loved my Vanilla Java Porter and a few others but I didn't love em as much as I used to.. . .depressing. The day in and off itself though was a blast, especially hanging out after in the stadium club and ordering $60 of BK on the Brewer's Guild credit card :)

Second and what I actually wanted to blog about, I've decided 2 things: I am totally a dude at heart and I don't get girls. I absolutely love hanging out with guys who have dirty, raunchy humor and just don't give a shit. I usually surprise them because my humor is dirtier and raunchier than theirs and I really, truly don't give a shit, not like the girls who pretend they are one of the guys but then get offended at every little thing they say. Sometimes, I really just don't get the female race. I absolutely love my girlfriends and would be lost without them but sometimes I just don't get em. Luckily I've found a few soul sisters who are quite similar to myself but overall girls are crazy! I don't get the "I wish he would do this but I would never actually I tell him what I want" and the "she's such a bitch but we pretend we're best friends" or the "my boyfriend absolutely cannot go out without me and if he does I'm going to be pissed". Get a fuckin grip. If there is one thing I absolutely cannot stand it's couples who are attached at the hip and won't do anything without each other. I also can't stand girls who get upset if their guy looks at another girl or (OMG) goes to a strip club. If you don't have enough trust in each other to let the other do what they want then you probably should re-think your relationship. And if your dude has to "get permission" from you before hanging out with his buddies then I say your damn lucky he's even still your dude.  I know I haven't been married that long but I'm pretty sure one of the big keys to a happy marriage is not losing your individuality. It's important to compromise and learn to be a couple but it's just as important to still have a life of your own and let your other half have a life of their own as well. If you have to drastically change to be in a relationship with some one then it is not a relationship you should be in. . .this goes for friendships too.

Pretty sure I strayed from what I originally wanted to write about but there's a random bit of advice on relationships for ya. . it's good advice, take it. If you don't, then it's your own fault if you die old and alone.