I was in North Carolina on Wednesday and Thursday of last week, speaking at a financial conference. I caught an early flight after the conference and came home a day early to surprise Elysha and the kids.
It is always fun to appear at the door a day before you’re expected.
Three days later, on Sunday, I left for Little Rock, Arkansas, where I spoke at Hendrix College last night and will teach a workshop to the faculty today. From Arkansas, I’ll travel to London for another financial conference, then onto Amsterdam for coaching and consulting with a company, and finally onto Montreal for a keynote and workshop with the Gates Foundation.
Nearly two weeks away from my family and some challenging work ahead. I’m fortunate to be able to do it, but I’ll miss Elysha and the kids dearly for that time.
I already do.
I had hoped to get home from North Carolina early and spend three days relaxing with the family before leaving.
Instead, I played two rounds of early morning golf.
Charlie, Elysha, and I went to the Zach Bryan concert at Gillette Stadium on Friday night.
I had lunch with my former colleagues and volunteered in a classroom on Friday afternoon.
We went to Sleepy Hollow, New York, on Saturday for a train show and lunch in that crowded, spooky, delightful little town.
On Saturday night, we co-produced the Great Hartford Story Slam at the Hartford Flavor Company. Charlie played his guitar before the show and during intermission, and Elysha and I served as judges for the stories.
I was admittedly a little annoyed by all that we had scheduled in my three days between North Carolina and leaving for my two-week trip. Spending time at home was deeply appealing, especially knowing how long I’d be away.
I was still with my family for most of those three days, but we spent a lot of it in Massachusetts, New York, and in the car, including one very late night.
But here’s what I told myself:
You’ll be happy that you did every one of these things, both while you’re doing them and after the fact.
Looking ahead, it seemed like a lot, and it was, but as I sit here in Little Rock, Arkansas, preparing to teach today, I am so grateful for those three days I spent never sitting down.
I played sunrise golf with friends twice, including a course I’d never played on before. We had lots of laughs. I even hit a few good shots and collected a handful of pars.
I stood in Gillette Stadium and listened to Zach Bryan perfom. While I don’t particularly like his music, Elysha and Charlie do, and Zach Bryan was admittedly entertaining. His band played brilliantly, and he is a sweet, humble, charismatic performer. Watching Charlie and Elysha sing along with 70,000 other fans in a place I’ve spent so many days watching the Patriots play is a memory I’ll have forever.
I visited Sleepy Hollow for the first time, and at just the right time while it’s decked out for Halloween. I toured a Metro-North trainyard with my train-obsessed son and his friend. I enjoyed lunch in town with Elysha and Clara. We discovered Pace University along the way, which might be an outstanding option for Clara, who is in the midst of her college search.
I had lunch at Wolcott School with two of my favorite people in the world. I taunted and teased children like I did when I was teaching. Offered advice to my former colleagues. Laughed a lot.
And I taught the class the first half of the Pledge of Allegiance in sign language. I received requests for a writing lesson next time. For a couple of hours, I was back in a place I once called home, but happily, thankfully, blessedly, it still feels like home every time I visit.
And then Elysha and I joined forces with two other storytelling shows to listen to great stories, judge them on their merit, and declare a champion. I spent time with friends. I caught up on their lives. I engaged in interesting conversations about life, religion, and stories. I watched and listened to Charlie entertain the audience on his acoustic guitar. I immersed myself in an evening of storytelling.
It was a lot to squeeze into my three days between trips, and part of me wanted to say no. Pass on the challenges and demands that all of those things require. Just slow down a bit before two weeks of travel, work, and all that the road demands.
It’s so easy to say no. It’s simple to pass on opportunities that demand effort, time, and struggle. It’s far too appealing to say no to a place too far, a tee time too early, or parking too complicated.
It’s easy to think that time spent relaxing on the couch would be better.
It’s not true.
Couch time is forgotten time.
Passing on opportunities means passing on them forevermore.
Staying home means missing out on life.
Forgoing time spent with family is time I’ll never get back.
Making memories requires effort.
Going places is hard.
Climbing out of bed four hours after arriving home from a concert to play golf with your pals is hard, even for me.
But it’s all worth it. Every time.
But here’s the thing:
I need to remind myself of this constantly, as I’m doing here, because inertia is a powerful force. Remaining still is the path of least resistance. The couch is soft. Beds are cozy. Homes are easy and familiar.
I write this to remind myself to keep on saying yes. Continue filling my days with adventures. Spend my days in ways I’ll never forget.
I’ve already schedule-sent a link to this post to my future self, in case he needs a kick in the pants.
Those three days between North Carolina and the trip I’m on now were busy, tiring, and demanding.
Thank goodness.
