ONCE IN A LIFETIME!

Sometimes I ask people to tell me about the most memorable experience of their life.  The answers include tales of the birth of a child, a special trip or the meeting with an individual who has been inspirational.  Other life highlights might include completing an educational program or even a wedding day.

Well, now that I am in my seventh decade of life, I have made some new decisions.  I have decided that I am going to MAKE once in a lifetime experiences.  That means that instead of wasting time thinking about all the reasons not to do things, I will just, within some degree of reason, make things happen.

It is easier to consider all the things that could prevent you from fulfilling a dream than to do it.  Most of us consider the financial costs, or the time that it would take to be away from family.  Sometimes, the distance required to travel to a far-off destination is a barrier.  Commitments that we have previously made can slow us down.  

Unfortunately, many of our trusted friends and family members can sometimes be good at listing all the reasons NOT to do something.  They can often be quite persuasive with their positions.

So, let me tell you about some of the interesting once in a lifetime things that I have done over the past year.  

For my August birthday last year, I was invited by friend Richelle to join her in Costa Rica.  My initial response was that I was too busy.  It only took me a short period of time, however, to change my mind when I suggested that I could go the following year, and she indicated that she might not be there then.  So, I took a leap and within a couple of hours had my flights booked and had re-arranged everything on my schedule that had seemed so darn important earlier in the day. Once in a lifetime experience!

Last month I attended a wedding of friends and was supposed to sing but impulsively changed my mind and instead gave a humorous talk (without notes or preparation) pretending that I had been interested in a romance with the young groom before he met his bride.  The decades that separated our ages and my straight face left the guests in stitches.  The groom later stated that he had heard from so many who had attended as to how much they had enjoyed the unusual wedding banter.  Once in a lifetime experience!

A couple of weeks ago I attended a black-tie dinner sponsored by the Solicitor General of the Philippines.  A famous designer awed us with her beautiful creations made from Hablan weaves (silk and banana leaves) and we were serenaded by a talented singer during the exquisite dinner.  In the past I might have allowed the price of the ticket to stop me.  Not this time!  Once in a lifetime experience!

So now, I am getting ready to visit Gibbons on the Sunshine Coast where Lowry Olafson, the singer songwriter who I worked with to create a new theme will be hosting his 27th Annual House Concert.  There were lots of reasons not to go to this but not one of them will stop me.  

What are the things that could have been once in a lifetime experience for you if you had only not talked yourself out of them?  Where would you like to go?  What might you do that is unusual?

My theory is that if you plan something and others encourage you to do them – then go!  If they look at you strangely and question your wisdom (or sanity) – all the more reason to go!

Why not?  You might just be on the brink of a once-in-a-lifetime experience!  

Dr. Linda Hancock, the author of “Life is An Adventure…every step of the way” and “Open for Business Success” is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice in Medicine Hat.  She can be reached at 403-529-6877or through email office@drlindahancock.com