I spotted a bumper sticker at a stoplight recently that asked a question I haven’t been able to shake: “When was the last time you did something for the first time?” The light turned green. The car drove away. The question stayed with me all the way to work. It’s a tougher question than it sounds.
I can easily remember plenty of firsts. The first time I rode a bicycle. The first time I ventured into the 10-foot end of the swimming pool. The first movie I saw in a theater. The first kiss. The list goes on. But the last time I did something for the first time? That took some thinking. To answer it, I tried a different approach. Instead of asking what new things I’ve done lately, I asked what things I still want to do.
Back in my 20s, when I believed my body was indestructible and recovery was a personality trait, I had ambitious athletic goals. I wanted to run a marathon, bench press 300 pounds, earn a black belt in taekwondo and ride the entire RAGBRAI route across Iowa. Somewhere along the way, those goals quietly exited the building.
Today’s goals are less dramatic but probably more important. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Exercise consistently. Get enough sleep. Relax. Reduce stress. Remember that “self-care” isn’t just something other people are supposed to do. And, most importantly, tell the people I care about that I love them before they have to remind me.
There are still plenty of firsts out there.
I would like to travel to Ireland with my wife. And Hawaii. I’m not sure why those destinations ended up on opposite sides of the globe, but apparently I enjoy making travel plans complicated.
I would like to learn to play the guitar. Not necessarily well — just well enough that people don’t immediately ask me to stop.
I would like to spend more time with our kids and my grandson. I would like to ride my motorcycle more. I would like to read more for fun instead of proofing copy and scanning emails and trying to decipher instructions for products I should have assembled correctly the first time.
There are also some things I would like to do less of. Watch less television. Spend less time staring at my phone. Eat less junk food that somehow keeps finding its way into my pantry.
Maybe that bumper sticker got it right. Doing something for the first time doesn’t always have to be big, bold or Instagram-worthy. Sometimes it is simply deciding there are still things worth trying.
So, how about you? When was the last time you did something for the first time? Drop me a note and let me know. I’m curious.
Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707