BROKEN ZIPPERS
Everything is tied together.
Every emotion that we feel affects the others.
Every behavior is tied together.
Every behavior that we have affects the others.
The other day, I bought a new weekender bag. A back pack that would allow me to take my computer and my clothes in the same bag so as not to carry two.
I know, I know… probably not necessary, but we live in America – the land of consumption.
Stay with me…
I was heading on a “weekend” trip and naturally chose to use my brand new “weekend” bag.
I put my running shoes in it, my loafers, my clothes, my computer, my ipad and papers… and when I went to close it – I could barely close it. I had to put massive pressure on both sides to get the thing closed, and I was glad the zippers seemed robust.
I tend to throw my bags away when the seams rip right along the zippers.
And, I thought to myself, as I often do…
“Why are my bags always so full?”
The question keeps coming up with me…
- Is it that I am a big guy so my stuff takes up more room than most?
- Is it that I have more interests than others, so the designs don’t take people like me into account?
- Is it that I am risk averse, and am afraid that I am not going to have that thing that I need right when I need it?
- Is it that I am a closet fashionista and want to have a change of outfits depending on my mood?
WHAT THE HELL? WHY ARE MY BAGS ALWAYS SO FULL?
I look around and many other people don’t seem to bring nearly as much.
Some people travel without their computers and only bring an iPad… what if they need a file that is on their hard drive? What if there is no wifi and cant access their cloud based drive? (RISK AVERSE)
I bring TOO MANY BOOKS… I always carry at least 2 probably and often find a third and fourth book in other pockets. AND, my IPAD has 40+ books ALREADY IN IT!!!!
WHAT THE HELL??? Why are my bags so FULL?
I thought about it more…
Actually, my LIFE is always busting at the seams…
I take pride in “busting at the seams”.
When people tell me they don’t know anyone that works harder or does more than I do – I sincerely laugh.
A – Because its just not true, I know so many people that do more than I do,.
B – Because I still feel lazy, I still feel like I accomplish so little with my time… like I am still looking for ways to get more productive.
I envy those people who don’t fill their bags… or their days.
I often get up at 4 am to work out.
I most often take flights that leave before 7 am, and often before 6 am.
I most often don’t go out to lunch because I don’t want to spend the extra 30 minutes.
I run a company. I used to coach a team. For a while, I coached two. I work out 4 – 6 times per week. I write these conversations. I read a fair amount. I try to spend time with my boys and my wife. I travel a fair amount for work and for pleasure. Oh yeah, and I am on a non-profit board and trying to help start a nationwide business competition for college students… And, I try to make time for friends when they need me…
It feels like a normal schedule. And, it also feels so very full…
And, I also feel like what I do is NOT enough…
I wish I had more time. I wish I had a boat – to be able to experience the water with my boys. I wish I had a beach house to create a different world for my family and friends and take long walks on the beach. I wish I worked out more to be stronger. I wish I spent more time with my wife and boys. I wish I had more time to think and read books over again…
HOLY WOW… Am I SERIOUS?????
And, NOW, we are on to something…
Onto something meaningful…
I FILL MY LIFE.
I FILL MY BAGS.
HOPING…
WORKING…
TRYING…
TO
POSSIBLY
BE ENOUGH…
Most of the people I know who travel light, seem to have a much greater inner peace. They just seem more comfortable in their own skin, or probably better stated, in their own schedule.
People actually say “NO” to things…
The question is appropriate
WHY
DO I FILL MY BAGS SO FULL?
But, the answer is less about the quantity of stuff that I put in, or the decisions for why I chose to carry them or do them.
The answer much more importantly is around the WHY I feel like no matter WHAT I carry with me, no matter how much I bring on my trip…
I may not be prepared…
I may not be enough…
I may be “CAUGHT” for who I really am without all of those things…
WOW… Really? Do I really think that is at the heart of my broken zippers?
I do…
I am hoping that perhaps a little bit of it, is a desire to get the MOST out of life, to make the MOST out of my time…
Some people see that, and argue that…
They think it’s because I want to “squeeze” the maximum amount of juice out of life.
And, that is true.
I don’t want to leave any of it behind.
I don’t want to leave breaths, smiles, kisses or words on the table when I am gone.
Maybe my bags are full because I am strong enough to carry full bags. I am ambitious for wanting full bags. I am hungry to learn and do.
Perhaps…
But the truth is I want it all.
I want to be this ZEN guy that is so very at peace with his life…
That lives a simple life… that aspires to Ghandhi’s style of simplicity – being able to carry all that I own over my shoulder.
And, I want to be this FATHER guy, and this HUSBAND guy, and this SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS guy, and this STRONG ATHLETE guy…
Full bags lead to BROKEN ZIPPERS...
I know that...
I need to lighten my bags...
I need to keep lightening my mind...
While keeping my heart full...
It's all tied together... and,
in harmony,
Nestor