When Life Loses Its Spark

Often I talk to friends, family, strangers, acquaintances, work colleagues, the like, and ask them how they have been. Most will respond with 'same old same old' or 'we're pretty boring, nothing exciting is happening in our life.' And I wonder, how do people get so stuck in a rut?

OK, I do understand that some people don't like revealing what's going on in their lives. It maybe too personal, they may not be trusting, they maybe struggling to accept what is happening in their lives, or they may actually feel a little inferior to all the excitement other's have in their life. And you know what? I used to be one of those people. All my life consisted of was work and family life... we didn't do anything besides watch TV in our time off, we never went anywhere unless it was an extended family occasion, we just didn't do anything. So I get it... people find themselves in a place of mundaneness and wonder how the years pass by without anything to recall as exciting times, because they get stuck paying the bills, caring for the kids and putting in extended hours at work.

So when you get some friends who open up and tell you the breadth of activity in their lives, it's like a breath of fresh air. Yay! It's not just me who thinks life is too short to be churning out the days. In the last few days, I've spoken to friends who are embarking on new work opportunities, going on dream holidays, finding new loves, enjoying health retreats, trying new hobbies, breaking away from old habits and discovering new life in them. The conversations are lively and exciting because they are taking positive steps forward for themselves.

And that's what's it really is all about... embracing the 'now' to build a better future. Yes we all have to work, be parents, do the household chores and pay the bills, but in the cracks of all those times, we need to spend time being ourselves. It doesn't have to be much and it doesn't have to cost a lot, but we all need to step outside our comfort zone and do something different.

For me, today was one of those days... for all those who know me, pink is definitely my least favourite colour. However, a friend of mine showed me one of her favourite boutiques today, and they happened to have a half price sale on summer clothes. All the clothes were very patterned... something I struggle to do as well - usually you'll find me in plain clothes (and black is generally a favourite, which is the bain of my Dad's existence), but today, I actually tried on and BOUGHT a multi-coloured printed blouse which was predominantly PINK! And I actually didn't mind myself in it either... So next week at Easter, I plan to shock my family and walk in wearing my 'pink' blouse. They seriously won't know what hit them!!

Sometimes, you just have to go there. Do something out of the ordinary for you and when someone asks you 'how are you?' you can respond with something exciting, positive and different that's brought back the life in your life.