Drink while the tavern’s open
An acquaintance of mine is fond of saying, “Drink while the tavern’s open” – and he doesn’t even drink. But, I’m sure you get the picture. What he’s really saying is live life while it’s there to be lived and don’t’ miss any opportunities.
A long time friend of mine called me a couple of weeks ago and asked me if I would like to go fly-fishing, something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. “It sounds like a possibility”, I replied. “When and where are we going to go?” “Well,” he answered, “I found a guide that could take us on the Housatonic River. It’s about a two-hour drive. “What time do we have to leave?” I asked suspiciously. “I’ll pick you up at 6:00 AM.”
I have to pause here and say that I loathe getting up early. Not only do I hate it, I am bleary and not in the best of moods in the early hours. My wife, however, goes to sleep very early; I read very late. She arises at 6:30 AM. I get up around 9:00 AM and – I really do not like to be awakened. I am no different than I was as a child. I need my quiet time at night and I need my eight hours sleep.
So, my knee-jerk response was to say “no”. Then I took a breath and realized that during our 36-year friendship we have never done anything like this together. I also realized that if I said “no” that would close the door of possibility for us having this kind of adventure. So, in spite of my reluctance, I said, “Let’s do it.” Quite frankly, I think he was amazed at my willingness.
Pick me up he did – with hot coffee and muffin at the ready. We met our guide at 8 and were fishing by 8:30 AM. I caught my first trout on my first cast on my first fly-fishing adventure. We had a ball! All because I was will to get out of my comfort zone, say “yes.” So by all means, drink while the tavern’s open and live life now.
James Mapes is the founder of Quantum Leap Thinking™, creator of The Transformational Coach™, expert on the psychology of “applied imagination,” best-selling author, highly acclaimed business speaker, consultant, seminar leader and personal excellence coach.