Live Life: 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.”
A friend is fond of saying, “Drink while the tavern’s open” – what he’s really saying is live life while it’s there to be lived.
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 a keynote speaker, best-selling author, coach and hypnotist. His most recent book IMAGINE THAT! Igniting Your Brain for Creativity and Peak Performance is the first web-supported book with access to 21 video-coaching clips.
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.