Either one, as long as the intention behind either of them is coming from a place of frivolity and not maliciousness. Sometimes we’re unable to decipher between the two.

A good way of measuring this is by putting yourself in their shoes.

I’m all for keeping it spicy!

Since as far back as I can remember, there have been a whole lot of dinners, lunches, swim parties, car pools, boat rides, wiffle ball games, arguments, sleepovers, late-night laugh sessions and more at the Mrs.’ house.

These, in the most impressionable times of my life. When I didn’t know which way was up. When I was in the process of discovering who I was as a young boy. Making wrong turns thinking I was being ‘tough’. Blindly walking into the wrong crowd (literally) and coming to my aid, grabbing me by the collar and pulling me out of a sketchy situation. Guiding me to make the strongest choices because you cared for my well-being.

Thank you Mrs. for treating me like your own. For seeing the best in me and expecting more. For keeping me safe. Thank you for sharing your home, food and family with me. Thanks for brining me along on the trip when it wasn’t convenient. I will remember those times forever.

You have shaped my childhood and contributed to who I am as a man. I won’t forget your generosity and selfless acts. Mrs., you have taught me to how to treat my childrens’ friends and how to bring them into the fold. I know how that made me feel. You have passed on your kindness, Love and generosity and I hope to do the same.

Thanks Mrs., you’re one of a kind.

It can be challenging for me to remain in a growth mindset day after day when it’s much easier to get comfortable and coast.

The irony is nowadays, apathy – the act of being distracted – or procrastination, is just as much of a grind. Maybe worse.

But, I always feel better after I hop back on the wagon and dig into my routine and do the things that should be done because it’s important to me.

Then I remember; “why do you stop, Jim? You feel better afterwards.

I hope for the courage to continue to want to grow and the wisdom to know when I’m not.

As we all know, farmers can’t get away with cultivating their soil one time. Just like anything else we intend to take care of, it takes a commitment to continuously tend to the field. Over and over again. Plow, plant, fertilize, etc. Every year over and over again.

Why would we be any different? Whether that’s physical tending, mental nurturing or spiritual development. A continuous cultivation of ourselves is essential not only for our health – physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and socially, but for our loved-ones and the people we care about around us.

If we’re unable to be the best version of ourselves around those we care about, including ourselves, what’s the point? Coasting is not choice. That’s easy. Who wants easy?

Let’s choose better not indifference.

Maybe it doesn’t take much to be happy. It could be as easy as noticing a sunset or savoring a fine meal. Sometimes it’s a conversation with a loved-one or the doctor you just met at your appointment to look at your shoulder and you have a wonderful conversation filled with empathy and trust while connecting with them on a deeper level. Possibly, it feels as comforting as a warm bath as you listen to a beautiful piece of music.

It doesn’t take much to dive into our happiness. It’s just a leap of faith. A surrendering. Blind faith. A willingness to risk more. And yes, it is a risk. Why? We’re abandoning the excuse to be miserable – to feel mediocre or worse ‘fine.’ The worst; indifferent.

Let’s dive into our happiness that’s as clear of a choice as it is to strip off our clothes and plunge head first into the cold dark waters that lay below us. However, once we take that leap, we’re refreshed by the exhilarating waters that envelope our bodies.

And so dive I will.