Maybe I don’t want (to be) the best
I was reading an article about Botique Search Engines when I came across a specific line that resonated with me:
The problem, now so drastically different from a decage ago, is not what to read/buy/eat/watch/etc., but figuring out the best thing to read/buy/eat/watch/etc. with my limited time and attention.
This stuck with me because so often I find myself wasting hours looking for the best fantasy novel to read, the best workout routine to do, the best method of learning a new language. And guess what? I still barely read books, I still barely do any exercise, and I still don’t know any other languages.
How much of life do I miss by looking for the best? How many shows or games have I consumed that don’t actually appear in any Best Of lists, yet I still thoroughly enjoyed?
Somehow I don’t think the great novelist became great by only reading the best novels. Or famous singers only listen to the best songs. So why, in my mediocrity, do I think that my time deserves nothing but the best?
It is high time I stop looking for the best in life, and just starting looking for the things in life. Otherwise I feel life will just pass me by.
tags: slice-of-life, reflection
I like to ride my bicycle
Not to long ago I went up to my in-laws for the Christmas holidays. While there, something remarkable happened: I lost weight. It wasn’t much, but it was enough that both myself and my wife could notice the difference. Now I don’t actually own a set of scales in the house so I have no idea how much I weigh, or how much I lost.
But this little bonus has motivated me to try keep the weight off, and possibly lose a little more. So, I have decided to ride my bicycle to work. I ended up buying a nice bike off a lovely fellow for just over $200aud. This thing is amazing, carbon forks, fancy shifters levers that double as the brakes. It’s fancy.
I have yet to actually ride it to work yet, as I need to still grab a bike lock (and a softer saddle). This is really the first time in my life I have taken an active interest in my health.
It’s not just fitness either, I’ve also given up alcohol (we’ll see how long that last…), stopped drinking anything besides water, milk and coffee, and focused on healthier foods. I hope all this has the impact I am looking for.
tags: slice-of-life, fitness