Today I learned how to snowboard and I can’t stop smiling about it. Why is that such a big deal? It was the experience and the challenge of learning something new.

I’ve skied for many years with my friends and family- and it’s comfortable. It’s in no way an intimidating sport for me. Prior to this trip I had always wondered what snowboarding was like. I knew that sticking with skiing would be the “easy thing to do”. The thought of starting new again and having to learn new things …it was overwhelming. What if I suck at it? Does that make me a failure? Why not stick with skiing since I know how-to already? Nevertheless, I committed myself to learning how to snowboard and told myself, “I’m doing this, no excuses.”

I wanted to learn something new.

And guess what happened? I had the time of my life learning how to snowboard and I don’t think I’ll ever go back to skiing. (I also want to mention how great it was to have one of my best friends, Adam, teach me how to snowboard)

As I’m getting older, I’m beginning to think that life inconveniently gets in the way of learning new things. New experiences seem to be harder to “schedule” or “find the time to do”.

That sucks.

The rich sense of fulfillment you get from new experiences is one of the best things in life, IMHO. Finding time to do this, I think, is essential- and anything else is negligent.

Are you finding the time to make sure you try new things? Or are you quick to make excuses? It’s easy to find reasons not to try new things or tell yourself you just don’t have the time.

Think of the things you’ve always wanted to try, make a list. Then figure out ways in which you can do them- what steps you have to take in order to do it. Ask smarter people who can help you in achieving them.

Now you get out there. Take advice from my friend Matt, who once told me, “Explore. Dream. Discover.”

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