The Plot To Steal Joy: Day 14

Day 14 Unfolds:

“You’re not good enough.”

“You’re not as smart as you think you are.”

“You’re not hustling. You’re complacent.”

“There are too many good talents out there. You won’t match up.”

Bham, bham, bham. Any which way I turn, I get bombarded by a barrage of negative voices. I was literally drowning in them.

What did I do? I turned around and drowned them instead. I went swimming.

Not even kidding. I literally went swimming in a bid to drown out those voices in my head. And it felt oh so good. As I swam, the voices disappeared. As I stretch one arm after another forward in the water, I felt peace and calm flow through my body. Out went confusion; in came clarity. Out went doubt; in came determination.

No it wasn’t so much the swim as it is a change of environment. Ever noticed how a vacation leaves us refreshed and ready to tackle our jobs with new drive? A change of environment - sights, sounds, faces, encounters, experiences - they offer rejuvenation and renewed perspective.

Sometimes all it takes is a quick change of environment to change your inner perspective. In my case, all it took was a pool of water.

Sometimes, even the simple act of ordering a different dish from the same restaurant that you frequent three times a week can bring about a change and put the joy back on your face. Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself.

Contrary to popular believe, it doesn’t take a lot to cheer us up. All it takes is one little act. One little change. One little spark. Truly, it’s the little things that make the biggest change.

The score today?

Joy: 1. Doubt: 0

Caples Lake is located some 30 miles south of Lake Tahoe in California. Even in May (this was taken in May 2016), some parts of the lake is still frozen. No, I didn't swim in this lake in its semi frozen state. I would need a thick wetsuit to do so.