Never Again

Today’s Best Self Icebreaker Card: Experience -- What’s something you will NEVER do again.

Day 2 of 150 as we make our way through the Best Self Edison Deck: In the spirit that success is as much about what you stop doing as it is what you do, I started with the ten minute timer to generate ten possibilities. This exercise is harder than it seems if you have a never say never attitude. I wracked my brain for those incredibly negative experiences that have left scars only to start thinking of the “never” list that brought purpose, peace, and possibility. That list left me with a glow, a sense of good fortune and happiness, and reminded me that a classic reframe of looking at the abundance of outcomes rather than the scarcity of experiences is that road less traveled. And that is classic me. Here’s the list:

1. I’ll never pull an all-nighter again unless it brings joy or saves lives. Sleep is our rejuvenation agent.

2. I’ll never forget the joy of dancing alone in my apartment during the final scene of Zorba the Greek and shouting “Opa!” with Anthony Quinn as the COVID-19 pandemic raged on. And, I hope to never have to do that again, alone.

3. I will never look at a tree in the same way after reading Richard Powers’ The Overstory.

4. I will never take a stand on the superiority of “cat” or “dog” people. Now that I am both I see the value in aloofness and the connection in unconditional companionship.

5. I will never look at left-handedness the same way after breaking my dominant right arm. I did lose five pounds, though.

6. I will never be afraid of a needle again. Acupuncture is my shield against pain and the COVID-19 vaccine is helping get my life back.

7. I will never underestimate the power of a seed. Watching, cultivating, nurturing, feeding, and sitting in a sunny spot are my new analogies for life.

8. I will never give my voice or my power to someone who uses the phrase “trust me.” That is my queue to go deep and trust myself.

9. I will never apologize for caring deeply. It is a sign of our humanity and my reminder that it is a gift to have a beating heart and a caring soul.

10. Finally, I will never doubt the feeling of accomplishment after finishing the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle.