Lessons From a Year by the Water

People often ask if I have a favorite story from my Year by the Water. I have so many, it'd be hard to pick just one. However, this one definitely ranks near the top. Here's why.

Some of you know that Paulo Coelho's quote, "One day you'll wake up and there won't be any time left to do the things you've always wanted to do" catalyzed me to give away most of what I owned to head out on an adventure to explore bodies of water and interview people. I asked everyone I met, "Are you happy? If so, why? If not, why not?"

My subsequent insights resulted in a book called SOMEDAY is Not a Day in the Week, the premise of which many people are waiting for a day that will never come to do what's calling them, and that is an avoidable path to regrets.

While on book tour in Boston, a woman raised her hand during one of my programs and asked, "Is there any place you wanted to go on your Year by the Water, but didn't?"

I didn't even have to think about it. I had an instant answer, "Walden Pond."

She looked at me in surprise, "You know it's only an hour away?"

Well, blow me over with a feather. I didn't know Walden Pond was so close.

And if there's anything I learned from my travels, it's to, whenever possible, do what calls us right then, instead of thinking we'll do it at some later date when circumstances are "better."

So, I changed my plans, rented a car, and drove to Walden Pond the next morning. When I arrived, there were only 3 other cars in the parking lot. As I was getting my backpack ready, a man walked by in his swim trunks with a towel thrown over his shoulder.

I couldn't believe my eyes as this was OCTOBER in New England. I chased after him and asked, "Is it warm enough to swim?!"

He nodded, "It is if you walk to the end of the lake where Thoreau's cabin is. There's a shallow cove there that's only a few feet deep and it's not as cold."

Sounded good to me. I grabbed my backpack and set out along a pine-needle covered path through a cathedral of trees.

I know it's a cliche, but have you ever seen anything so beautiful, it took your breath away?

That's what happened. I rounded a bend and THERE was the cove with its mirror-like surface perfectly reflecting the fall trees with their green, red, gold and orange leaves.

I stopped in my tracks, breathed in, and reveled in that special moment.

I had known I was going to have an opportunity to walk where Thoreau walked.

I had known I was going to have an opportunity to write where he wrote.

What I didn't know was I was going to have a chance to swim where Thoreau swam.

The only problem? I didn't have a swim suit with me.

Hmmm. I stood on the shore, going back and forth in my mind, "Should I? Shouldn't I? Should I? Shouldn't I?"

A little voice whispered in my ear, "Go in! Clothes dry, memories don't."

True dat. I went in. And I will always be glad I did.

Yes, it was cold. Yes, my clothes were sopping wet.

But I will always remember, and be grateful for, that experience.

Queen Elizabeth said, "Good memories are our second chance at happiness."

I will always remember floating on my back in that invigorating lake, gazing up at the bright blue sky with its perfect white clouds, and imprinting, imprinting, imprinting.

I will always be able to revisit that cove and re-experience that whenever I want for second, third, and many more chances at happiness.

What is something you've been wanting to do, something that's been calling you?

Are you promising yourself you'll do it when you're not so busy, when you have this project finished, when the kids go off to school, when things slow down at work, when you retire?

Are you standing on the decision shoreline wondering, "Should I? Shouldn't I? Should I? Shouldn't I?"

Aviator Chuck Yeager says, "At the moment of truth, there are either reasons or results."

Ask yourself, "At the end of my life, do I want reasons or do I want results?"

If you want results, do not wait for someday. Someday may never come.

Go in to the opportunities and experiences that present themselves.

Remind yourself, "Clothes dry, memories don't."

Understand, you will never regret doing something that's calling you, something that feels right. You will only regret not doing it when you had the chance.