Never grow up.

Post by David May

November 26, 2014. Exactly 6 years ago to the day this upcoming Thanksgiving. By ALL accounts, it couldn’t be a more normal day. There is no special life event that happened to me. No turning of a new leaf. Just another day.

Except upon further review. As I found myself pointlessly sifting through old journals a few days ago - it was on that day, a simple journal entry caught my attention. Some backstory might help. At that time in my life I had just returned from what would be my first of many yoga travels across the world. I went to live and study yoga in Hawaii for 4 weeks. This trip certainly changed my life. But upon return, there was a harsh reality and disconnect of trying to match up the “David” who came alive there, and the “David” who was supposed to get work done and function in the atmosphere of the real world. According to the journal entry on this day, I found myself lying on the floor after a work out, wishing that I could not go to work, and continue to stay at the gym and play. I apparently wanted to just play around with yoga all day. I wanted to practice some gymnastics stuff. I wanted to play. I just flat out, wanted to skip work…and play. Upon reading it I now do remember this…and remember thinking to myself, “David, when in the hell are you going to grow up?” Here I was, 27 years old spending countless hours at a gym. Even my full time job was working at a gym! 

Skip ahead to today. November 10, 2020. Guess what? I still haven’t grown up. I work full time now at the very same gym I was lying on the floor wishing I could spend more time at. Some how, some way I have managed to figure out a way to stay at an adult playground and play, all, day, long. No program, no planned career path, could have carried me here. The only thing that has moved the needle in this direction, is play.

 So with that somewhat lengthy introduction, this is where I tell you that this writing is not about exercise. It’s not about crossfit. It’s not about physical fitness and it’s not about me or what’s occurred in my life over the past 6 years. What this is about, is never, ever, losing the child inside of you.

 Obviously, play more.

Smile. A lot.

 Laugh really, really hard.

 Laugh some more.

 Get mad, and then get over it. When I taught middle school, kids would throw the absolute biggest hissy fits when they got in trouble. They would yell I hate you, or you’re stupid, (occasionally a “f*** off”), but would walk into school the next day, dap me up, and say, “What’s up Mr. May.” Totally forgot what happened the day before. Do that more with your anger.

 Laugh again.

 Let curiosity kill you.

 Misbehave, then learn from it.

 Laugh WITH others but laugh AT yourself.

Play “grown-ups” but don’t become one. Ever. (This is advice for your real world job/parenting/bill obligations as much as it’s a metaphor).

 Stay up late and wake up early.

 Go to bed early and get up late.

 Go to bed early and then stay up – just like when your parents made you “follow” a bed time.

 Get dirty. (And don’t worry about the laundry. You didn’t care about grass stains when you were 4, why do you care now)?

 Laugh at how stupid and silly work related issues REALLY are in the grand scheme of life.

Get as excited over finding a penny on the ground as you do a paycheck.

 Believe that you crushed every single workout. If you didn’t - you’ll know deep down to work harder.

 Laugh.

Be interested in everyone and everything. Each day is not the same old thing. It is completely new and different. The kid in you understands this.

 Cry.

 Spend more time upside down. TRUST ME.

 Move at your own speed. Remember, the only thing that made you move faster when you were a kid was your Mom counting to 3. (Which by the way, I was too chicken to find out what would really happen at 3…I’ve heard horror stories, but that only means they are still alive today to share those stories).

 Welcome change.

 Get really excited over nothing.

Fall in love. Fall out of love. Keep doing this. Then stop, and stay in love. Or stop and stay out of love (but still have love). You know, really, who cares. Girls have cooties...and so do boys. But maybe sometimes they don't. And that's pretty awesome. (This is my way of saying be happy in a relationship, or out. You don't need someone else to make you happy...but they sure are great).

 Get annoyed, and then get ridiculously silly.

 Do things that don’t make sense.

 Make those things make sense.

 Eat the damn cookie. No, it won’t kill you. (But yes, it will probably hinder your crossfit performance…there is always a time and place to be disciplined).

 Wear yourself out. What the hell are you saving energy for?

 Stop worrying. Any possible punishment coming your way is temporary and only as bad as you make it.

 Have I mentioned you should laugh more?

 Do things with out reason…like…laugh…

 The great part about all of this – is the fact that you truly have the power to change your situation if you are not happy. Move, look for a new job, whatever. Find something you love to do! FIND YOUR PLAY, and do it often. Everyone always talks about money versus happiness – and we all agree (or at least say) that happiness is more important. But we never act that way. We get nervous. We get anxiety. We start playing the “what if” game. We start asking ourselves, “What could I do if I just had more money?” If there is one thing you take from this, please let it be that, that is the wrong question. The question should be, “What are all the things I can do with more happiness?” You might just end up in Hawaii living out your passion.

 Less worries. More hope. Less schedule, more free flow. Less adult, more kid.  Less work, more play…it is the most important act of all.