Boring Stuff

I was struck by an interesting thought while watching a "movie" with my family this evening. I use the word movie loosely, because when Disney and Pixar put together an animated flick, it's never Gone with the Wind. But, hey when something resonates it resonates, right? So in the movie UP we find Carl, who from a very young age has his sights set on an adventure of the lifetime.

Now, I never like to spoil a movie for anyone who may have yet to see it, so I won't. But at one point, Carl's young friend Russell says "Sometimes, it's the boring stuff I remember the most." From this simple statement I began to wonder, have we forgotten how to enjoy the boring stuff? I wonder if in our big dreams for the future; our lofty goals and visions of grandeur... have we been waiting for the big opportunity in life while the boring stuff is happening all around us?

Now I may be the last one to the party here, but I know from my perspective, I am doing this all the time. I often feel like Carl, wishing for that big adventure of a lifetime, while a lifetime is passing me by. I think back on the simple pleasures of being a kid; kicking a can down the street, skipping a rock on a pond or riding a bike with no particular destination in mind. With the GO GO GO mentality we seem to face these days, I can't remember the last time I just enjoyed the boring stuff of life. I think that saddens me a little.

I'm not suggesting that we can just totally ignore our responsibilities and goof off for days or weeks on end. But I think we would do better to be on the look out for the small moments when we can get enjoyment out of the boring stuff. I don't want to get to the end of my life and realize that it went by while I was waiting for the big adventure. So, as a new year rapidly approaches, let us all make it a point to go out and try to get our share of the boring stuff of life. We may just find that adventure we were looking for... "there's a red one."