Saying Yes to Life…and No to Normal

A 9 to 5. A stable job. A typical vacation. 2.5 kids and a white picket fence. The idea of what constitutes a “normal” life may change from generation to generation, but I wanted to take a few minutes to address the idea of being “normal”.

If you’ve read some of my other postings or poked around in my life, you will hopefully find an atypical story. From my foundations in a unique public schooling experience, to my high school years (somehow combining academics with music, theatre, sports and clubs…including the Scandinavian Club presidency. My collegiate years were no better- studying economics, Russian literature and being a member of Northwestern’s top a cappella group.

I’ve tried to live my life saying yes and enjoying the ride.

Have a building that can be rappelled down in Chicago? I’m there. Barry Manilow needs backup singers? Sure thing. There’s a new thing called the marathon in Chicago? Let me try to set the record.

For me, life is meant to be lived and experienced.

We only have a short time on this earth to cram in as many incredible days as possible, so there’s no use sitting on the sidelines…because there are amazing adventures to be had.

I can actually trace a lot of my adventure-seeking experiences to a momentously difficult time in my life, but one that gave me a zest to live.

Growing up, my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was about 10 when the initial diagnoses took place, and she was in her early 30s. She was one of those incredible forces of nature that turned any day into a celebration for young and old. She fought the hell out of the disease and although was given months, stayed around to teach nieces and nephews, how to live an exceptional life.

I never thought much about the internal consequences of those years, until more recently. Why can’t I vacation in the same city twice. Why I always error on the side of saying yes than worrying about saying no. I know that in my heart of hearts, knowing that none of us is promised more than this exact moment, or that we are promised happiness, or adventure, or anything…it can all be gone in an instant.

So strangely enough, when you look at life from this super fatalistic view, the bounds and constraints of living a normal life are ripped off. I’ve had some incredible fun in my short time on this revolving globule called earth, but I’ve also had my share of momentous suffering.

Seeing people as I’ve navigated these challenges, one of the questions is how do you keep a smile on your face and faith in a better day tomorrow?

I’m here.

I’m breathing.

I’m typing.

I’m alive, so there is nothing that can bring me down.

The ultimate betrayal to people like my aunt who had her life ripped from her way too soon, or my grandparents who came over from Greece to work their asses off for a better life for me, for the many people who don’t have such a loving, supportive family and social network is to just blow it. To do nothing. To add no value to this world. To be too scared of failure or mistakes as to not get on the field in the first place.

If you haven’t read Teddy Roosevelt’s speech “In The Arena”, please do yourself a favor and go read it. Now.

When you look at life this way, normal is not an option. Normal is letting life pass you by and never experiencing the fullness of joy, and yes the crushing depression of sorrow. If you walk on the normal path of life, you will never know the ups and downs that are awaiting you.

Yes, the downs can be insanely difficult, but it’s always where you learn the most about yourself and are able to really see inside your soul. And the ups, well…the ups are something to behold and keep inside your heard. Without saying yes to life, you might as well just sleep until you die.

So, I challenge you to say yes. To seek out adventure and experiences that may feel uncomfortable. The great thing about life is…it’s yours. So, if you choose to seek the experiences that are out there waiting, you will be fulfilled. Yet, if you don’t, the only person you will hurt is yourself.

Me? I’ll be too busy finding my next adventure.

Originally published at tomvranas.com.