Enjoy the Ride, Be Happy
Life should be enjoyable. We should take time to stop and smell the roses.
A few short stories
I’ve previously mentioned that during my almost eight years in the Air Force, I spent over 7 years going to school in the evening after working a typical 10-hour or more day. I worked outside, on the flightline, and when I was in South Carolina, it was often hot, humid, and muggy, and then when I was in Phoenix, it was just blazing hot. So hot that we could not touch the airplanes without gloves, and so hot that the sweat evaporated such that you never really got wet. It was physically demanding, and it’s a good thing I was young, in my early 20s.
When I left the Air Force, I started working for American Airlines in Washington DC on the midnight shift. I spent eight years in the Air Force, working hard and going to school so I could get the job at American. You better believe I was happy to be there, and I was going to do the absolute best job I could because I wanted to get promoted into a leadership position.
I’ll never forget that we had a stock clerk (some folks would call him a storekeeper) named Pat. Pat was the most easy-going guy you would ever want to meet. He was friendly and enjoyable to talk to, and I enjoyed our conversations when I had a few minutes with him. Nothing rattled Pat. I always found a way to stay busy, as I always have, and when my work was done, I would be helping someone else. I was always moving. One day Pat said to me,
“Dave, you’ve got to slow down and smell the roses.”
I’ll tell you that hit me like a ton of bricks. What does it mean? I found the definition from an interesting website called thesmellofroses.com (Note 1). According to them, it means to relax, to take time out of one’s busy schedule to enjoy or appreciate the beauty of life. The message is to slow down and appreciate the world surrounding you.
Pat was right. All this getting after it, making and achieving goals is great, but if we are not able to enjoy the ride along the way, it’s just not worth it. I can tell you that my line of work was stressful. Everything had a schedule, and it seems that my whole career, we were always rushing to catch up. I personally know many folks whose health has suffered as a result of it. Some people deal with stress well, others not so well.
When I was a kid, my grandfather on my mother's side was a busy guy in Russellville, AL. He worked at an aluminum factory during the day, farmed several acres, and had one or two rental homes. He was always hustling. We would visit, and he would take me fishing at a local pond because it was quick and easy. He used to tell me, “When I retire, I’ll take you fishing.” I remember he retired one year in September, and in November, he blacked out as he was pulling the car in the driveway and hit a tree. Upon medical examination, they determined he had a brain tumor. He was never the same after the surgery, and less than a year later, he was gone. He never had time to take me fishing or even enjoy his retirement. He retired at age 65, in 1975. Grandpa Mitchell never enjoyed the ride, I don’t think; he was too busy scratching and clawing a living. When he got to the destination, retirement, he was not able to enjoy that either.
This morning, I got up early, like I normally do anyway. It was warm outside and I decided to take my morning walk early, instead of after breakfast like I normally do. It was so early that no one was out. There were no cars and no birds. No leaf blowers or mowers either. It was so peaceful and quiet, so early it was still dark and not even the birds were chirping, I just took it all in. I’m able to do this now because “I don’t go to work every day.” Those are my own personal codewords for retirement, a word I don’t use…
These stories, I hope, make the point that working hard and being successful is not worth it if you are not able to enjoy it along the way, because sometimes, when you get “there” it’s too late. I’ve found that the most successful people I’ve ever met have, despite their hard work, take time to relax and enjoy life. Not after they retire, but along the way.
And here’s the point. Ever since Pat said that to me, every time I pass a rosebush, I stop to smell it. Jut to remind myself that I should.
Being Happy
If I’m truthful with you, I probably have a tinge of anger beneath the surface. It’s misplaced, really, typically about things from long ago and that don’t matter. I’ve done a pretty good job suppressing it, and I work hard not to be angry at anyone or anything. It’s just not worth it. I want to enjoy the ride and not be angry about something that does not, or should not, even matter.
Check out these tips from WebMD about being happy and click on the link in Note 2 to see more:
15 ways to be happier
Put Some Pep in Your Step
Slap on a Smile
Volunteer
Make New Friends
Count Your Blessings
Break a Sweat
Forgive and Forget
Practice Mindfulness
Turn on Some Tunes
Get the ZZZs You Need
Challenge Your Inner Critic
Remember Your “Why”
Tackle your Goals
Seek Positive People
Ask a Pro
Summary
It’s not worth it unless you can enjoy the ride and be happy. Ponder that for a bit and do a bit of self-assessment. If you need to make a change, perhaps now is the time.
That’s all for this week!
Let’s help our friends and loved ones, shall we?
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Be Sure To Stop and Smell the Roses
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http://absuccesspartners.com/
What’s in it for me?
If you want to get ahead in life, if you want to achieve your dreams and live your best life, you must take meaningful, deliberate action that follows a proven path. Getting ahead is about learning what to do and then doing it over time.
Call to Action
Just. Do. Something. Make a decision on what you want or need to do, define the path, and get after it. Do it today.
Recommended Resources
See notes below for either of my books.
Up Next
What is success?
Notes
Please note that as an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a small commission on the sale of any of these recommended resources.
What does it mean to take time to smell the roses? thesmelltheroses.com: https://www.thesmellofroses.com/posts/what-does-it-mean-to-take-time-to-smell-the-roses
WebMD, 15 ways to be happier: https://www.webmd.com/balance/ss/slideshow-be-happier
Achieve Your Dreams: A Complete Guide to Live Your Best Life, by David Giustozzi: https://amzn.to/3IxEFgy
Everyday Cooking for Everyday People Like Us, by David Giustozzi: https://amzn.to/437OhVQ