Today many people are drifting through life feeling completely unfulfilled and alone. We tend to keep ourselves isolated in our daily routines and rarely venture out down a new path. When we walk past a strangers we keep our eyes focused straight ahead,or towards the ground, as if it would hurt to make eye contact. We spend hours each day chasing a ping on Facebook or shooting selfies for Instagram, but we put very little time into truly connecting with others face to face. As a result our days are empty and meaningless. We have become a lonely society full of regret and we share very few deep connections even within our own families.
Think about the last time you took a walk in nature without bringing your cell phone along. How long has it been since you spent a full day with family members, without bringing along electronic devises? When was the last time you truly spent time listening to loved ones in a conversation in which you were fully engaged. What is stopping you from looking a stranger in the eye and saying hello? Some of the most interesting conversations I have had in life have evolved from simply smiling and saying hello to a stranger in an elevator, or from sitting at a counter during lunch. Thinking back over my life, some of the most exciting and fun times were the times when I simply turned down a different road to explore a new territory. There’s a certain reaction that occurs inside of us that ignites passion when we meet someone new and have an engaging conversation, or when we truly connect with the people that we love. We almost get a high from the thrill of exploring something new and exciting that makes us feel alive.
It’s easy to walk through life on a familiar path, but true happiness is created from stepping out of that comfort zone to create purposeful connections and gain a broader perspective. Challenge yourself today to break those routines and take a chance on stretching yourself to find internal peace and happiness. I encourage you to make new friends; to deepen personal relationships, and really live life to the fullest. I guarantee if you step out of your ordinary routine, you won’t regret it! Life is what you make of it, so choose to live!