Have you ever seen people walk down the street half-heartedly and completely disconnected? When I see people like this I often liken them to a radio being out of tune. They are partially connected with their lives, but on a fuzzy channel that needs to be coming in clearer.
Is this the case with you? Are you merely existing in your life? Do you find that you the frequency to which you are tuned is nothing more than a station full of static??? I feel like so many of us are going through the motions of life without really being present and tuned in to our daily lives. The sad thing is, I believe we miss a lot of the joy that life has to offer when we live life this way. I do not want to walk through life numb, I want to walk through my life experiencing it to the fullest. I want to take advantage of every opportunity life affords me. If I allow myself to step away from the mundane and embrace life as it develops around me, I am able to take advantage of unique opportunities that I might have otherwise been oblivious to.
I am in my current position because I was willing to take a risk and apply for a job I was qualified to fill but had limited prior experience in. It has been a success. It involved a move to another city and other various risks, but it paid off with the opportunity to work with amazing colleagues and the chance to challenge myself to learn and grow as a professional on a myriad of different levels. What a gift! I was happy in my original position, and our old city and home. I could have chosen to remain comfortable for years, but by tuning in to a wonderful opportunity I opened doors and experiences that would have otherwise remained closed to me.
What about you? Is your radio station full of static? Are you tuned in to life as it unfolds around you?
Today, 279 days ’til 40, I will strive to actively participate in life as it unfolds around me. I will stay tuned and take advantage of all that life has to offer. I hope you do the same.
~400daystil40
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
doubleinvert
May 18, 2012 at 00:10
Prior to beginning transition, I was indeed merely existing. Beginning transition was probably the riskiest thing I’d ever done. I had no idea how my friends and family and coworkers would react. Yet, that risk was well worth taking. My transition has been largely positive, and even the negative things that have happened were as bad as they could have been.
400daystil40
May 18, 2012 at 12:48
I understand what you are saying… there is something about being true to yourself and who you are that is freeing even in the midst of the negative things that happen as a result. I find that people surprise you – and that there are those you think will support you who don’t (and that is painful) but there are also those amazing people who come out with more support than you would have imagined and that is really a gift… but I think the largest gift is being true to who you are.
dcwisdom
May 18, 2012 at 00:15
Good post! Agree.
400daystil40
May 18, 2012 at 12:47
Thanks so much! 🙂
dcwisdom
May 18, 2012 at 00:16
Oh…forgot to uncheck the follow-up comments box. I’m getting a good many follow-up emails from your blog — that’s a good thing for you! 🙂
400daystil40
May 18, 2012 at 12:46
Oh no! I hope you are not getting too overwhelmed!!! 😉
buckwheatsrisk
May 18, 2012 at 00:25
wow we have just moved to the second Province in two years to go after our dreams…so hard but it is worth it! we will never have to wonder “what if?” because we have tried. i heard a saying today, “Each end, is a new beginning.” how true is that?! way to go on going after your dreams and realizing them! we are very close now to realizing ours!
400daystil40
May 18, 2012 at 12:46
Yes, I had wondering “what if” – and I agree with you completely, endings always bring new beginnings, some of which are so very wonderful for us! 🙂
buckwheatsrisk
May 18, 2012 at 17:23
the best!
charlesmashburn
May 18, 2012 at 00:29
I am bee-boppin to a way out tune! Another good article!
Check this one out when you have a minute. I think you’ll enjoy it!
http://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/holy-whac-a-moly-may-17/
400daystil40
May 18, 2012 at 12:44
Thank you so much for posting that link!!! 🙂 Yes, I did love it and it brought back great childhood memories for me! ( I LOVED that arcade game and my girls love it now!!!!!)
🙂
Beth, just being me
May 18, 2012 at 00:41
i really enjoy your blog and wanted to let you know that i nominated you for the versatile blogger award. Cheers!
400daystil40
May 18, 2012 at 12:43
Wow, thank you so much Beth – that is such a compliment and I really appreciate it! 😉
Stripper X
May 18, 2012 at 01:55
There’s a bit of static, but I’m working hard at tuning in and participating in life. As you would liken it too – ‘changing the station.’ Excited about it, too. This was a great analogy…thanks for sharing.
400daystil40
May 18, 2012 at 12:42
You are welcome! 🙂
Waldo "Wally" Tomosky
May 18, 2012 at 02:18
When I was working I made a point of changing jobs every two years. When I retired I changed jobs every two years. Each change allowed me to meet new people, learn new things and gain new experiences. I only had one time in all those changes that did not work out to my benefit. Risk is a tough thing to look in the face until you realize that it is not a risk but an opportunity. Thanks for the great post. Wally
400daystil40
May 18, 2012 at 12:41
I have to agree with you that I also like to change jobs and do new things… though in my profession that is not so amazing for the retirement fund! 🙂
Waldo "Wally" Tomosky
May 18, 2012 at 12:55
Yes, you are absolutely correct about the retirement fund.
Food n Thought Peddler
May 18, 2012 at 02:29
I think I tend to tune in and out, esp when outside (mostly out of self-preservation LOL), or maybe it’s just an NYC habit 🙂 I do agree w/you though, and big congrats on a well-paid risky move!
400daystil40
May 18, 2012 at 12:41
Yes, it is very easy to tune out in lots of situations… I also find I tune out in crowds… yet, I have met some of the most amazing people in the most unexpected places when I have been able to tune in….. sometimes it is balance though because there are days when we all need to tune out occasionally…. 🙂
Cafe
May 18, 2012 at 03:00
I think I used to be. I think now I am really getting more tuned in to my life and really taking control of what I want and doing things I never did before.
Congrats on the job working out, I think experiences like that are amazing and just reinforce the belief that you can do anything you want to do 🙂
400daystil40
May 18, 2012 at 12:38
Yes, I agree with you completely! I think the key is to always be aware of the opportunities that surround us and to decide which ones are worth following – the risks can bring great adventure/ learning and reward (or not, but then you move to the next plan!)
Paws To Talk
May 18, 2012 at 05:54
Great post. We often tune into our lives while relaxing in our yard.
Bella and DiDi
400daystil40
May 18, 2012 at 12:37
Me too – we love a good day in the yard at our house! 🙂
edwardonbebop
May 18, 2012 at 14:40
This is an absolutely great post ! A very deep question is being asked here.
400daystil40
May 18, 2012 at 22:43
Why thank you!
saymber
May 18, 2012 at 16:22
It’s easy to get complacent and “go through the motions”. When I’m grocery or retail shopping I see what you are talking about a lot – people just get zombified. Fatigue, being stuck in a dead end job or relationship, boredom….all triggers to set the mind on autopilot and get a big case of the f-it’s.
400daystil40
May 18, 2012 at 22:44
Yes, so very true!
mountainmae
May 18, 2012 at 18:26
I remember an experience I had on a beautiful day in Boston. Everyone that passed me was talking on a cellphone or listening to an ipod, passing without eye contact. I realized they did not hear the birds, or the sounds of the water or the crunch of leaves under their feet. That memory has reminded me again and again to be present in each now moment.
400daystil40
May 18, 2012 at 22:46
Wow, such a poignant moment! I have experienced a few of those myself! I am always amazed when I am visiting someplace special (like the Vatican in Italy) and it seems the visitors (not all, just some) are more interested in their cellphones or posting to their Facebook pages than enjoying the beauty around them – so sad!
mountainmae
May 18, 2012 at 23:37
I wondered if they felt sorry for me because I had no one to call.
viveka
May 19, 2012 at 00:30
When I was working was I tuned in all the time and grabbed every chance I had to something different and something new … even if I stayed in the same company. Now when I don’t work anymore .. the tuning isn’t that important – and I don’t mind if the station is a bit out of tune and its okay to be a bit lost at times. Also to be a bit disconnected means that you notice things that you probably will have passed by.
If we put away our ipods, smart phones and ipads maybe we would be a lot more connected to what is going on around us.
400daystil40
May 19, 2012 at 10:30
That is a good point, our electronics can often leave us int he dark and not tuned in…. they distract us from the important.
viveka
May 19, 2012 at 12:47
I would say … it’s a fact. Can only see how stressed people are when landed after a flight. Even before touch down they can’t get theír mobiles on quick on. The world is still out there and will be even if we wait 20 min with turning the mobile on.
ambergravitt
May 19, 2012 at 04:01
Kudos to you for jumping on new opportunities instead of stagnating! This post is much-needed medicine. My husband and I are both at a point where we’re comfortable, but we’re pretty bored and in need of a shakeup. I think the time is right to make some tough, brave decisions and start living with purpose again. Thanks for the encouragement!
400daystil40
May 19, 2012 at 10:24
You are welcome! We are still challenging ourselves to pursue other opportunities, some far more scary than the “easy” risks of the past! With great risk can come great growth!
Trinity River
May 19, 2012 at 16:27
Congrats on your big move? I should have done that on my big 40 instead of what I did. Get married to husband number 2. It didn’t work out. 😛
400daystil40
May 19, 2012 at 17:52
Thanks! Sometimes we have to make a few mistakes (or marry a few mistakes) until we find our way – but when we do find our way it is nice 🙂
Lucianus Mauricius
May 30, 2012 at 07:02
I guess you can look at it in two ways; either it’s self-induced, or it’s imposed by the environment around you. For me, being disconnected is a necessity after work, that why I keep my iPod at full blast and avoid eye contact with people around me til I get home. One can only endure so many voices and faces a day with their trivial conversations and actions.
400daystil40
May 30, 2012 at 23:31
Ah, yes, so very true.