Points2Ponder By Alan P. Scaglione

“City Boy Driving a Pontoon—Whoda thunk it?”

                                     Points2Ponder

                                                                                                       By Alan P. Scaglone

So, I saw this advertising in this magazine, and it stopped me in my tracks.

It said, “When’s the last time you did something for the first time?”

I went, “Wow! When IS the last time I did something new?”

It haunted me. I took a picture of the advertisement and even used it as a Facebook challenge.

Still…It wouldn’t let up on me.

I even used it as an icebreaker at a team meeting at work.

One fifty something woman responded, “I am at an age where I’ve done everything I want to do and… there’s nothing new I want to do!”

I responded in that meeting, “Really? You are fifty something and you have seen it all and done it all and nothing new you want to do?”

My next comment was in my inside voice, or so I thought.

“That’s just sad! I want to keep trying something new until I die and then…even that will be something new”

Everybody laughed. No one was sure…were they laughing With me or….laughing AT her?

POINTS2PONDER When’s the last time you tried something for the first time? Why do we just quit experiencing new things? Why do we get in a rut and settle for same ol’ same ol’? When does our sense of adventure and lust for learning give in to settling for yesterday with no hope for a new tomorrow? Why do we stop doing new things? Where’s the ”new” in you?

So 2012 rolled around. I kept thinking about this comment. When’s the last time I did something for the first time?

And I decided! 2012 will be my year for trying something new—and I will keep track of all the new I try!

And I have!

For example:

-          I decided to have a “birthday month”, including ten birthday celebrations, ranging from a homemade cooked dinner by a friend to a cousins birthday party to being slimed!

-          I tried something I always thought I would hate—“Flan” – kind of like custard… and I liked it!

-          I was ambushed by my godsons and stood motionless while 14 people silly stringed me! Yep! They ran out of the house, chasing me with silly string! Priceless!

-          I made my first video for my book “One Unexpected Event”, set in McCall Park in Plant City, Fl. I had a camera person, a production assistant and real audience. Cool!

-          I applied for and was selected on kickstarter.com for my book to garner donations to get it published by Xulon Press—and I am in negotiations with the publisher!

-          I went on a pontoon boat for 4 hours—I’m a city boy—never been on a pontoon! I ended up driving the boat for about 45 minutes! So much fun!

-          I tried cut up bananas and…sugar free syrup! Would have never ever thought to put those two together, but..WOW! great breakfast item! Thanks Captain D!

-          I asked for money—THAT is the hardest thing for me- I am a giver, not someone who asks for help! But sometimes, you have to let people bless you so they can enjoy giving!

And it’s only the first week of February!

I decided—I never want to be old enough that I don’t want to learn something new, try something different or experience something for the first time!

I don’t how how old “old” is…but I never want to be that “old!”

So… I issue a challenge to you—Who is up for a good old fashion “I DARE YA!”

Well I DARE YA— Start your “own List of Firsts!” for 2012!

Come on! You can either waste another year not doing anything new or different, or….. You can LIVE A LITTLE!!

Or……Maybe you are TOO OLD!!

But I say…. Prove ‘em wrong! Show ‘em how it’s done! Whatcha got to lose?

Let’s LIVE until we DIE!