Over the years I have participated in many activities that I can say I really like. As a kid growing up there was nothing better about the summer than playing baseball. Games twice a week and Saturday practices at Richard Shaffer Park were on most boys’ agendas. I would never leave the house without my ball glove for the just in case moments.
But, like a lot of boys, at 16 years old my likes changed a bit. With obtaining a license to drive, my activities focused on my car. Most of the money I made and most of my time were centered around my ‘73 Nova. At that time in my life, the car defined who I was. As an adult my passion for old cars has never left me. Classic cars are still my thing.
Over time, I have found many new interests and kept some old. These are all things over and above family things and things that involve worship and church. I have found that I still like baseball (mostly just to watch now), going to concerts, bowling, selling just about anything, hunting, fishing, sitting on a beach, working with bees, riding a bicycle, going to movies, skydiving (yes, I did this one), and I am sure this list could just keep going.
Now, I am not sure if this is a guy thing or just a me thing, but I must admit, all the things that I really like to do, I seem to have trouble enjoying any of them entirely. How can it be possible to like doing so many things yet have trouble enjoying them? For me, it happens a lot. Here is how.
I think it started with that ‘73 Nova. It was a trade-in at Jerry Haag Motors. The car was very well cared for with low miles and needed nothing. In a very short time, I was unhappy with it. It needed a different ignition system, headers, air shocks, orange peel mufflers, chrome wheels, and anything else to get the cooler-than-all-others look and make it faster.
It seems no matter what I do or participate in, in my mind there is always a way to make it just a little bit better. If I bowl a high game of 225 today, I will not be satisfied unless I bowl a 250 tomorrow. Can you relate?
She does not know it, and most likely would not understand if I tried to explain to her, but my 9-year-old granddaughter taught me this very important life lesson earlier this week.
It has become a thing, I guess, that my son and I will meet and go bowling on his day off each week. This week with the snow, there was no school that day. We decided we would make it a fun time with the kids. We ordered pizza and were prepared with our shoes and bowling balls. I am always listed last in the order of bowlers — this allows me to watch the others first. I am assuming it is because I am old and don’t mind the wait.
Now, please bear in mind this is an event we all like very much to do. After just a couple frames and watching these guys it became very clear that we are all very similar. Brian was frustrated he could not get the right ball speed, Brody was frustrated because he could not get enough hook down the lane, and Grayson was frustrated that his ball always went straight to the gutter. Sounds fun, doesn’t it?
There is one more bowler to account for. Miss Kaydence made my heart smile just to watch her. Her reaction after she rolled the ball down the lane had absolutely nothing to do with how many pins she knocked down. After each ball, regardless of the outcome, she had a big smile and yet another dance move. She was just happy to be there. Her happiness was only controlled by her. Not by her surroundings. I told my son that we all need to watch and be more like her.
She taught me you can like something and enjoy it.
Lesson learned.
Randy Butler is a lifelong resident of Highland County and a licensed real estate agent for Classic Real Estate in Hillsboro.
