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Welcome to Stuff I Learned Yesterday. My name is Darrell Darnell, I like to listen to music by Hans Zimmer when I need to block out distractions and get things done, and I believe if you are learning, you aren’t living. In today’s episode of Stuff I Learned Yesterday I share a lesson about everyday life.
Today’s Fun Fact of the Day: Since this episode number resembles the number of Pi, here are a few fun facts about Pi.
- Pi has 6.4 billion known digits that would take approximately 133 years to recite without stopping.
- In the Star Trek episode “Wolf in the Fold,” Spock foils the evil computer by commanding it to “compute to last digit the value of pi.” Spock is the only being who can rationally solve a problem using an irrational number.
- If the circumference of the earth were calculated using π rounded to only the ninth decimal place, an error of no more than one quarter of an inch in 25,000 miles would result.
Here’s What I leaned yesterday.
Today’s episode of Stuff I Learned Yesterday is going to require a mental exercise on your part. Don’t worry, it’s not a tough one. Are you ready?
Take a moment and think about your happiest moment. What is it? Is it an accomplishment? A compliment you received? The day you got married or the day your kids were born? Perhaps it’s the first time your mom or dad told you they were proud of you.
Now take a moment and think about all of the moments that just rushed through your head. Were there a lot of them? Was it hard to choose just one?
Okay, now it’s time for a different question. This time, think of your worst moment. What is it? Did you lose someone close to you? Did you lose your job? Was it the day a relationship ended? Did it involve a car wreck? Perhaps it was the moment a doctor came into the room and spoke words you didn’t want to hear.
Okay, now take a moment and once again think about all of the moments that just rushed through your head. Were there a lot of them? Was it hard to choose just one?
Alright now let’s look at one more scenario.
What is it that makes you feel the most loved or appreciated? Is it when someone makes you your favorite meal? Is it a kind word? Is it a handwritten note? Perhaps it’s a kiss or physical sign of attention. Maybe it’s being recognized in front of a group of people.
As you think about all of those scenarios, think about the last time that happened. How long ago was that? What about the time before that? How long ago did that happen?
When I think about my happiest moments, I think about those people that I get to share them with. For example, last week I sent out proposals on two exciting opportunities and I landed 2 new clients. You know what I did? I immediately started thinking of who I could share the good news with.
When I think about my most difficult times, I also think about those people that I shared those times with. When I was struggling to enjoy my job, I shared my struggles with my wife, pastor, and a few close friends. When my grandpa died, I shared my grief and wept with those same people.
I’m not sure about you, but something happens to me in each of those scenarios that we just went through. What is it?
Well, each of these scenarios that we’ve looked at represent the peaks and valleys of life. There’s something about being in a peak or valley that brings clarity. In those moments of highs or lows, I find it easier to see those people that are closest to me and recognize the value they bring to my life. Not only that, but I find it easier to express my appreciation and feelings about them.
When my brother was serving in Iraq, he and I both found it much easier to say I love you to each other. When he lost 6 of his friends, saying I love you was easy. It’s not that I didn’t love him before, and it’s not that I don’t love him now, but I can’t tell you the last time I told my brother that I love him.
Why? Because it’s been awhile since we’ve been in a peak or valley.
Here’s what I learned.
Peaks and valleys are great because of the clarity they bring. With clear vision we can better see the things that truly matter. When we see the things that truly matter, we can better see the things that we’ve put before the things that truly matter. In those times we regain proper perspective and appreciation for what and who we have in our lives.
But here’s the thing. The majority of our lives are not lived in peaks or valleys. No, the majority of our lives are lived in the middle of the peaks and valleys. We call these places “average” or “normal.”
Think about your life right now. If I were to ask you what’s going on, would you say something like, “nothing special,” “oh, it’s just a normal day,” or “same-o same-o?”
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with those answers. However, if you’re like me, then in those “same-o same-o” days, we tend to take things for granted. We don’t hug our children a little tighter, we don’t take an extra moment to let our spouse know how much we truly appreciate them, and we don’t think of what we can do to show our appreciation to those we love the most.
So how about this: Let’s do one more thinking exercise. Think of three people that you really appreciate in your life. Got them picked out? Okay, now think of a simple way you can show them your appreciation. You can write it down if you need to. Set a reminder on your calendar if you think you’ll forget.
Alright, now it’s time to appreciate the average. Go make those three people’s day brighter. You never know, you just might help pull them out of a valley, and you’ll make both of your days better than average.
I’m Darrell Darnell and this has been Stuff I Learned Yesterday.
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