Forever Young

"May God bless and keep you always 

May your wishes all come true

May you always do for others 

And let others do for you

May you build a ladder to the stars 

And climb on every rung"

-Bob Dylan, "Forever Young"

What is it about free stuff that suddenly makes it appealing?! I currently have a 16-inch-tall stuffed Okapi on my desk. Why? Because it was FREE, and I LOVE it. I also have a personalized autograph from Hakeem Nicks hung up at my desk. I couldn't tell you if Hakeem even makes it on the field or spends his days catching a basketball, baseball, or football. But it was FREE, so it makes the cut. Is this just me? My sister and dad stuff their suitcases full of the complimentary hotel shower offerings, so perhaps it's a family thing.

My real-life stuffed animal Lu-Boo

The last hotel I stayed in (one of my all-time favorites) is populated with bowls of apples. Not the fake kind, the (hopefully) washed, fresh variety. I'm not really a fan of apples. Apparently they're an aphrodisiac. (side note: have you noticed how brownies, cake, chocolate, steak, butter...are NOT referred to as aphrodisiacs?! Just fruits and veggies and other random things...awfully convenient incentive for adults to eat healthy if you ask me.) After 10 days on vacation, I basically turned into a beautiful thoroughbred horse. I went from eating not a single apple in the past 6 months, to downing 2-3 a day. And they tasted like pure candy. Maybe because...they were free. In fact I had an apple this morning, because I was at the grocery store and saw the apples section and I had visions of brown tans, white sand beaches and teal waters (Florida) so I bought a couple. It tasted pretty good, but not nearly the same and Not like sugar.

In addition to free swag, I love real-life Cinderella stories. One of my all-time favorite Cinderella stories is the success of J.K. Rowling. Her Harvard address, self-titled "The fringe benefits of failure" is a speech I've watched at least 20 times now and I can't get enough of it. I was sitting on the subway today, and I have this weird habit of reading other people's newspapers over their shoulder. Holding my own newspaper means my fingers get dirty and I have to simultaneously hold up the paper and watch my purse...reading while someone else holds it, is wayyyy more convenient. Anyways, "Rowling" popped out of a headline and I instantly zeroed in over this woman's raised hand, to see that J.K. Rowling published a book under a secret pseudonym, and no one was the wiser. 

Despite good reviews, a no-name author meant the book had barely sold. After Rowling was outed, sales skyrocketed. Why publish a book in secret?! Simple...she wants the success of her work to be based off of her actual talent as a writer. What a neat motivation!

Two weeks ago, we went around the room and answered the question "what are you motivated by?". Simple question. Yet in the week that followed, I began to see that each person in my life had specific and unique things that motivated them, and I loved them for it. The point was made that one commonality we all share, is a motivation created out of love. A love for music, a love for sports, a love for writing clever and engaging books, a love for our family, friends, food, helping others, and yes, free swag. At the root of motivation is love!

Seeing that article on Rowling reminded me of that knowledge- that while every day may come and go, putting more love into the things that motivate me, is my own key to success and happiness, unlimited energy, and staying forever young.

Family time with the man who is forever young at heart