What does it mean to be rich?  With the many varying definitions for the word ‘Rich’,  it is perfectly understandable that anything revolving money is the first thing to come to mind. In the context of this post, however, money is the furthest subjectt from the content.  Instead, when I refer to the rich life in the context of this conversation, the reference is towards that which produces value in our lives.  For some, that very-well good be financially driven, which is awesome, and I absolutely won’t deny that money is nice when it comes around; but the values that float to the top of the pile for me when questioned are not that. For me they are: Family, Fun, Change (as in Evolution), Trust, and Adventure.  Those things, when it comes down to it, are how I tend to prioritize decisions, relationships, and how my time is spent.  That’s not to suggest I don’t value anything else in this life, because I do (Sour Cream and Onion Chips, for example.  Tempting me from the counter as I type this out…curse you New Years resolution!), but my core values are typically in line with the list I just provided.

So with that preamble in mind –  when Alison asked me the other day what it would mean for me to live my richest life, three words came to mind: Experience, Expression, Expansion.  (If I’m being completely honest, ‘Expansion’ wasn’t the initial word that came out of my mouth…I chose ‘Project’ instead, but then a painful level obsession kicked in when the words I chose felt out of balance, so I searched my brain until I came up with an acceptable and appropriate substitute.). In any case – if I’m living my richest life, then it means I am somehow being fulfilled by these particular things, and it’s a good exercise to check in every now and then to see just where I’m at.

Experience

It doesn’t need to big, elaborate, far or expensive to be an experience.  We can go for a walk in the woods near our house and it can still be an event worth of filling this cup for me.  Sure, there are bonus points for discovering some place new, but, especially while the kids are at the age when ‘new’ for them is in how they interact with their environment, and me getting to witness that is something I hold precious.

Yes, I want to go to hiking in Hawaii, I want to experience The French Laundry, I want to drive the East Coast, I will not deny the appeal of larger expeditions, but I also don’t need to wait for those to come to fruition before recognizing that opportunity is also all around me every day.  I can share conversations with people I’ve never conversed with before.  I can try a new ingredient from the grocery store.  I could pick from countless trails around me and take in a part of Ontario completely new to me.  The scale of experience can vary, all it takes is a moment to recognize and appreciate that it’s happening when it is.

Expression

Perhaps the very reason this blog exists is to support the rich life I want to enjoy.  From being a creative output, to a source of self-discovery, I am an extrovert and while it may seem like ‘rambling’ to some, to me it is my way of reconciling feelings and emotion.

When I play a musical instrument, I am putting out into the world the things I can’t find the words for.

When I build something from nothing, I am putting on display the vision I had in my mind.

When the thing that I build doesn’t look how I envisioned it, I try to appreciate how wonderfully unique it still manages to be.

When I step into the kitchen, I am practicing improvisation

When I put food on a plate, I am feeding my soul

When I create a new puzzle, I am flexing a part of my brain that needs a particular form of exercise for survival.

When I put thoughts out into the world it helps me to understand and appreciate them more.

When I ingest the expressions of others, I grow.

Expansion

My brain needs a project.  It’s not just that I want to putter around, it’s that, if I don’t, I feel lost, and, not so much bored, but ‘without purpose’.  It is in this space where my wife is at her most patient.

‘Expansion’ takes its form in many different, sometimes expensive, sometimes elaborate, and perhaps, just perhaps. sometimes unnecessary ways.  Something like taking a course in project management isn’t so hard to pitch or convince others of its value – an investment like that comes with the potential for a return, and makes sense when viewed from the perspective of wanting to further my education; something we should all hope to do as we grow older and the world around us becomes more confusing.  That I have no problem selling.  There are, however, more commonly these ideas and plans that float into my brain which require a little more ‘finesse’ in the elevator pitch…

1. Tearing down a few walls so we can move our bedroom from the front of the house to the back so that:
   1. “My dear – you could have a better, more peaceful and private view of the trees while you’re reading her book in bed while I take care of the kids”
2. Tearing down the shed to make a better, bigger, safer one that could:
   1. “Babe, you could fit all of your future gardening tools that you’ve been wanting so badly”
3. Building my own guitar because it’s something I’ve never done and would:
   1. “It could use up the planks of maple that are taking up space in our basement, allowing us more room for those storage totes you wanted”
4. Expanding the chicken coop to accommodate for more chickens so that we could get more eggs and
   1. “Honey, if we had more chickens then we’d save on groceries and support a healthier eating lifestyle for our family”
5. Put down new flooring in the kids rooms so that they are
   1. “Seriously, my love, it would be quieter, easier to clean, and provide better insulation, resulting in a reduction on our monthly utility bills”

No matter what project idea comes to mind, the key is to approach and develop the project proposal from an environmental, cost-savings, or health benefit perspective, rather than carelessly throwing ideas around.  Over time, I’ve even been trying leverage the “if I take on this project, then that will not only last a couple of months, but it will have the fringe benefit of keeping me out of your hair for a while.”

She’s also no fool, mind you.  She knows who I am and I am incredibly grateful for her understanding of what it means for me to keep expanding.  With every project I learn a new skillset.  Be that how to engineer a a safe shelter, or what tools are required to replicate a Telecaster, I am expanding my knowledge and understanding of the world, all the while keeping myself busy.

…Plus by using the wood that’s in the basement already, the cost is ‘basically’ $0, and I am saving the environmental footprint versus if I just took it to the landfill, which also costs money.  I am also inspiring my kids to be interested in the arts, which has so many therapeutic benefits…so yeah, it only makes sense that I should build a guitar.

Like I said: my wife is very patient.