The Weekly Plunder: Week 8 - Beginner Mode

A few days ago I found myself thinking about how we adults are often scared of new things. We cling to what we know out of fear of what we don’t. Experience and wisdom are supposed to flourish with age, so we cringe at the thought of being old newbies. We want to, metaphorically speaking, play all of our games at “advanced mode.” And so, as we get older our list of fears grows, while our willingness to try new things diminishes. We increasingly hate being beginners.

If there is a competition I want to engage in, it’s this: I want to be a beginner at more things than anyone else, and continue to be a beginner at more things as I age. If I suck at something, it at least means I’m willing to venture into the unknown. There is more adventure in being unfamiliar with the outcome. If I’m learning something new, it means I’m learning, and that’s certainly worth experiencing.

What are you willing to be a beginner at? My list of “beginner mode” things: skateboarding, chess, and camping.

What I’m reading: The Running Revolution by Nicholas Romanov. Though I am still unable to run, I’m very close, and I have my sights set on running at much longer distances than I ever had before.

What I’m watching: Dune (review posted). Finished season 3 of What We Do in the Shadows (really funny show, watch the movie too if you haven’t).

What I’m listening to: “Message in a Bottle” by The Police. My tribute to Sting since he played a pivotal role in the 1980’s Dune film (I am one of the few who enjoyed it). Also the new album “Dark Connection” by Beast in Black. It’s some solid 80s style metal. Pure, simple, and catchy high-octane fun.

What I’m doing: Took a long hike with my girlfriend at Turkey Run in Indiana. It involved climbing down a pretty steep waterfall and maneuvering my feet at angles I hadn’t in months (been recovering from an ankle injury). I was glad that the ankle held and I made it. It’s refreshing to breathe in some fresh fall air while walking through the assemblage of ochre, yellow, orange, and red leaves that both sheet the earth and decorate the trees (but not for long). The ankle is healing pretty well. I’m also cycling further each day.

Also shopping around for a skateboard. Because why not? I don’t want to be bogged down by routine. Regimented exercise is not my thing. I’d rather learn something fun. Yes, I intend to run, but not in the predictable linear paths of adults who tend to tether themselves to machines. And I have no qualms in breaking up an exercise with excitement. I’d rather be “skateboard zen” than “really good at running.”