Go Hug, or go Home.

I have volunteered on and off with children for a long time now. I love working with them, I always learn from them. I said to a four year old the other day "Can I have a little hug?" And he flatly, bluntly, and quickly said "No." Although I was fine with that answer, I was surprised, so I asked why. He said,"Because I only give big hugs." It was serious, direct, and very matter of fact. He then proceeded to pounce on me with an enormous bear tackle type hug with the entirety of his weight. I stood corrected. Big hug, or no hug. Go hard, or go home. There is no half way in anything. Give it everything you got, or don't give anything at all. That was my lesson. Thank you Professor four year old. I will only give big hugs from now on.

The Slow-Getter

You have heard of a "Go- Getter", generally it is stated as a compliment. They say, that person is a real "doer", a real "go-getter" they get things done and go after what they want. This person will be very successful in their life. This is also sometimes referred to as an ambitious person. Another term for it is perhaps a Type A person. Anxious, proactive, multi-taskers, that are often found in the workaholic camp...but these types of people are often highly regarded in our society as successful and their mode of being is respected and not to be disturbed.

So then, what about the less commonly referred to Type B personality? What even is a Type B personality? They are said to enjoy achievement, and work steadily, but not to the point of high stress. They are said to have less health problems, and have lower rates of disease. When they are faced with competition they seem to focus less on the loss and more on the enjoyment of the game they were involved in. They are not as goal driven, but seem to enjoy the process and the moment more. They often have less of a need to control and more of a need to collaborate. They are not in it for enjoying the winning of the race, but more the beauty of the run.

My friend once referred to these people as the "Slow-Getters."  There is no question I fall into this category. I talk slow, I walk slow, I eat slow, I drive slow. As far as I know I am the only person I have ever met that was pulled over for driving too slow. The officer laughed at me when I told him I was enjoying the view while I was driving. I have always tried to work smarter not harder, I have rarely done something I hated in the moment to achieve some goal down the line. I don't get stressed that often, nor so I like to be around stress. I don't really mind if I lose at something, but I always ask myself what I learned. I like to sit and do nothing, but be and feel everything. I love to enjoy my life, each moment of it, and I feel very comfortable with that choice. There is nothing wrong with being type A, in fact there are many times and places that it is very constructive. Alas, do not let society fool you either. There is also much to gain from the Type B perspective. It will get done, but the journey will also be enjoyed, and there is room for the ride.