If You Want to Make the Most Out of Life, Take Your Cue From a Two-Year-Old

I've been hanging out with my grandson over the past five or six Tuesday mornings. You've heard of "Tuesdays With Morrie"? This is Tuesdays with Arthur.

This week (like every other week) he arrived and immediately checked out the fish pond and looked for frogs.

Then he went into the garage and asked for the stroller hanging in wait for him. He loves pulling or pushing things so he got control and we walked downtown together, with him pushing the stroller all the way.

He pointed out the neighbours boat that belongs on the wa wa (we're working on full words together), he stoped and listened for water in the storm drain grates, he pointed out every truck, plane and stopped to take in the distant train whistle.

We kicked the leaves and slowly made our way toward the post office to check for mail. Arthur peered into store front windows, looking for toy trains and trucks.

After checking the mail he pushed the crosswalk button and we headed toward the cafe for a snack. In front of the pet store sits a large dog house, which he crouched down to see if there was a dog inside. He then stopped at the community piano for a few riffs before jumping off the bench to finally reach the cafe, where he kissed the carved bear out front. We walked inside and he said hello to the staff and found a seat at a table while I grabbed a coffee.

Arthur isn't much for conversation yet, but we sat together as I enjoyed watching him eat and take in his surroundings. At one point I caught him smiling at the girl at the next table.

Eventually we made our way to the door but not before Arthur gave the owner a hug & kiss goodbye...and then the bear again.

Then we headed toward home.

What is usually a 20-minute walk round trip takes us over 90 minutes but it's some of the best time of my week.

And you want to know something?

I learn an awful lot about life, by spending time with Arthur.

Here are a few things that have been reinforced to me by our time together and might serve as important life lessons for you too.

Routine is Good - Embrace It

The walk I just described is the same walk we have done for 6 weeks now, and while each one is unique in it's own way, they also were very predictable.

You may think routine is boring, but I think there is growth in routine...in the boring. The boring routine of a healthy diet and exercise, or boring saving and investing. (David Chilton, The Wealthy Barber argues that 99% of investing is done for us now) Good money management is boring and isn't found in high-risk margin accounts but in done-for-you investments like ETF's.

Maybe learning a new language or musical instrument...

Routines are how we improve, hone our skills and practice healthy habits.

Last night I was able to put Arthur to bed...here's how that looked.

• brush teeth
• get a drink
• pick out a book (or two)
• close curtains
• turn on sound machine
• sing a song
• pray together
• turn off light
• kiss goodnight (and stuffed puppy too)
• say goodnight

That's what it looks like every night whether it's me, grandma or mom & dad.

In last weeks blog I argued that what happens between the significant moments in life is where meaning is found, and walks with Arthur only support that notion.

Routines are good!

Be Curious

I forget who said this, but I agree. "This idea will create chaos in your life...you know everything you need to know."

Arthur doesn't look inside every store front (and there are a few I try to distract him from) but he will always look to see if the toy train is running in the second-hand store or the row of toy trucks in the gift shop.

Arthur seems to notice everything thing around him, in part because he takes the time to slow down long enough to. We are all so "busy" to which I would say, we are as busy as we choose to be, but when you walk with Arthur, you can't be hurried, and you need to focus on what's in front of you and around you.

If nothing else, my walks with Arthur force me to push pause on whatever else is going on, and be in the moment. And the moment is precious time with a little boy who loves life.

What a gift.

Make Someone's Day

When Arthur crouched down to see inside the dog house, he poked his head inside and yelled, "Hello" which reverberated loudly. A lady in a nearby parked car had her windows down and heard it all and burst out laughing, then she said to me, "That is just the best!"

I replied, "If that doesn't make your day, nothing will." She wholeheartedly agreed.

Now I will admit that this two-year-old doesn't have to work too hard at this, but it's worth repeating, my belief that we are here for the benefit of others. Arthur does that for me, just by being with me. He made a lot of people smile on Tuesday almost without effort.

When he says hello to people passing by on the street or in the cafe, or other business owners, Arthur makes a deposit into their day. We should be doing the same, whether casually on a walk, in the workplace, at the store in in our homes.

I'm calling these "Tuesdays With Arthur" because I think grandpa gets a whole lot more out of our time together.

Embracing routine, being curious and making someone's day. Three things Arthur does almost without trying.

Q. What about you? Of the three, which do you do well? Which do you need to work on?

Let me know, I'd love to hear more.

Until next time - Dan