The Beach

It's quarter to three. My body's aching with this unique exhaustion that only a swim in the ocean can bring. Today, after perhaps five long years, I finally ventured out into the ocean once again.

I stayed away for so long not because of any fear but out of sheer convenience. The hassle of changing into dry clothes, the dampness that remains long after and the half the beach that gets tangled with your hair was reason enough to stay away.

Yet today, after much coaxing and cajoling, and changing into a questionable pair of shorts behind a towel held up by two guys (who vowed they were looking in the other direction!), I took that step into the water. It was warm and welcoming. And it was enjoyable.

But the best part? The hot shower after an evening at the beach. It's one of the things that features on a 'Best Things In Life' list, right next to waking up and realizing that you still have half an hour more to sleep. It just feels so damn good!

Courage, An Illustration

I read this piece by Ben Stein which my best friend thoughtfully passed on to me. It was a combination of a passion and an interest, called The Economics of Love. (Economics being the passion and love fundas being the interest) The piece was mildly amusing, with very little out of the ordinary.

What stood out, though, was the line on Ben Stein at the end of the piece.
Ben Stein is a lawyer, writer, actor and economist.

At 63, Stein has accomplished so much, from being a speech writer for Nixon and Ford to being an Emmy Award-winning actor. And what a combination at that! You find actors who venture (often unsuccessfully) into the music industry. You find lawyers who become speech writers. But the rarity of Stein's career-combination is what amazes me.

It is a mark of true courage. Let me explain. People often are pigeon-holed into certain categories, encompassing a group of interests. I like this and I don't like that, I can do this and I can't do that. And once you've been labelled the 'finance guy' or the 'marketing guy', it's so hard to break the mould. You get so good at what you do that you are afraid of trying anything new. Stein broke the mould. He ventured into the unfamiliar and to top it off, was successful!

I don't wish to close by advising everyone to muster up the courage to take that step outside their comfort zone. I have failed to do so on many occasions and so, do not have the right. Stein's just an example of what happens when you do.