Just that one dang thang

It’s easy actually, to quit writing a blog like this. Every Friday I post it. Been going on four years now, I guess. But it is easy to just drop it.

At least this morning it was.

At 12:55 a.m. on Saturday, the 14th of February, I am finally getting around to putting some words up on this screen. I did have intentions to complete a post earlier, but something else happened.

I freely and happily left that task undone. I didn’t follow through. I almost began, at one point, but then, nah, switched gears.

There is a really simple reason for this. I had a focus. I had decided what my number one priority was. I knew, without any doubt, that preparing our restaurant for our big Valentines’ weekend was THE thing that I really needed to do most. So this morning, that is what I did, it is all I did, instead of my normal routine of writing a blog post.

Ahhh…. the relief of that ‘knowing’ was delicious. Just for once, having the ONE thing in my mind, on my radar and in the crosshairs of my scope of conciousness, was such a tasty change. Usually, I do NOT have just ONE thing on my mind. In fact, it almost never, ever happens that way. Lately even, the reserve spot on top of my ToDo list is empty. Really, it is. I spend many days, going through some motions, but without any solid idea of what I am aiming at.

I halfheartedly complete some tasks and do the minimum required actions to inchworm my way along, till the next night’s rest finally drapes over me. I do hope that this part of my world changes, when a new life enters our little family. I expect, I won’t have a shortage of new tasks and jobs that need my energy and attention.

This weekend though, at our restaurant, has ignited that inner fire again. I have made lots and lots and lots of plans for it, over the last several weeks. Together, Chad and I have talked and talked and talked about ways we can serve our customers best. I have bought new equipment to make the flow in the kitchen, just right. I have put together advertisements and made up special recipes too. All these things are extras and stuff that I don’t really Have to do, I just want to. It excites me to spend some energy and make this the best Valentine’s weekend that I have been a part of. I hope it is 🙂

Either way though, the journey and the hard work, is where my delight has come, in this process. The end result could just be a cherry on top. These are the types of words you hear from people who are describing a great career in sports or business successes.

RARELY, and I mean RARELY, do I have this much focused enthusiasm for just one event, anymore… I used to put together parties and trips and celebrations, quite often. I used to love to do that. To host people, and to provide a great experience is thrilling to me 🙂

Tonight, I think we did a real good job. Our people worked the systems very smooothly. I reviled in it’s precision and in their abilities. Lots of compliments came from all around.

……………. Too bad, I don’t really focus my energy like this more often.

Too bad, I don’t get this excited, just by waking up each day. I probably function on some level of habitual depression and negative attitudes, pretty much most of the time. Really, this upbeat commitment to this one project weekend has been good for me. I can leave distraction by the wayside and just keep driving to the one direct and clear goal, when I have decided what that goal is…

Cheers, then. Cheers to the Choosing. Cheers to making a more full decision. When 100% of me is focused on just one thing, then there is nothing left to dilute or disperse my energy.

I hope that this new year, and this new life, coming to ours, can help me remember that it is so much easier and more fun, to know just one thing. To commit to one idea, whatever it is, saves me, from wasting time on all the piddly other possibilities.

Now, another day awaits. Another chance to play and to serve well. I hope I am ready and I hope we have prepared enough, I’m looking forward to the challenge 🙂

Sincerely,

Aaron Nichols

Restless tonight

Cause I wasted the light
Between both these times
I drew a really thin line
Its nothing I planned
And not that I can
But you should be mine
Across that line

If I traded it all
If I gave it all away for one thing
Just for one thing
If I sorted it out
If I knew all about this one thing
Wouldnt that be something

I promise I might
Not walk on by
Maybe next time
But not this time

Even though I know
I dont want to know
Yeah I guess I know
I just hate how it sounds

If I traded it all
If I gave it all away for one thing
Just for one thing
If I sorted it out
If I knew all about this one thing
Wouldnt that be something

If I traded it all
If I gave it all away for one thing
Just for one thing
If I sorted it out
If I knew all about this one thing
Wouldnt that be something

Even though I know
I dont want to know
Yeah I guess I know
I just hate how it sounds

Even though I know
I dont want to know
Yeah I guess I know
I just hate how it sounds

If I traded it all
If I gave it all away for one thing
Just for one thing
If I sorted it out
If I knew all about this one thing
Wouldnt that be something

If I traded it all
If I gave it all away for one thing
Just for one thing
If I sorted it out
If I knew all about this one thing
Wouldnt that be something

If I traded it all
If I gave it all away for one thing
Just for one thing
If I sorted it out
If I knew all about this one thing
Wouldnt that be something

If I traded it all
If I gave it all away for one thing
Just for one thing
If I sorted it out
If I knew all about this one thing
Wouldnt that be something