Over the course of a gentleman’s existence, he will undoubtedly be confronted with varying array of challenges and adversity. The resulting stress can spiral into an unhealthy dependence on unproductive vices (pornography, alcohol, gambling, etc.) that can hinder us emotionally, mentally, and physically. We hastily retreat under a comforting blanket of false gratification and deceptive happiness. Figuratively beasts of burden, we strain under the discomforting weight of life, plodding along in a sad attempt to make it from Point A to Point B. Generally speaking, Point A would represent when we wake up and Point B would be when we go to sleep. Admittedly, I am a registered and certified night owl. However, the combination of night owl tendencies and mental stress equals terrible sleeping habits. I can function with 4-5 hours of sleep, but long term that is unsustainable and unhealthy. Therefore, my objective over the last three years has been to identify activities that grant meaningful satisfaction and contentment.
One of the activities that I have immersed myself in over the past few years is gardening. I never fancied myself as a gentleman blessed with a green thumb. Nevertheless, I embraced the hobby as a way to cope with the daily grind of life and what life has dealt my way. I enjoy the quiet and solitude of my own little escape. It occupies my mind and lifts the brain fog; forcing me to focus on the sometimes-grueling task at hand. However, the physical activity grants me vigor and mental sharpness. And it is immensely rewarding to watch plant life survive and thrive under my care. I selected various flowers and plants to entice pollinators to our garden, so the feeling of pride that swells inside me as I watch butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds fly back and forth is incredible. I have coneflowers (echinacea), swamp milkweed, salvia, roses, and lavender to name a few. My daughter has even given names to specific sections of the garden such as Bee Town – that’s where the bees tend to congregate around the salvia. That makes me smile inside. And I like smiling inside.
Gentlemen’s Best Life Challenge – Identify an activity that brings genuine happiness and a sense of accomplishment within yourself.
