Happy Halloween! A holiday where we get to be something else for a day. As adults, we may not go house to house on October 31 trick or treating, but we can still partake. I love when adults continue the fun by having parties and dressing in costumes. As a matter of fact, the best time of the year at my undergraduate school, East Carolina University, was Halloween. We were known for it. Colleges near and far would descend on our small North Carolina town to celebrate Halloween. Streets were closed off and it was estimated that over 100,000 people filled the streets with some of the most creative costumes I’ve yet to ever see again. (Sorry, no pics because it was before camera phones.) So now we are adults and professionals. Does that mean we can’t have fun? Can’t we regress for a day? Of course we can! As a matter of fact, I recommend it. Today on Halloween, I will be dressing up as I do every year and handing out candy for a few hours. I’ll step away from my desk to get in a costume and experience Halloween and the trick-or-treaters. I truly believe this is the most important thing you can do today. Why would I encourage regressing when I’ve spent my life bettering myself through education, experience and professional development? Why take time away from arguably more important issues in your life for a silly holiday? Because it allows you to bring perspective to your life. And perspective is key to dealing with life’s issues. A motto I’ve had throughout my life is:
"Stand back and take a look at the big picture."
Getting caught up in the here and now can cause tunnel vision. Decisions are better made when one has perspective and considers the big picture. Therefore, perspective is a great tool for getting through tough times. When was the last time you disengaged from work, I mean completely? What did you do? How did you feel upon coming back to work? I recognize that disengaging is difficult these days, but it’s not impossible. How about you take an hour this evening to relive fun childhood memories, see children making theirs and truly be present in the moment? Surely, you can spare an hour today. It will be the most impactful thing you can do for yourself and those you love. Remember what’s important. Don’t take life too seriously.