In a yoga class this morning, the teacher transitioned us from “kneeling crescent moon” to “half splits.” The teacher noticed one student doing the full splits, and said to the class: “You can be like so-and-so and do full splits, and if you can’t that’s ok. Just don’t compare yourself to the outlier.”
Which is exactly what I was doing, outside of the yoga studio. Comparing myself, a homebody, to the adventurous world travelers in my life. One of whom is an outlier. Let’s meet her.
Yesterday I read an email from my Dutch friend. We met in college when she studied abroad at the University of Minnesota. We have stayed in sporadic touch. She sent us a Christmas card, which we just received, and that rekindled our connection. Her email update: “I will leave for South America on February 1st; living my dream and traveling for 4 to 5 months from Ushuaia to Ecuador or Colombia (not sure yet).” My reaction was parts admiration and jealousy. And curiosity – where is Ushuaia???
I thought to myself: “How did I go from age 20 to age 50 without traveling? That was not the intended plan.” However, I was comparing myself to the outlier. My Dutch friend who always made adventure and traveling part of her life. (If one of you has an upcoming four-month trip to another continent, tell us where in the comment section down below.)
This morning, the yoga teacher said: “We are all outliers in one way or another.” If that is the case, try not to compare yourself to me.
PS – I can’t do full splits.
Ushuaia – southern-most city in Argentina. I’ve been there. Does that make me an outlier? Never considered myself a traveler, either – more of a homebody. But then we were bit by the travel bug. Selectively.
All of us outliers in one way or another…so true.
One person’s outlier is another person’s normal. My new (Canadian) husband is appalled yet fascinated by my tendency to put ketchup on eggs, steak, hash browns. Yet my son and I consider ketchup to be an essential food group and get “hivey” (to use your term) when our supply is running low!
At times, I find myself feeling envy for the lifestyle of some of my friends. They have the finances and the desire to travel and embrace all that the world has to offer. I don’t. I love being home. I love my beautiful yard and the peace I feel when out in it. I love settling down on the couch with a great book. I love experiencing good food in my own kitchen. Outliers have nothing on me. You’ll find me on my own patch of green grass looking at a beautiful Minnesota blue sky. No comparison.