Why Not?

I don't watch a lot of T.V. and generally when I do it's like all at once - all in one day, like a T.V. marathon. If I had CMT (country music television) yeah, it'd probably be on, but I don't have to sit there to watch that. However, once in a while when I'm not in the mood for a T.V. marathon my kids will say, "Hey Mom, do you want to watch ________?" It doesn't always take a lot of convincing to get me to go cuddle up on the couch and watch a movie with them.

My husband will do the same thing to me, "Hey honey, we still have episode whatever of Biggest Loser to watch or such and such movie recorded." Meaning he wants me to come watch T.V. with him. :) I believe they've also realized my T.V. marathon habits cause once in a while I'll hear, "Hey, you wanna have a Harry Potter marathon?" Sometimes, I think they know me better than I know myself.

Anyway, what's the point you ask? A while back my husband bought the movie "We bought a zoo" - I think we actually watched this in the theater first, but now we own it. It was not a pointless purchase as my husband and kids have watched it repeatedly. I know because I end up walking by and getting sucked into it with them.

However, a few weekends ago my kids said, "Hey Mom, do you want to watch We Bought A Zoo?" I agreed. It wasn't until the end of the movie when I realized the importance of once question and how often I personally ask myself this question.

***Warning, SPOILER ALERT, if you haven't watched the movie.***

At the end of the movie the Dad starts telling stories again and he takes the kids to where he saw they're mom for the first time. He then describes to them how sometimes all you need is just 20 seconds of insane courage, embarrassing bravery, and he promises them that something great will come of it. So here he is looking at the most beautiful woman he's ever seen and telling himself just 20 seconds, just 20 seconds....then he walks in and talks to her. He asks her "Why would a woman like you even talk to a guy like me?" and she replies,

"WHY NOT?"

In the movie when he first buys the place the zoo keeper asks him why a man with his lack of background in zoo keeping/owning would buy a zoo and he replies...

 

"WHY NOT?"

Every single time a new event, 5K, 10K, 1/2 marathon, mud run, obstacle course, sprint tri, zombie run, Santa run, or whatever else shows up on Facebook via one of my friends who is trying to get a team together or doesn't want to go alone I find myself looking at it, watching the video, shaking my head at the insanity of it and then for some stupid crazy reason I put my name down. Why?

WHY NOT?!

 

Is it insane? Yep.

 

Does it usually take some bravery? Oh yeah - a lot of bravery to crawl into a cold freaking lake in England of all places!

 

Does something great come of it? Totally! I learn a little more about myself, a little more about what I am capable of doing. I get to be a little proud of myself for the accomplishment and how far I've come. I get to share it with amazing people, family & friends. I get a new t-shirt (crazy, I know) and some new bling (a medal). But most of all, I get to look back and say, "I DID THAT! Me, nobody made me, nobody force me - I did it all on my own with the support of family & friends." And that my friends is a feeling like none other.

 

So the next time you find yourself looking at an upcoming event, shaking your head at the insanity of it and then all the sudden writing your name down - remember all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage & embarrassing bravery. You may find yourself saying, "Self, you are insane! What are you thinking? You crazy, crazy person." But in the end, you'll look back, smile and be glad for that little ounce of insanity & bravery that is hidden within us all.

 

Now go find that ounce of insane courage & embarrassing bravery and ask yourself;

 

"WHY NOT?'