for a year I did something new every day 365 days in a row izip lined across a
365 days in a row izip lined across a
365 days in a row izip lined across a crocodile-infested lake I spent a day in
crocodile-infested lake I spent a day in
crocodile-infested lake I spent a day in a wheelchair
a wheelchair
a wheelchair I played with all the toys in the toy
I played with all the toys in the toy
I played with all the toys in the toy store and almost got kicked out I did
store and almost got kicked out I did
store and almost got kicked out I did things I never thought I would do life
things I never thought I would do life
things I never thought I would do life opened up in amazing ways and today I am
opened up in amazing ways and today I am
opened up in amazing ways and today I am here to dare you to go on your own
here to dare you to go on your own
here to dare you to go on your own journey to stop listening to your no
journey to stop listening to your no
journey to stop listening to your no voice and say yes do the new now maybe
voice and say yes do the new now maybe
voice and say yes do the new now maybe you’re wondering why someone like me
you’re wondering why someone like me
you’re wondering why someone like me would do something like this
would do something like this
would do something like this I was stuck you ever been stuck you ever
I was stuck you ever been stuck you ever
I was stuck you ever been stuck you ever felt like your day was holding you
felt like your day was holding you
felt like your day was holding you hostage like you were handcuffed by your
hostage like you were handcuffed by your
hostage like you were handcuffed by your fear your circumstances you forgot to
fear your circumstances you forgot to
fear your circumstances you forgot to laugh you lost your best self somewhere
laugh you lost your best self somewhere
laugh you lost your best self somewhere along the way that kind of stuck can
along the way that kind of stuck can
along the way that kind of stuck can happen to anyone and it happened to me
happen to anyone and it happened to me
happen to anyone and it happened to me but from the outside everything looked
but from the outside everything looked
but from the outside everything looked pretty good at 53 I was an 8 time Emmy
pretty good at 53 I was an 8 time Emmy
pretty good at 53 I was an 8 time Emmy award-winning investigative reporter a
award-winning investigative reporter a
award-winning investigative reporter a mother a wife I’d survived a lot I
mother a wife I’d survived a lot I
mother a wife I’d survived a lot I survived breast cancer kidney cancer
survived breast cancer kidney cancer
survived breast cancer kidney cancer having my entire large intestine removed
having my entire large intestine removed
having my entire large intestine removed for ulcerative colitis who knew you
for ulcerative colitis who knew you
for ulcerative colitis who knew you could survive without all those body
could survive without all those body
could survive without all those body parts I should have been doing the happy
parts I should have been doing the happy
parts I should have been doing the happy dance every day just to be alive I’m
dance every day just to be alive I’m
dance every day just to be alive I’m ashamed to admit I wasn’t in 2009 things
ashamed to admit I wasn’t in 2009 things
ashamed to admit I wasn’t in 2009 things had changed the economy tanked my job
had changed the economy tanked my job
had changed the economy tanked my job changed technology changed but I didn’t
changed technology changed but I didn’t
changed technology changed but I didn’t want to change I dug my heels in I felt
want to change I dug my heels in I felt
want to change I dug my heels in I felt angry and isolated the low point came
angry and isolated the low point came
angry and isolated the low point came when my daughter came home for the
when my daughter came home for the
when my daughter came home for the holidays and she looked at me and she
holidays and she looked at me and she
holidays and she looked at me and she said mom what the heck is wrong with you
said mom what the heck is wrong with you
said mom what the heck is wrong with you you
you
you gotta fix this I said leave me alone she
gotta fix this I said leave me alone she
gotta fix this I said leave me alone she said no you’re a survivor I know what
said no you’re a survivor I know what
said no you’re a survivor I know what you need to do you need to do something
you need to do you need to do something
you need to do you need to do something new every day and blog about it she
new every day and blog about it she
new every day and blog about it she bugged me and bugged me
bugged me and bugged me
bugged me and bugged me I said listen who can do that that’s
I said listen who can do that that’s
I said listen who can do that that’s crazy I am working full-time and besides
crazy I am working full-time and besides
crazy I am working full-time and besides I’m not even sure I knew what a blog was
I’m not even sure I knew what a blog was
I’m not even sure I knew what a blog was at that point she’s the one though who
at that point she’s the one though who
at that point she’s the one though who said listen just make a simple list a
said listen just make a simple list a
said listen just make a simple list a simple list of simple things you’ve
simple list of simple things you’ve
simple list of simple things you’ve never done and that’s how you’re first
never done and that’s how you’re first
never done and that’s how you’re first and this list was born now you can see
and this list was born now you can see
and this list was born now you can see the mental state I was in because at the
the mental state I was in because at the
the mental state I was in because at the top of my list was eat dessert all day
top of my list was eat dessert all day
top of my list was eat dessert all day doesn’t that sound good I can assure you
doesn’t that sound good I can assure you
doesn’t that sound good I can assure you from experience by 3 o’clock in the
from experience by 3 o’clock in the
from experience by 3 o’clock in the afternoon it’s horrible but I highly
afternoon it’s horrible but I highly
afternoon it’s horrible but I highly recommend making a list because that
recommend making a list because that
recommend making a list because that turns out to be a powerful first step a
turns out to be a powerful first step a
turns out to be a powerful first step a reminder of all the things we’ve yet to
reminder of all the things we’ve yet to
reminder of all the things we’ve yet to do but we decided if I was really going
do but we decided if I was really going
do but we decided if I was really going to start this journey I had to start
to start this journey I had to start
to start this journey I had to start with something big and symbolic and way
with something big and symbolic and way
with something big and symbolic and way outside my comfort zone and we couldn’t
outside my comfort zone and we couldn’t
outside my comfort zone and we couldn’t think of anything bigger than the Polar
think of anything bigger than the Polar
think of anything bigger than the Polar Bear Plunge in Atlantic City New Year’s
Bear Plunge in Atlantic City New Year’s
Bear Plunge in Atlantic City New Year’s Day yes oh my gosh now I know in a way
Day yes oh my gosh now I know in a way
Day yes oh my gosh now I know in a way it sounds cliche middle-aged woman get
it sounds cliche middle-aged woman get
it sounds cliche middle-aged woman get stuck and runs into a freezing ocean but
stuck and runs into a freezing ocean but
stuck and runs into a freezing ocean but I am terrified of the ocean I don’t go
I am terrified of the ocean I don’t go
I am terrified of the ocean I don’t go into the ocean in the middle of summer
into the ocean in the middle of summer
into the ocean in the middle of summer much less the middle of winter and I
much less the middle of winter and I
much less the middle of winter and I hate the cold so when we get there I’m
hate the cold so when we get there I’m
hate the cold so when we get there I’m shaking in my bathing suit and I’m
shaking in my bathing suit and I’m
shaking in my bathing suit and I’m thinking you know what I’d like to quit
thinking you know what I’d like to quit
thinking you know what I’d like to quit before we even start I don’t want to do
before we even start I don’t want to do
before we even start I don’t want to do this this is a stupid idea
this this is a stupid idea
this this is a stupid idea then I look at my daughter and I don’t
then I look at my daughter and I don’t
then I look at my daughter and I don’t want to disappoint her fortunately this
want to disappoint her fortunately this
want to disappoint her fortunately this lovely guy in a speedo who I do not know
lovely guy in a speedo who I do not know
lovely guy in a speedo who I do not know grabs my hand and pulls me into the
grabs my hand and pulls me into the
grabs my hand and pulls me into the ocean and I fall face down
ocean and I fall face down
ocean and I fall face down that was 3,000 155 days ago
that was 3,000 155 days ago
that was 3,000 155 days ago I remember it like it was yesterday
I remember it like it was yesterday
I remember it like it was yesterday because when speedo guy picked me up out
because when speedo guy picked me up out
because when speedo guy picked me up out of the water something happened there
of the water something happened there
of the water something happened there was a shift I felt different
was a shift I felt different
was a shift I felt different I felt exhilarated I felt courageous
I felt exhilarated I felt courageous
I felt exhilarated I felt courageous alive alive in a way I hadn’t felt in a
alive alive in a way I hadn’t felt in a
alive alive in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time and I knew I should just keep
long time and I knew I should just keep
long time and I knew I should just keep going and that’s the first day I felt
going and that’s the first day I felt
going and that’s the first day I felt the power of do the new and as I did one
the power of do the new and as I did one
the power of do the new and as I did one new thing after another I felt lighter
new thing after another I felt lighter
new thing after another I felt lighter and happier and I wanted to know why I
and happier and I wanted to know why I
and happier and I wanted to know why I started doing some research here are the
started doing some research here are the
started doing some research here are the cliff notes there’s a neuroscientist by
cliff notes there’s a neuroscientist by
cliff notes there’s a neuroscientist by the name of David Eagleman who’s done
the name of David Eagleman who’s done
the name of David Eagleman who’s done extensive research on how the brain
extensive research on how the brain
extensive research on how the brain perceives time it turns out when you do
perceives time it turns out when you do
perceives time it turns out when you do the new the brain has to wake up it has
the new the brain has to wake up it has
the new the brain has to wake up it has to process that new information in a new
to process that new information in a new
to process that new information in a new way and so it can feel like time is
way and so it can feel like time is
way and so it can feel like time is slowing down it becomes memorable
slowing down it becomes memorable
slowing down it becomes memorable conversely as we get older and we start
conversely as we get older and we start
conversely as we get older and we start doing the same things over and over
doing the same things over and over
doing the same things over and over again the brain doesn’t have to pay
again the brain doesn’t have to pay
again the brain doesn’t have to pay attention it goes into autopilot that
attention it goes into autopilot that
attention it goes into autopilot that may be why sometimes you don’t remember
may be why sometimes you don’t remember
may be why sometimes you don’t remember what you did yesterday unless you do the
what you did yesterday unless you do the
what you did yesterday unless you do the new and there’s more research shows when
new and there’s more research shows when
new and there’s more research shows when you do the new the feel-good chemical
you do the new the feel-good chemical
you do the new the feel-good chemical dopamine is released in the brain and
dopamine is released in the brain and
dopamine is released in the brain and even if you just see a new image there’s
even if you just see a new image there’s
even if you just see a new image there’s a mid region of the brain that lights up
a mid region of the brain that lights up
a mid region of the brain that lights up so let’s review do the new time slows
so let’s review do the new time slows
so let’s review do the new time slows down for a memorable experience you get
down for a memorable experience you get
down for a memorable experience you get a hit of dopamine and your brain lights
a hit of dopamine and your brain lights
a hit of dopamine and your brain lights up party in the brain but maybe you’re
up party in the brain but maybe you’re
up party in the brain but maybe you’re thinking I don’t have time for this I’m
thinking I don’t have time for this I’m
thinking I don’t have time for this I’m not that adventurous I’ve got
not that adventurous I’ve got
not that adventurous I’ve got responsibilities do the new doesn’t mean
responsibilities do the new doesn’t mean
responsibilities do the new doesn’t mean do the exotic a lot of the things I did
do the exotic a lot of the things I did
do the exotic a lot of the things I did just took a few minutes I bought my
just took a few minutes I bought my
just took a few minutes I bought my first lottery ticket I planted my first
first lottery ticket I planted my first
first lottery ticket I planted my first herb garden
herb garden
herb garden I ate a scorpion blah yeah but I found
I ate a scorpion blah yeah but I found
I ate a scorpion blah yeah but I found even the simplest things gave an UMP a
even the simplest things gave an UMP a
even the simplest things gave an UMP a presence to my day there were days I
presence to my day there were days I
presence to my day there were days I wanted to quit I think the worst day was
wanted to quit I think the worst day was
wanted to quit I think the worst day was the day I had to put my sweet dog angel
the day I had to put my sweet dog angel
the day I had to put my sweet dog angel to sleep I didn’t want to blog I’m what
to sleep I didn’t want to blog I’m what
to sleep I didn’t want to blog I’m what didn’t want to talk to anyone I just
didn’t want to talk to anyone I just
didn’t want to talk to anyone I just wanted to cry but at that point people
wanted to cry but at that point people
wanted to cry but at that point people were following me and they encouraged me
were following me and they encouraged me
were following me and they encouraged me to keep going and they were inviting me
to keep going and they were inviting me
to keep going and they were inviting me to do things I was invited to and Irish
to do things I was invited to and Irish
to do things I was invited to and Irish Huli I was invited to hula hoop I was
Huli I was invited to hula hoop I was
Huli I was invited to hula hoop I was invited to pose nude I turned that one
invited to pose nude I turned that one
invited to pose nude I turned that one down but I learned to resist no for the
down but I learned to resist no for the
down but I learned to resist no for the rewards of yes and I’d like to
rewards of yes and I’d like to
rewards of yes and I’d like to demonstrate with your help if you would
demonstrate with your help if you would
demonstrate with your help if you would just turn to the person next to you look
just turn to the person next to you look
just turn to the person next to you look at them and now put your hands up to
at them and now put your hands up to
at them and now put your hands up to your head like this excellent now I want
your head like this excellent now I want
your head like this excellent now I want everyone to make the craziest face
everyone to make the craziest face
everyone to make the craziest face possible
ah okay I saw a few of you resist I saw
ah okay I saw a few of you resist I saw a few of you resist thinking with your
a few of you resist thinking with your
a few of you resist thinking with your no voice right but most of you pushed
no voice right but most of you pushed
no voice right but most of you pushed through no because you realize the risk
through no because you realize the risk
through no because you realize the risk is very small and you were rewarded with
is very small and you were rewarded with
is very small and you were rewarded with a smile with laughter you just
a smile with laughter you just
a smile with laughter you just experienced do the new and as you do the
experienced do the new and as you do the
experienced do the new and as you do the new more often and you take risks large
new more often and you take risks large
new more often and you take risks large and small you start getting a different
and small you start getting a different
and small you start getting a different perspective on fear I realized well if I
perspective on fear I realized well if I
perspective on fear I realized well if I could do the Polar Bear Plunge I could
could do the Polar Bear Plunge I could
could do the Polar Bear Plunge I could do the mechanical bull if I could do the
do the mechanical bull if I could do the
do the mechanical bull if I could do the mechanical bull I could go to the movies
mechanical bull I could go to the movies
mechanical bull I could go to the movies by myself I could learn to tweet I could
by myself I could learn to tweet I could
by myself I could learn to tweet I could go back to school
go back to school
go back to school I could teach school I could do anything
I could teach school I could do anything
I could teach school I could do anything okay almost anything and I know anyone
okay almost anything and I know anyone
okay almost anything and I know anyone can do this I now hear from people all
can do this I now hear from people all
can do this I now hear from people all over the world who’ve told me about
over the world who’ve told me about
over the world who’ve told me about their own unique journeys of new
their own unique journeys of new
their own unique journeys of new experiences and how their lives have
experiences and how their lives have
experiences and how their lives have changed and started with just one new
changed and started with just one new
changed and started with just one new thing and I think the belief that we all
thing and I think the belief that we all
thing and I think the belief that we all share is that we shouldn’t cheat
share is that we shouldn’t cheat
share is that we shouldn’t cheat ourselves of what life can be an
ourselves of what life can be an
ourselves of what life can be an adventure we find out who we really are
adventure we find out who we really are
adventure we find out who we really are and the possibilities are endless
people ask me all the time
people ask me all the time what is your favorite first and this is
what is your favorite first and this is
what is your favorite first and this is it a friend of mine dared me to go talk
it a friend of mine dared me to go talk
it a friend of mine dared me to go talk to a complete and total stranger to find
to a complete and total stranger to find
to a complete and total stranger to find someone who looked as different from me
someone who looked as different from me
someone who looked as different from me as possible and have a discussion about
as possible and have a discussion about
as possible and have a discussion about life I thought well that’s easy so I
life I thought well that’s easy so I
life I thought well that’s easy so I went to Rittenhouse Square in
went to Rittenhouse Square in
went to Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia and I started looking for
Philadelphia and I started looking for
Philadelphia and I started looking for someone to talk to
someone to talk to
someone to talk to and I realized as I was looking at
and I realized as I was looking at
and I realized as I was looking at people everyone looked away but not this
people everyone looked away but not this
people everyone looked away but not this man he was sitting on a bench by himself
man he was sitting on a bench by himself
man he was sitting on a bench by himself he looks sad
he looks sad
he looks sad and lonely he had bags at his feet I
and lonely he had bags at his feet I
and lonely he had bags at his feet I wasn’t sure of his circumstances and I
wasn’t sure of his circumstances and I
wasn’t sure of his circumstances and I went by him a couple times before I
went by him a couple times before I
went by him a couple times before I finally got up the nerve to just plop
finally got up the nerve to just plop
finally got up the nerve to just plop myself down next to him I said nice day
myself down next to him I said nice day
myself down next to him I said nice day we’re having it sure is his face just
we’re having it sure is his face just
we’re having it sure is his face just lit up I said do you come here often I
lit up I said do you come here often I
lit up I said do you come here often I do since my wife died he ended up
do since my wife died he ended up
do since my wife died he ended up telling me this incredible story about
telling me this incredible story about
telling me this incredible story about how he and his wife had travelled the
how he and his wife had travelled the
how he and his wife had travelled the world and they both had their own
world and they both had their own
world and they both had their own businesses and he loved her and he
businesses and he loved her and he
businesses and he loved her and he missed her I finally had to ask what
missed her I finally had to ask what
missed her I finally had to ask what happened she died of breast cancer I’m a
happened she died of breast cancer I’m a
happened she died of breast cancer I’m a breast cancer survivor he looked at me
breast cancer survivor he looked at me
breast cancer survivor he looked at me like I was an angel and it felt like
like I was an angel and it felt like
like I was an angel and it felt like time slowed down we were so connected
time slowed down we were so connected
time slowed down we were so connected and he finally asked what made you stop
and he finally asked what made you stop
and he finally asked what made you stop and talk to me today
and talk to me today
and talk to me today I told him about my journey and then he
I told him about my journey and then he
I told him about my journey and then he recited a poem that his wife left him
recited a poem that his wife left him
recited a poem that his wife left him don’t promise me forever love me today
don’t promise me forever love me today
don’t promise me forever love me today you know I have looked for this man so
you know I have looked for this man so
you know I have looked for this man so many times I’ve never seen him again
many times I’ve never seen him again
many times I’ve never seen him again sometimes I think he was sent to me to
sometimes I think he was sent to me to
sometimes I think he was sent to me to remind me that we are all connected and
remind me that we are all connected and
remind me that we are all connected and we don’t have forever we have today and
we don’t have forever we have today and
we don’t have forever we have today and today you have a choice you get to
today you have a choice you get to
today you have a choice you get to choose you can choose to listen to your
choose you can choose to listen to your
choose you can choose to listen to your no voice and continue down the road to
no voice and continue down the road to
no voice and continue down the road to stuck or you can say yes you can slow
stuck or you can say yes you can slow
stuck or you can say yes you can slow down time and light up your brain and
down time and light up your brain and
down time and light up your brain and experience the euphoria of new things
experience the euphoria of new things
experience the euphoria of new things you already started with this that’s one
you already started with this that’s one
you already started with this that’s one down
down
down a lifetime of new experiences to go I
a lifetime of new experiences to go I
a lifetime of new experiences to go I encourage you I dare you do the new
”
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