Inspiration can grab you at the oddest places, and if you’re paying attention, you’ll find something you didn’t know you needed.

Vail Village is my happy place. Anyone who knows me knows that Dennis and I go there twice yearly to soak it all in, from the crisp air to the cobblestone streets, the charming alpine influence, and the incredible food and drinks.   

But my favorite part of Vail is the strolls we take. 

YOLO. Hi.

We must’ve walked past these birch trees a hundred times without anything seeming amiss. At first, I thought it might have been something I’d overlooked. But not so. As the years have passed, these carvings are like tattoos etched into the skin and exposed to years of living. The words have bled into the tree so that they are almost unrecognizable. Almost.

“YOLO.”

“Hi.”

It’s like the tree is saying, “Hi, Lyndi. Stop and look at me for a minute. You only live once, remember?”

Deep breaths.

Just about everyone I know is feeling overwhelmed right now. If that’s you, too, I am sorry you’re feeling it, too. The majority is handling it well, and some are even thriving. Me? I’d give myself a D minus. Not quite flunking but not a star student. And I LOVE being a star student.

But that’s okay. Because overwhelm should be temporary. 

If it’s not temporary, you fix it. 

If it is temporary, you can feel good that you got through it and made the most of it. 

Because you only live once.

That’s right… YOLO.

In other words, stop and look at me for a minute because I have something to tell you. “You only live once, remember?” 

And I’m telling myself.

Only an acronym. 

YOLO is only an acronym, after all. It’s meant for someone to be spontaneous! Or to take a risk! Jump off that bluff into the river! Sky dive! Eat that hot pepper! Cut your hair short!

However, I propose that we consider YOLO as… strolling.

That’s right.

Strolling.

Take the time to consider your steps, walk with a loved one, slow down, and consider all the clutter that is bombarding your life.

The overwhelm.

The things we try to control.

The things we can’t control.

I propose we stop, breathe, look around, and say, “Hi.”

Stroll a familiar path and look around at the changes and the possibilities.

Ten ways to approach a YOLO stroll.

I love that “stroll” can be a noun or a verb. The verb is pretty obvious, which means to walk in a leisurely way. As a noun, “stroll” can mean to take that said leisurely walk, and it also means something more. Something much, much more! 

“A victory or objective that is easily achieved.”

The opposite of overwhelm!

Yessss!!

So here are ten ways to add more YOLO strolls into our lives. 

1. Take a literal leisurely walk. The pace and fresh air will do wonders.
2. Wake up and choose to be happy. Stretch. Smile. Even if it’s only for a moment.
3. Make your bed upon waking up. Do it with intention. You’ll appreciate it tonight.
4. Find ways to make breakfast more meaningful than a rush job.
5. Practice the magical phrase of saying “No thank you.” 
6. Not meeting deadlines? Reconsider employing #5 where you can.
7. Still not exercising like you know you should? Today’s the day to start.
8. Still eating sugar and processed foods like you know you shouldn’t? Change that.
9. Sit in the sun on purpose. No earbuds. No YouTube. Just you.
10. Let go of grudges, hurts, victim mentality, anger, and resentment. These steal life.

What would you add?

Eat well, my friend.

Lyndi