Who I want to be

A couple of years back in early summer I was out for a run. If you knew anything about where I live, you would know that this is an area with extensive rice fields. And if you know anything about running, you would know that extensive rice fields are one of the best places to go for a run. This area is no different.

So there I was out in the middle of the rice fields early in the morning, say 6am. Usually the only people up and about at that time of day are walking their dogs, or the farmers tending to their crops. And usually the people who go out into the middle of the rice fields at that time of day, are those crazy non-Japanese people who just love to bask in the glory of the rice fields.

Like I was.

And then I saw him.

Deck chair. Beach umbrella. Book. Legs up on a wine cooler, as cool as a cucumber.

This guy had no cares for the world. He had no intention of doing anything else than to sit out in the middle of the rice fields with nothing but a bit of air and maybe a few mosquitoes getting between him and his book.

This guy was loving life, and loving it.

That’s who I want to be. That’s what I want to do. To simply do what feels right in the moment, and to not have any care in the world about it either.

Needless to say, I was impressed. This guy gets my vote. So I kept on keeping on, and let him go about his day, all the while hoping that one day that would be me.