YP Speak

You shouldn’t be reading this right now.

Rather, this is not the inaugural post of the YPC Blog – or it wasn’t
until last night. Of course, until last night I would not have put myself in
the category of ‘long-distance runner’ either; more on that in a moment.

What is Happiness?

Most people associate happiness with a life of leisure – vacations, retirement,
in a word detachment. At many times in life I have allowed myself the daydream
of “If only I had X dollars, then I could hang it all up and be happy.” Reading
this, it may even seem attractive to you on the surface: the thought of walking
away from the daily grind living for nothing more than cabana drinks, tan
lines, and endless rounds of golf.  However,
if we allow ourselves to delve deeper it becomes apparent that true happiness
doesn’t lie in societal extrication.

Think back to your last extended vacation – preferably one primarily steeped
in relaxation. After the first thrilling few days of being away from work,
responsibility, and the CTA how did you really feel? Many of us have parents
and relatives who have recently retired. A clue to happiness likes in observing
them; who among them seem the most satisfied with life?

True happiness lies in living a fully engaged life, a life dedicated to
the pursuit of personal growth and taking risks. The work of University of
Pennsylvania psychologist Martin E. P. Seligman suggests that the happiest
people aren’t the ones who have the most, but the ones who grow the most. A 2005
study by the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), the University of Bonn,
and the German Institute for Economic Research found that “people who enjoy
taking risks are more content with their lives.”

Make a decision today to strive for a more engaged life; you may be surprised
at what you will accomplish:

• Go Big or Go Home – I can’t often think of lessons to be learned
  through a Jim Carrey movie, but the message carried in Yes Man is an exception.
   While not all the risks he took were fruitful,
  enjoyable, or even socially acceptable he provides a great model for living
  your decision. If I have painted an illusion, allow me to dissolve it – risk
  taking won’t be easy – it is right at the bleeding edge of discomfort where the
  greatest growth is possible. Don’t turn back.
• Be a Kid Again – This is not a mandate to buy a Big Wheel and strap on
  some Keds, though if that’s how you roll don’t let me stop you.  Rather here I think to my own son. Kids are
  kids for one big reason, to test boundaries. Testing boundaries is one of the
  most important ways in which children develop their image of self and their place
  in the world. How refreshing would it be to reform our own perceptions? Test
  your boundaries at work, in your relationships with friends and partners, and
  with your family. Every day you grow as a person, make sure your boundaries
  reflect who you are.
• Embrace Failure – No one loves a loser, but remember the real loss is
  not having taken the chance. For a hundred years before the first successful summit
  people tried and failed to conquer Everest. They risked life, and limb – often not
  even their dead bodies returned – in the face of almost assured failure.  The outcome of the risk is not what creates
  satisfaction. Happiness comes from who you become as a result of stepping out
  of your comfort zone and dare to grow.

The Running Man

I made a decision at the beginning of 2008 to “Live my life as an
adventure.” Part of that is embracing challenges I never thought possible. Last
night my amazing girlfriend told me that as a step in reaching one of her
personal goals, she needed to complete a 10 mile or longer race by March 31. After
a nationwide marathon and airfare search we settled on the Snickers Energy Bar
Half Marathon in Albany, GA on March 7, 2009. I am not a runner; I bloody hate
running in fact. To think of it she is not a runner either.  Less than four weeks to train for 13.1 miles,
why not? Am I excited – yes. Am I scared – you bet. Would I life my life any
other way – no, if I did I may as well be dead.

 Forgive me if I can’t walk March 8^th.

Fred Cadena is a thirtysomething professional in the financial services area. He lifts weights, cycles, and even does yoga…. but he doesn't didn't run. You can read more from him at fredcadena.com

I have exciting news. In phase two of the new YPC web launch
we will be launching a public blog. The purpose of the blog is twofold. First,
we hope that the timely, pithy blog posts will drive new traffic to our website
and ultimately lead to a fresher, more engaged, membership. The second is to
give our members a voice, a forum, form which they can express their specific
knowledge.

I envision the blog to have posts in three main areas. Those
that give ancillary information around YPC events; an example would be a brief
history of Second City, or improv in general, ahead of an event at Second City.
The idea is to entice the reader with depth, rather than just replicate what is
already in the event calendar. Other posts would fall in the “Experience Chicago”
category. These would be about restaurants, events, etc that are uniquely Chicago.
Such as a preview of some neighborhood street festivals or a review of ‘must
try restaurants’ in a neighborhood. The third category would be business specific
posts. I hope in a way these are the most prevalent because I think it can best
create our niche as well as give our members an opportunity to ‘publish’
information in their industry.    

Please keep checking back for our launch; I am
targeting Feb 16^. th. 

If you are interested in participating in this new YPC initiative please contact me.