Picking up pennies

Whenever I walk by any change on the ground I get the biggest urge to pick it up and I can’t help myself. You can ask my family members or my girlfriend, there has been times where we were walking somewhere and in a hurry and I stopped to grab up one penny.  There’s just something about money on the ground that makes me stop whatever I’m doing and pick it up.

Everyone always makes fun of me when I pick up change, but I don’t care. I’m hoping that I’m not the only one that does this, but I’m not ashamed that I do it. In my eyes, money is money. No matter if it is a penny or a 20 dollar bill I’m going to pick it up. There’s no reason for perfectly good money to go to waste by sitting on the ground as people walk by it.

I feel like wherever I go I find money on the ground, it’s really weird. I could be in the mall, walking down random stairs, or getting out of the car and I’ll see money just sitting there. It’s probably because people don’t value change as much as they should. They part with it like it’s no big deal and that it’s just a hassle to have. It may be true that it is a hassle to carry around change, but it is worth it.

Change really adds up over time. Think of when you were a kid and you had a piggy bank. It’s the same thing. If you pick up the change you find on the ground and you don’t touch that money at all it will add up and help you out in a time of need. It’s simple really. Before you know it you’ll have $300 and be able to get yourself out of a tough situation. My girlfriend and I saved change for our whole senior year and we used it to buy a hamster (which was probably not a good use of it but she is so adorable) and to buy dinner and other miscellaneous things. Every penny I have picked up was worth it.

Sometimes after I come out of a store I feel generous and drop coins on purpose. You might think that this is me not caring about change, but it isn’t that at all. I remember that when I was younger I used to love finding change on the ground because I was a kid and a penny felt like so much to me. I drop change on purpose in hopes that I can make a little boy’s day. It’s just a small act, but as a kid finding a bunch of change on the ground can really make your day.  

I urge you to think twice when you walk by some change. It’ll help you more than it can hurt you. What do you have to lose? Or don’t pick the change up because I’m perfectly happy picking up the change that you just stroll by and don’t bother with. Whether you pick it up or not isn’t really my concern, I just hope that you value change more because in reality it is money and does have worth. Judge me if you want, but I’m going to continue to pick up pennies.

-Eric Proulx                                 

Taking time for granted

Time is something that we all wish we had more of. We complain that we don’t have enough time to do things or we feel like time is moving too quickly. There are so many sayings that we use that refer to time. Time is of the essence. Time flies when you’re having fun. I don’t have enough time is definitely the saying that resonates most with me.

I came across a quote by William Shakespeare, I don’t know where it’s from but it is very profound as most of his writings are. He says, “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, creeps in this petty pace from day to day.” This is seems very obvious when you first think about it. Obviously time doesn’t actually move at different speeds, but still we feel like everything is moving faster than it should be. Clearly this is just our perception of time, but why do we perceive it this way?

From what I’ve noticed in myself and in others, our culture is accustomed to rushing things. We don’t slow down to appreciate things like we should. In our minds things should get done fast so we rush and make them harder for ourselves. By rushing it ends up taking longer because we aren’t worried as much about the quality of what we’re doing. When we rush to finish homework we risk doing it wrong it having to do it all over again. In reality, it would be smart to slow down and pay attention more to detail.

There are so many things we miss when we just rush and don’t pay attention to our surroundings. We rush when we’re driving and we don’t enjoy the things around us. When you’re stuck in traffic you should be able to throw some good music on and just relax because there’s really nothing you can do if you’re stuck in traffic. You just have to wait. It’s not that time is moving faster, we are just perceiving time it different ways in different situations.

If you look at time the same way in every situation then more power to you, but I have yet to witness that. It’s our perception of time that leads to stress. If we would just relax and use our time wisely or plan out the day so that you have a time set do to all of the things you need to, our stress levels would be very low.

It doesn’t matter what you’re doing; if you’re stressed I urge you to take a breath and relax. You have plenty of time to do the things that you need to, you just need to put in the right amount of effort and use the time you have wisely. You should be able to enjoy every second of every day in one way or another. Now that doesn’t mean that you need to like doing the things that you are doing all the time, but you should feel blessed with the time that you have.

We really do take time for granted. Think of those people who are sick and are told they only have 6 months to live. All that those people want is time, and we’re throwing it away like it’s nothing. A greater appreciation of time would lead to a greater appreciation of life itself. Enjoy the time you are given, because we don’t live forever. Use your time wisely and make it count. And always remember that it isn’t the amount of time that matters, it’s how you use that time.

-Eric Proulx

Just a number

Yesterday was a very important day. My dad turned 50. Yes you read that right, 50. But what does this mean in his life? Not what it means for most people. For most people 50 is the age where they have their mid-life crisis or change their life in some way. My dad’s mid-life crisis, if you can even call it that, is probably going to be coaching another basketball team or baseball team.

My dad has always been the kind of guy that likes to help people. He’s always been involved in the community in some way. When I was younger I can’t remember him not being there. He was always either helping out with recreation sports through the recreation committee or coaching or something else. Now that I’m off at college, he’s still that man. I mean the guy had elbow surgery not too long ago and doesn’t even live in the town that he’s coaching a recreation basketball team in. He just wants to be able to be the man that he has always been, a selfless giving role model.

He’s such a great role model, not only for me but for everyone that he has coached or will coach in the future. Hearing other people say that he is a role model for them or that he is a great coach just makes me so happy. Because other people can start to understand how great of a dad he is. I have the privilege to call this great man that you all know and love my dad. I know that he’s very proud of me, but I’m also proud that he’s continuing to be that involved man that he’s always been.

Sometimes turning 50 is a big deal for people, but I don’t see it changing my dad at all. I mentioned that he got elbow surgery. The thing he was worried about most was that he had a good arm slot for throwing. Basically that means that he was worried the most about playing catch with me after surgery. He could have been worried about his elbow not hurting anymore, but instead he was selfless and thought about sharing our love of baseball.

My dad is truly one of the greatest men I know. He’s touched so many lives, and he deserves to be told that. I got a taste of coaching a couple of years ago with him and it was an awesome experience. I can’t wait to coach with him again someday and help out people just like he does.

Age is just a number. It doesn’t matter whether you’re 20 or 50; if you’re active and stay engaged in the community you can continue to help people out. You just have to take initiative. At 50 my dad is a seasoned veteran at coaching and dealing with customers at work. He knows so many people from the area and I always ask him where he knows them from. The common answers are either C&R or rec sports. It’s getting to the point where when kids hear that my dad is coaching they want to play the sport even more. That means something. Even at work the customers love talking to my dad and feel completely comfortable bringing their cars there because of him.

I know that there’s father’s day when you get to show your dad just how much he means to you, but you shouldn’t wait until father’s day to do that. Tell your dad how awesome he is. As often as you can. They’re proud of you, but they’re the ones who raised you to be the way you are. Dad, you may be 50 but I know you can still keep up with me just like you did when you were 35. Keep doing what you’re doing, because you’ve influenced so many people in your life so far. The biggest influence has been on me. I am the man I am because of you. Thank you.

-Eric Proulx

I don't miss it

Everyone always told me that high school would be the best years of my life and that I would miss it when I went to college. Well it may be too soon to tell, but I don’t miss it. Not even in the slightest. I mean, I miss home a lot but high school I don’t even think about really. There are specific things I miss, but not high school in general. The things I think about from high school are definitely more negative than positive.

I’ve gone back to my high school for two events this year and, no offence to anyone there, it was riddled with immaturity. I remember seeing immature kids as a senior in high school, but it definitely seems worse now that I’m out of there. It was amazing just sitting in the auditorium and overhearing the conversations that these kids were having about sex, drugs, and random stupid rumors that have nothing to do with them. The rumors are what I miss the least. Rumors plagued the majority of situations and were an hourly occurrence at my high school. People are so worried about other people’s lives when they should be focusing on their own life. High school would be so much easier and more fun if people would just mind their own business, but instead they’re immature and have to find a way to be a part of everyone’s lives.

Honestly, the three things that I miss the most are friends, the teachers, and baseball. I had some great teachers in high school and although I didn’t always like going to school they taught me a lot. The good thing about the other two things is that they’re still part of my life. I’m still relatively close with my group of friends and it’s always great to go home and have a good time with them. Baseball will always be a part of my life. In high school it was great because I made new friends and got to see younger players develop a lot. Being at college it is the same in the sense that I’m making new friends through baseball, but I’m the young kid that will develop over time.

I don’t miss going to a place with no cell phone service from 8 to 2 everyday with very little freedom. At college you’re responsible for all of your studies and the professors don’t hold your hand like some of the high school teachers do. I would have been in for a very rude awakening if some of my teachers hadn’t prepared me for this. At the time I hated that my high school teachers made it our job to keep up with the work, but now that I’m in college I definitely look back on it with appreciation. The freedom is great, but you need to know how to use that freedom productively. That’s the biggest thing.

I guess, looking back on it, high school wasn’t THAT bad. I do miss some of the things that came with high school, but for the most part I don’t miss high school in general. It may be the best time of your life for some people, but high school was not the best time for me. Would I go back and relive my high school career? Not a chance. Would you?

-Eric Proulx

No more masks

For those of you that know me at all, you likely know that I’m one of the most sarcastic people that you’ll ever meet. Life’s too short to be serious all the time. Am I right? Or am I right? In most situations I find it necessary to use sarcasm. Sarcasm is just a huge part of me and I think it’s important to have a sense of humor. If you don’t have one I hate to break it to you, but chances are you’re boring.

Now I’m not trying to be rude by saying that, but it’s true. People like to be around people that they have fun with, right? Well sarcasm is a key element to having a sense of humor and it’s a great way to be fun and get to know new people. Of course, I learned that late in my life of sarcasm. I was always afraid what other people would think. Whether they would think I’m weird because of my odd sense of humor. But then it hit me, who cares?

Originally I started this blog wanting to talk about just sarcasm, but I guess it’s going a different way. I’ve learned lately that it’s not worth worrying what other people think. I don’t know why I was so self-conscious about my personality. Frankly, I shouldn’t have been. Realizing that I have friends who like being around me just because I’m me really opened my eyes.

No one should be afraid to be themselves most of the time. It’s a horrible feeling. Not to mention that I absolutely hate fake people. And I suppose everyone does. Sometimes it’s completely necessary to put on an act, but if you’re doing it more often than being yourself then something’s wrong. I urge you all to ask yourself if you act the same around your family as you do with your best friends. And then figure out why or why not.

Honestly, once you figure out that being yourself is better for you than putting on a mask you’ll be happier. At school I would always have a mask on, because I didn’t know how people would take my odd sense of humor and the rest of my personality. But I slowly realized that my friends had the same sense of humor as me, and in my senior year I began to act just as I would around my family. Crazy. Sure I might dull the crazy down when I’m with certain people, but it’s still there.

So what is it about you that people love? Why do the people who you can be yourself around like you? Figure that out and you’ll realize that everyone will like you more if you’re yourself and don’t hide who you are. And if they don’t like you, then that’s their loss. Everyone is amazing in their own ways and everyone has someone out there, maybe multiple people, who will enjoy being around them just because they are themselves. 

 You need to find the people that love you for just being you, and forget about the people that you can't be yourself around. Look at that mask you put on, and throw it away. Show that sarcasm or that craziness that you have inside of you. I guarantee everyone has a little crazy in them. So what if some people will judge you? Screw them. They’re missing out. Once you get that in your head, you’ll be in a better place.

-Eric Proulx