Expand Your Horizons

Many people want to “do something” to make their life different but they
don’t want to make big changes. If you are looking to expand your
horizons, here’s some ideas.

1. Attend or teach classes. Most junior colleges offer 1 to 4 week
courses that are reasonable in cost and don’t use a lot of your time.
You can learn by being a student or becoming the leader of the group
(get paid for your expertise). Either way, you win.

2. Join a community group that caters to your interests. You'll gain
more knowledge, meet new people, and probably influence others. You
might want to try a group where you don’t know that much about the topic
or focus; challenges are good for you.

3. Work with the local youth through a school or social groups. Be a
teacher’s aide, a speaker for a particular cause that’s close to your
heart, or a mentor. Mingling with younger people will help you
understand them better and vice versa, especially at sporting events,
fund-raisers, or groups like Scouts or 4-H.

4. Listen to different music. I am fortunate for having been exposed to
a variety of musical styles so I appreciate many types. Don’t get stuck
in one category - the world is alive with sounds and words. Give more
of them a chance to enhance your life.

5. Seniors are always appreciative of extra attention. Senior centers,
retirement homes, and convalescent hospitals are grateful for help from
others. Lead a sing-a-long, call Bingo, help with easy craft projects,
offer to entertain, or just sit and talk. You will be rewarded with a
smile, the making of new friends, and learning more about your
predecessors.

6. Do you go to the same events year after year? That’s fine; it’s also
okay to try out new ones. Attend the “amateur” plays - some are
terrific. Go to an outdoor concert. Check out another sport. Splurge
on a dinner and theater show. Is there an auction nearby?

7. Change your environment periodically. Take a hike - literally.
Drive somewhere different periodically; you’d be amazed and what you can
find within two hours of your home. Go ahead and move the furniture or
the pictures. Internally change too - let yourself daydream more
often. Use visualization to escape the doldrums or routines. Get out
and have some fun.

There you have it. Seven techniques to expand your horizons. You really
have no excuse to ever say “I’m bored, what is there to do?” None take
much money - many are free. You don’t have to devote a lot of time to
any of them. Use your imagination and come up with more. Enjoy your
life and bring pleasure to others while you do so.