Picked up trash in the neighborhood. I didn’t see much trash when I started, but I still managed to fill a trash bag. Also played a game of Pit with the kids tonight.

When one is very young, the world is small – milk, hugs, sleep, diapers.

As one grows, the world grows too. Everything is new. There is wonder in the eye. A new teacher every year. A new school every few years. New friends. Experimentation. College. Job. Love. Marriage. Kids.

At some point though, the world starts to shrink. Routine. Work. Habits formed. Ruts dug. Saving money.

Eventually, we retire and the world shrinks dramatically. Mole hills become mountains. Routines are fixed. Doctors appointments. Friends and loved ones pass on. Sometimes depression and loneliness.

But there is an escape. If we recognize the ever shrinking world, we can beat it back. We can beat it back with new experiences, new connections, new friends. We can give our time to new causes and new people. It takes a little effort because our ruts can be deep. But it can be done.

The world is shrinking. Are you fighting back?