How often do you do something just for the heck of it? There’s no specific plan, no dire need—you do it just because. As time passes, it’s easy to get into a rut and become a slave to a set way of being. It’s like a yoke around your neck that’s dragged around by a master you could refuse to obey but feel indebted to because it’s safe and familiar. How dull to have lost the ability to just decide in the moment that you can do something different.

I realize that all of us have responsibilities, but we also have many life situations that aren’t as serious as leaving a patient unsutured on the operating table. I’ll never forget the Thanksgiving when I was about 13 years old. Everyone attended except one of my uncles who lived in Virginia. We were sitting at the table enjoying the meal when out of the blue my mother wondered aloud what my uncle might be doing. My cousin said we should call him. All of a sudden—and without much discussion—we piled into cars (turkey intact) and drove straight to my uncle’s house. We didn’t get there until midnight! They were sleeping, so we threw pebbles at the windows and they got up and finished dinner with us. It was totally off the wall . . . and unforgettable.

Our memories should be woven with unique and wonderful experiences. In the end, it’s not how often we took a walk around the block that will bring a smile to our lips, it’s the day we tried doing it backward. Spontaneity is the surprise that our souls desire. I can’t suggest any activities because it would defeat the purpose! Premeditated spontaneity isn’t living in the moment. So the ball is in your court.