Coconut Almonds

I was on a quest. A quest for Blue Diamond "Toasted Coconut" almonds. Everywhere I went they were sold out and when I asked about them in the store, I got one of two responses; I never heard of that but I want to try them or those are so good but we are out. I was telling my dad about them and he thought it sounded too strange. So strange in fact, that he couldn't imagine buying the almonds if he saw them in the store. So I asked him if he liked almonds. And in fact he loved them. Then I asked him if he like coconut, which I already knew was one of his favorite flavors. In which he replied yes with a big smile at the very thought of coconut. At that point he told me he should of thought of combining almonds and coconut flavor! We laughed and it made me think that sometimes a combination of ideas that are simple can sometimes be the most successful.

We do make everything so difficult? If we want to do something in our life, we should go after it, right? Well, sometimes there is a risk and you have to look at what that risk would entail. But at some point if you want something different there will be a risk to encounter and have to overcome it. I am a fairly logical person and I think there are calculated risks for those who are not as quick to pull the trigger. But again, at some point you have to do something that will feel unnatural or uncomfortable.

Five years ago I was making a good living and earning a salary that most of my friends were striving for. But I knew I couldn't keep on with the same job because I was missing balance and wasn't able to include the things in my life I was passionate about. I sat down and wrote out the things I wanted that had nothing to do with money. My list was not long but it was clear that my job was not bringing me closer to the things that made me feel whole. I decided that I was going to make my goal to have more time and not necessarily more money. I spent two years getting situated and then I was able to look over my finances and see that I could take a pay cut but receive a raise in additional time. It was a risk. What if I took the pay cut and was regretted the change? Only one way to find out, make the change.

One year ago I decided I enjoyed my free time so much that I really should be doing something for work that was more inline with what I considered a hobby. I procrastinated due to fear; the risk, the change, the unknown. But I decided to sit down and write out my goals for the next 2 years and 5 years. My dad chimed in while I was looking at a house in California that was 2.5 million by asking me why was I looking at a house I can not afford. The present day Amy cant afford it but if I want to plan for something, the present day Amy has to acknowledge what the future Amy wants. And how risky is that? Its not, I'm not buying the house right now but Im giving my goals some direction. And even if I don't get that house or any house that is 2.5 million, I know I will be much closer than if I didn't try at all.

The biggest risk to me is always wondering what if I would of tried. Its not about risking everything I have established in my life, Im not that big of a risk taker. I am a planner, I thrive best with a strategy and a goal. And it just doesnt feel like a risk when you give your time, effort, and thoughts towards something you want in your future. I wondered if someone at the Blue Diamond company initially told the guy who wanted to make toasted coconut almonds that it was too much of a risk. Did that guy who already works for the company go forward with the flavor making employee (yes, thats the official title) and make a test batch? And how much did that cost the company? Nothing. They already have a budget to make new flavors for a test group. Did the employee then present his toasted coconut almonds with a fear it might not be accepted? Yes, but it was obviously enjoyed and now sold out because his idea was worthwhile. Maybe none of that happened, but I like to think there are many people and instances where a calculated risk paid off or at least gets you closer to where you want to be.

I wonder what will happen with my new goals? I'm just hoping its as good as the toasted coconut almonds that I eventually did find when I took a chance at a random Rite Aid on my way home from the gym. It wasn't much of a risk to stop there, but it paid off.