What is it about being first at something? No one seems to remember their 27th kiss, but they remember their first kiss. Few of us remember our eighth boyfriend, but we remember the first boy who stole our heart. I certainly can't recall how many times in my life I've read a book, but I remember the very first book I read on my own. We remember our first steps (or at least our parents do). We remember our first day of school, our first job, and the first time our hearts were broken.
As a society, we tend to remember those who were first to accomplish something. Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon; George Washington, the first president; and for you fans of "American Ninja Warrior," Kacy Catanzaro, the first woman to get up the warped wall.
Every four years we watch the Olympics and marvel at the athleticism of those who come in first. The fastest runner, fastest swimmer, best skater, or best gymnast. We watch in awe at these amazing feats and ponder all that went into making these seemingly ordinary people so extraordinary in their sport.
Think about the firsts in your life; both those you've seen, and those you've experienced. I think fondly of my first marathon. Although I came in close the end, crossing the finish line was a first for me and I relished the moment, even though the person that actually came in first was hours ahead of me and probably already home soaking in the tub by the time I came stumbling across the finish.
I think that firsts are marvelously tied to hope. When we see someone else accomplish something for the first time, it gives us an idea that we too can accomplish great things. I'm sure I'll never be an Olympic athlete, President of the United States, and certainly I know I'll never walk on the moon, but I see these accomplishments and start to wonder what great feats I might be able to accomplish in my own life.
And there's hope in every day firsts as well. There's hope that perhaps that first kiss could lead to marriage, the white picket fence, and 2.5 children. There's hope in that first job that perhaps you'll learn so much that you'll one day be a CEO running a company of your own.
Do you remember the first time you were behind the wheel of a car? Did you wonder what wonderful places you'd visit after discovering the freedom of the open road? Did your mind drift off to how many places you'd go in life that first time your mom let you walk home from school by yourself? Did your heart all but stop the first time you experienced deep love, loss, or death?
When was the last time you experienced something for the first time? If you haven't had a first since the mullet was all the rage -- why not? Go out and do something you haven't done before; go somewhere new; try something different.
Try the sushi, take that drive down the coast with the top down, stop at the new coffee shop down the street, or just try brushing your teeth with your left hand instead of your right.
Firsts are good. They can open us up to new things we never knew were out there, or remind us of why we love the current things we already have in our life. Firsts can challenge us and remind us that we are smart, capable, and full of life. Firsts can become seconds, thirds, and fourths, and sometimes, just sometimes -- firsts become for life!