Today it’s time to invite our first insanely interesting guests on the stage.
Kim and Jason Kotecki are an energetic, interested and curious young couple on an important mission. Quoting their web site:
We believe that life is meant to be lived to the fullest, that our lives should be bursting with big dreams, oodles of passion, and an enthusiastic playfulness. We believe in curiosity, delighting in the little things, and a faith that knows things always work out for the best. We believe that a life that embraces a childlike spirit is a life that is less stressful and way more fun.
So, as a reader of my blog I’m sure you see why I’m so happy to have them answer a few questions and talk to you guys.
Kim and Jason are following their dreams and beliefs through writing, speaking and comic strips. Check out their website to see what Kim and Jason are up for next or test yourself to see if you suffer from Adultitis, a syndrome that makes us act too much like an adult and lose all the fun you had as a kid.
But now, I’ll let Kim and Jason do the talking.
Jarkko: Hi Kim, hi Jason! It’s great to have you guys start this round of interviews on making this the most interesting September so far!
Jason, I really like your “job title”, The Champion of Childhood. But I just have to start by asking you a fundamental question: Why? Why do you think it’s important for grown ups to escape adulthood? Most people just accept it as a law of nature: we grow up, get more responsibilities, and that’s it. You disagree, why is that?
Jason: Well I actually don’t disagree…with all of it.
It is true that we all have to grow up and take on more responsibilities. I’m certainly not advocating that we stop paying our bills and goof around with Play-Doh all day.
What I do disagree with is the idea that once we become adults, we have to start taking everything so seriously, stop asking questions, bury our dreams, and sign up for jobs we hate. There is a major difference between being childISH and childLIKE. If we can uncover some of the childlike traits we all had when we were kids, we can live lives that are less stressful and a heck of a lot more fun.
Jarkko: You have written a manifesto on escaping adulthood that inspires me a lot. One of my favorite ideas in it is the idea of dreaming big. You have built a business around these ideas and it seems that you are doing pretty well. So, how much dreaming big did it take to get to this point? What were people around you saying when you decided to go with this idea instead of picking a regular job?
Jason: It did take a lot of dreaming, and still does! I’m always trying to get myself to dream even bigger. Most people underestimate what they are capable of.
We were fortunate to have many close friends and our parents support us since day one. That has been huge.
To be honest, I think that our parents thought we were a little crazy at first and were concerned about our well-being. But they stood by us. Over the years, they have seen our persistence and determination, and I believe that has really won them over. Now they’re our biggest fans.
I will say that sometimes our own doubts and fears can big a big obstacle to our dreams. Since we are both fans of the band Switchfoot, I’m happy to mention that one of their songs includes the phrase “Doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs.” That’s served as a good reminder over the years.
Kim: Dreaming big is something you have to work on as adults. Unfortunately it doesn’t just happen, like when we were kids.
God speaks in the whispers of your heart and if you choose to listen to those whispers, it’s amazing the path that opens before you.
Jarkko: …Maybe some day I’ll collect the courage to start my own space travel agency then. ;)
When running your own business, I’m sure from time to time you are still confronted with things like paying the rent and making sure you have enough money to survive through the next month that might cause Adultitis to creep in. How do you keep your childlike attitude in those moments?
Jason: We really believe strongly in what we’re doing and we have faith that God is by our side. He has opened doors for us all along, and keeping in tune with that simple childlike faith is sometimes all you can do.
I believe that everything works out for the best, and that problems are opportunities. It’s important to stay positive, which allows you to think creative thoughts. When you’re negative, your mind closes itself off from opportunities and possibilities that might be right under your nose. Keeping that childlike curiosity is key.
Kim: We have had moments with finances, especially, when all we could do is thank God for the challenges, knowing they would make us more faithful and strong. There’s no way we would be able to live this message of Adultitis-free living without our faith.
Kids just grab onto their parent’s hands and walk across the street. They don’t need to worry about their safety, they get to pay attention to the scenery, and they always end up where they’re supposed to be. That’s the imagery we focus on when it comes to our faith and trusting without knowing what’s coming around the corner.
Jarkko: I’m calling this September the Insanely Interesting September to point out that if you look at the world the right way, each month can be even more interesting than the previous one. You’ve had a pretty interesting summer (moving in to the new office, merging your blogs, and so on) so what do you think will make September even more interesting than that for you guys?
Jason: Well, one big highlight is a trip to Arizona that’s coming up in about a week. We have several speaking engagements out there, and neither one of us has been to Arizona before. We’re planning on staying a few extra days to see the Grand Canyon, which I’m totally excited about. People have told us that the pictures you see don’t come close to doing it justice.
We’re also in the middle of adding a ton of new products to our online store which is very exciting and should lead to an insanely interesting end of the year!
Kim: A highlight for me is having the opportunity to jump on stage with Jason for our upcoming speaking programs. We’ve been working together to develop programs that we both deliver side by side, which is a thrill! Being a former teacher, I am anxious to have the chance to “teach” again and the excitement of a new school year is always insanely rejuvenating.
Jarkko: For readers who want to make this month “insanely interesting”, what do you think is the most important skill they should focus on to do it?
Jason: One of the eight “secrets” we talk about is to “Delight in the Little Things.” Kids are masters at this. The world around us is by default “insanely interesting,” but Adultitis can cause us to miss out on a lot. We need to slow down and see things with new eyes. There is no end to how astounded we’d be if we just took the time to see things with a childlike perspective.
Kim: Stop rushing. Breathe deep. Notice the little joys all around you. This will help you delight in the insanely interesting things that life presents you with. Life is filled with countless Cracker Jack prizes, but we miss them when we are acting like headless poultry.
Make sure to delight in your family and friends. Relationships are often the biggest casualties in our fight again busyness.
Jarkko: Looking at my three-and-a-half month old son has already taught me that kids really are interested in everything. Something as simple as a corner of a towel or as you say in your manifesto, a coin they find on the ground can keep them excited for quite a while. What do you think is the first thing we as grown ups should do to get that attitude of exploration back?
Jason: I’d say the first thing is to slow down. People get so caught up in their hectic, fast-paced lifestyles that everything just morphs into “survival mode.” There is no time to notice anything new; all of their energy is spent just keeping up.
Once we slow down — and give ourselves some time to detox — then it’s a matter of changing our surroundings. Go to the zoo. Take a hike somewhere you’ve never been. Try a new restaurant. Spend some time in the part of a bookstore you don’t normally browse.
It won’t be long before that childlike attitude of exploration and curiosity bubbles to the surface, and the new insights and connections you make will benefit you in your work.
Kim: Start asking “why” more, without caring what others might think. Allow yourself the opportunities to discover new things and experiences.
Again, this doesn’t just happen. You have to carve out the time and make it a priority, which means saying no to something else, in order to say yes to new explorations and adventures.
Jarkko: Thanks for your time and all the great answers! As a last question, I’ll pick a classic: Are there some final words you’d like to say to my readers before we finish the interview?
Jason: It has been a pleasure. I have been inspired lately by a quote by author Dan Millman, who said, “Death isn’t sad. What’s sad is how few people really live.” Adultitis robs us of our energy, vitality, passion and dreams.
Life is too short to be spent in a boring, mundane, uninteresting existence. I’d say it’s time for people to live insanely interesting lives!
Kim: Thanks so much, Jarkko! Keep up the fabulous work.
My final thought would be that we should stop living like we are going to die at age 85. Nothing is guaranteed, and although it’s admittedly tough to live each day like it’s your last, it is doable to live life bigger, brighter and bolder. Kids are our examples of how to do this.
This month we’re celebrating Insanely Interesting September. Check out the announcement and participate in the group writing project: What do you find interesting today? What makes this September the most interesting so far? Why are you insanely interested in something? Share your thoughts and see what others have written.
, Jon Foreman sings:
