Go native...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away.
-anonymous

Marc Anthony did it in Egypt. Barak Obama is doing it in Pennsylvania. Chris Rock will do it when he opens in Europe. We do it everyday.

It's called "going native." Generally the term refers to someone who adopts a culture other than their own in a way that makes them like one of the locals.

The difference between Anthony, Obama, Rock and most people is that the former go native on an huge scale. Marc Anthony took up with Cleopatra in a way that made history for the Roman Empire. Barak Obama strapped on bowling shoes to connect with Pennsylvanians. Chris Rock, famous for his inability to shake his New Yorker penchant for walking around a city despite his mega star fame, will undoubtly wander around his hotel's neighborhood when he plays his first European tour later this year.

These classic figures from past and present go native in an attempt to connect with people. They adopt a viewpoint of the local population in an effort to see the world through other people's eyes. This in turn allows them to better achieve a goal they have in mind for themselves. Anthony wanted to rule an empire. Obama wants to capture the vote. Rock wants to reach a new international audience.

Their goals are lofty. They impact millions. They dream big -- very big.

They dare. They reach. They cut a path of their own in history.

Meanwhile, most people go native just to get along in their daily lives. They adopt the culture of their work environment -- even if it is contrary to their own value system. They work to blend in with their new neighborhood. They dress for the social event and change their attitude accordingly.

Most people go native to be anonymous.

Better to remember that life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away.

Go native, in a way that expands your world.

Start with something small. Experience a new culture by eating dinner at a place where you don't know the language or the menu.

Strike up a conversation with a person from a different culture. Make that person a new friend.

Then kick up going native a notch. Decide to travel someplace cool. The Na Pali Coast State Park (picture above) in Hawaii could do.

Drop anonymity. Do something different.

Start going native in a way that changes the course of history for you.

And by doing so, begin to measure life by the number of moments that take your breath away instead of by the number of breaths you take.