Give me 5
Do you remember the rule of 5? When I was a kid, the rule of 5 stated that any food that was accidentally dropped on the ground was still safe to eat as long as I picked it up before 5 seconds had elapsed. Didn’t matter whether it fell on kitty litter, dog hair or a muddy footprint. The food was still edible. Just brush it off and pop it in. Yum. Of course this rule had no merit. Germs don’t wait for 5 seconds before they jump on-board. It was more of a guideline. And no, I didn’t always eat food that I quickly rescued from the grimy ground. Still don’t.
But the rule of 5 has a more meaningful, and lesser-known application. Think of what can be done in just 5 seconds. You can open a door for another, engage in a quick hello, “how are you” exchange, give another a reassuring smile and pat on the back. You can help a mom who has her hands full while boarding a plane, place her bag in the overhead compartment. You can exchange an interested glance with someone of the opposite sex. You can rescue a toddler about to fall off a jungle gym. Put your dishes in the dishwasher instead of the sink. You can make a decision between steak and honey chicken wrapped in bacon. You can wave a car into your busy line of traffic. You get the picture. 5 seconds can also mean the difference between averting disaster or missing an opportunity. A car arriving an intersection 5 seconds too late can be catastrophic. Being 5 seconds late or early as a door swings open can give you a nice shiner. Being 5 seconds late watching a sporting event could mean missing a crucial highlight. Being 5 seconds late for an appointment may mean you just missed meeting a person of importance. Our lives are made up of a series of 5-second intervals, all strung together to become longer periods of time. Each 5 seconds is important.
For years, the accepted term for taking a short break has been “take 5”. While this references a 5-minute interval, don’t miss the significance. Taking 5 means getting away, recharging, giving your mind a break. Clear the cobwebs. While it might seem like an opportune time to jump on your phone, the truth is that your phone offers no such break. It merely stimulates you in different ways. It’s like taking a break from weightlifting by jumping rope and only serves to wear you down further. When you have the chance to take 5, take advantage. Get to a quiet place, unwind, decompress. Your brain, just like your body, needs a break.
5 is also the number of fingers on your hand. Curl these fingers up and the rule of 5 might mean anger, frustration and lead to physical altercations. Extend your fingers and place your palms upward and your rule of 5 becomes a sign for peace, understanding and generosity. Studies have shown that this body position actually makes us feel better, more open to new ideas, centered. Think of your body position when you rotate your palms toward the sky: your chest opens up, your shoulders as well. You become more accepting and approachable. Place your extended hand over your heart, and you communicate allegiance. Place your hand on the bible and it becomes an oath. An extended hand can also be a military salute. Raise it up high and it becomes a sign of curiosity. Raise it and shake it and it becomes a warm “hello” or “goodbye”. Hold it up high and you might get a congratulatory slap from another’s hand: a high-five! I like the idea of this rule of 5. It allows for so much more meaning and significance.
So, the real question is, what’s your rule of 5? Are you still living by the falsehood that retrieving that food from the ground quickly is the best application? Or are you willing to build your life by building a meaningful life 5 seconds at a time, making the most of your 5 minute breaks and putting your 5 fingers to the best use? My guess is that you will find many ways to build on your rule of 5. Don’t wait! Put it into practice and build your meaningful life one 5 at a time. Now, go have a great day. And don’t drop your food! Love dad.
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