Don’t Be a Chicken. Be a Little More Turkington.

You know the old joke: why did the chicken cross the road?

Over the years, people have had great fun answering that question through the voices of famous thinkers.

Aristotle might say: “It is the nature of chickens to cross roads.”
Shakespeare: “To cross, or not to cross – that is the question.”
Nando’s: “We missed one?”
Captain Kirk: “To boldly go where no chicken has gone before.”

Kate Turkington would cross the road before the rest of us had finished thinking about it, simply to go and see what’s on the other side.

Kate is nearly 92. She has just returned from Tunisia, she is off to Zambia next, and when Mongolia came up in our conversation, her answer was immediate: “I’d go! I may be a bit creaky, but I’ll go!”

Don’t you love that?

Being in Kate’s presence made me wonder if I have become a little too sensible. A little too structured. Maybe even a little bit chicken.

Because wouldn’t you like a little more of what Kate has? More curiosity. More adventure. More spontaneity.

That is why I’ve decided I want to be a lot more Turkington and a little less chicken.

Don’t go cold turkey on spontaneity

I had the most wonderful conversation with Kate recently on Life Chapters, Money Choices, and I came away with one very clear thought: I want to leave more room for spontaneity in my life.

Kate has such a wonderful way of moving through life, and her philosophy is simple: “Take every opportunity. Make every opportunity.” It made me think about how often we start making our worlds smaller without even noticing.

We stay with what we know. We go to the same places. We see the same people. We say no because it feels easier. We tell ourselves we are being sensible, responsible, realistic, and careful.

And sometimes, I think, we think ourselves old.

Now, I am not suggesting we all pack a bag for Mongolia tomorrow, and I am certainly not suggesting we ignore our health, our energy or our responsibilities. There is always a balance.

But I am suggesting that we don’t go cold turkey on adventure and being spontaneous just because we have reached a certain age.

Adventure does not always mean a passport and a long-haul flight. It can be trying a new restaurant, joining a class, learning something, saying yes to an invitation, or noticing the small moments that make you feel awe and gratitude for being here.

It is less about how far you go and more about staying open to life.

And yes, money has a role to play here too. Money matters because it enables the life you want to live. I often see clients make space in their plans for children, grandchildren and family responsibilities. Of course those things matter. But your money should also support your joy and all the experiences that make you feel alive. Sometimes we need to turn a little of that care and attention back towards ourselves.

A Turkington Ritual

Kate shared such a lovely evening ritual. Every night, she taps herself on the shoulder and says, “Well done body, for getting me through another day.”

Then she asks herself five questions:

1. What am I grateful for?
2. What was the highlight of my day?
3. What have I learned?
4. Was I kind?
5. When did I feel most alive today?

It reminds us that there may still be something wonderful waiting on the other side of the road.

So, will you cross the road with me?

Not as a chicken.

As a Turkington.