Two years and counting

1/24/2010

At this very moment I have 729 days, 32 min. until I hit the "big-four-ohhhh…!” My friends and family who have turned 40 say it is really different than other birthdays, and who am I to question my elders or the voice of wisdom? So, I am going to do what I did when I was 12: write a list of dreams* for when I turn 40. When I was 12, 40 seemed liked FOREVER away. Looking back, I should‟ve entitled the list my „lifetime dream list,” but who has any concept of time when you‟re twelve?
So, I want to invite you, the reader, to join me on the road to turning 40. I am going to create a new “list of dreams,” and this time, I have 2 years to put it into practice. I‟m not going to write a list of „goals‟ even though I am goal-oriented. I work better if I live out my „dreams;‟ I am more inspired by dreams than tasks. Maybe it‟s just a game of semantics, but it works for me! Plus, I have a feeling my “dream list” is going to include dreams revolving around principles and improving my character, not just tasks. This list will inspire me to live a life with no regrets, it will put me on a path „over the hill” to a happy ending.
By sitting down and launching this blog, I have already accomplished one of my hopes: enter the “blogosphere.” I am generally about 3 (or is it 10?) years behind social networking trends, but alas…here I am. Not bad for a 38 year-old, huh?
First order of business: write my list. I have had ideas swarming around in my head all day, but I need to narrow it down to twenty, far-reaching, but realistic dreams. Here it goes! Drum roll please (not necessarily in any given order):
1. Enter the blogging world (and keep up on it!);
2. Train myself to wake up with a „Thank You Lord” every morning;
3. Go overseas at least one time for a faith-based purpose;
4. Launch some kind of business (?);
5. Write an old-fashioned, hand-written letter an average of 1x/month (I should have written 24 by the time the two years are up!);
6. Workout 4x/week at least 30 min./day;
7. Memorize the following scripture passages: Psalm 23, John 17, and 2-others tbd;
8. Learn to invest in the stock market (and save $ to invest – do it!) or other key financial arenas;
9. Watch/read/listen to the news at least 1x/day;
10. Compliment my husband on what he has done, not point out what I‟d still like to be done!
11. Focus my prayers/attention on the people I feel God has called me to pray regularly for and invest in as a mentor;
12. Grow closer to the people in our house-church network – be intentional about sending a personal e-mail or phone call 1x/every two weeks
13. Pray with my husband on Christmas mornings (this is our new tradition);
14. Go see a ballet or opera;
15. Put together a type of curriculum for mentoring/structure for training people I‟m mentoring (i.e. figure out what is really key to me and what would I teach?);
16. Pray about our purpose/let God lead us through this transition time – launch a „house-church?;
17. Grow in gifts of the Spirit: Particularly be intentional about deliverance and „power evangelism” (put myself in a posture to grow/receive/learn – how to pray for miracles?);
18. Go to one marriage retreat/or read a book together;
19. Cook something new and fun at least 1x/month;
20. Lose 20 lbs. and improve health by shedding weight.
So that‟s my list. Some dreams are measurable, others are going to be slightly more subjective! I‟m not really sure where we‟ll be going exactly, but my main reasons for starting this blog are accountability, focus, and to build relationship. I imagine there may be a few chuckles at my attempts and failures, some tears shed over the course of two years‟ worth of life‟s lessons and maybe even a profound insight now and then. Thank you for choosing to join me on this journey!



*My “DreamList for When I Turn 40” (written at age 12)
1. Speak in front of a group of 20,000 people w/o throwing up;
2. Travel to all 50 states and every continent but the cold ones;
3. Marry a loyal man;
4. Parasail;
5. Go on a Hot air balloon ride;
6. Have a flourishing career;
7. Tithe all through my life;
8. Grow „in my personal relationship with Jesus Christ”;
9. Publish a book – of poetry or something else;
10. Go to Disneyland when I can remember it well;
11. Go to Japan – visit family plot;
12. Write thank you notes to people;
13. Have a positive attitude;
14. Try to live the golden rule;
15. Go to a good college;
16. take piano lessons;
17. learn to speak Spanish;
18. Help poor people in Ethiopia (or other countries);
19. Visit NY City and Washington D.C. ;
20. Grow my stuffed animal collection/save for kids