Week two: The Bucket List and Who I Am

This week in class was an enjoyable one.  Through our many assignments and readings, I was able to gain a greater understanding of who I am and where I want to go.  One of our assignments this week included making a list of 50 goals in our life, or a bucket list.  I have never done an exercise like this before and I was surprised how hard it was to come up with 50 unique things that weren't just a list of places I wanted to see. It helped me reflect on what I wanted and what I wanted to do.  Family is a big part of my life, and focusing on myself was difficult.  I would like to share a few here in no particular order.

1. Eat sushi in Japan
2. Take my wife to Europe
3. Skydive
4. Visit every major league baseball stadium
5. Umpire a professional baseball game.

In class, we also read an article called, What Is Your Calling in Life? by Jeffery A. Thompson.  In the paper, he shared some, what he called, heresies about having a calling in your work.  The one I wanted to share here was, "When you find your calling, work will be bliss."  I have been blessed to own and operate my own I.T. company for over 10 years.  I love what I do, and love the people I help. It is rewarding and often challenging.  I enjoy that my work changes day to day.  With those positive things, it's also very hard at times.  I work alone and don't have anyone to help with everyday things and when it gets hard, it's completely up to me.  I don't get paid sick days or paid holidays.  I have learned that through that, those things help me enjoy what I do.  The hard things are part of the journey.  Easy does not equal best.

We also talked about dreaming this week.  I think dreaming is very important in our lives.  If we don't dream big, we stay stagnant.  When I get comfortable in life, I stop pushing boundaries.  When I was a kid I also dreamed of owning a large business and being a millionaire.  I was well on my way owning my own business in my early 20s.  Then after having kids I was afraid to expand and grow because what I had was pretty good.  Now I know that I need to pick up that dream again and move forward. With time I know I can get there.

We also listened to Randy Paunch and his final lecture. I think he fulfilled his dreams because he wasn't afraid to "fail".  He was always learning, building and trying.



I'm looking forward to new readings and lessons next week.  Until then.

Brad