When I think about where I was 4 years ago, 14 years ago or 24 years ago. It goes without saying that I am a different person. If you had told 22-year-old me that at the age of 29 I was going to have a transformative, life changing encounter with God, would form a personal relationship with Christ, and accept a position with Strong Missions working in Costa Rica to better the lives of children and families through faith, prayer, and empowerment…that 22 year old would have laughed in your face and probably spouted something about the opiate of the people, people who hypocritically use the bible to hate others, or perhaps religion being a social construct to oppress the masses and find meaning in an otherwise meaningless world.
Many of you reading this may have known me at that time in my life, or even longer. That is where I was at, I own it. There is no doubt I made some mistakes, I was rude, obnoxious, and worst of all hurtful to people around me at times. However, I take pride in investing in personal growth since that time and hope that if I have hurt you in the past, you know that I am truly sorry. I find myself in an amazing place with my wife, my best friend, and soulmate at my side as we strike out to carve our future together. If any of you would like to hear the testimony of my faith journey, where I was, or where I am, I am always more than happy to share just let me know!
As I was pondering the path my life has taken, I came across an interview with Neil Degrasse Tyson where he said “I fear living a life where I could’ve accomplished something and didn’t. That’s what I fear. It is the knowledge that I am going to die that creates the focus that I bring to being alive. The urgency of accomplishment, the need to express love now, not later.” Whether you are a Christian or member of any religion that believes in an afterlife, it is undeniable that the next life will be completely different than this one. Maybe you are an atheist who believes after our eyes close and our heart beats its last, that is it. I have many friends all over this spectrum but these words apply to us all. Live your life, make your life the best if can be, because one day it will be over in this form and you don’t want any what ifs.
So today, for my 36th birthday I have created a list I have been working for a while, this is my 40 before 40 list that hopefully creates a better me and a better world. My goal is to complete this list on or before my 40th birthday. The list is separated into two categories: Better Me and Better World and am putting some requirements in that I will note during the list. For instance, I will try my best to have the runs I complete be part of a fundraiser for a charity or organization.
My other goal was tangible, but realistically accomplishable goals. I will admit that it was hard to not turn this list into a bucket list of every supercool thing that I want to do in life. There are too many sources of beauty in this world. I love traveling so it is on there, but it is by no means the end of the list of where I would like to travel. This list will still take dedication, work, and sacrifice, it will also take support from my wife with whom I want to share many of these adventures.
As I/We complete these goals I will be taking pictures and writing a blurb about completion and sharing that here, so subscribe if you would like to be on my mailing list and receive periodic updates.
So without further ado, here is my Better Before 40 list with notes about why they are important to me.
Better Me
- Skydive
- This is number 1 on my bucket list
- Complete a 5k
- Complete 8k
- Complete a 10k
- Complete a half Marathon
- Complete a full marathon
- This is a progressive latter of completions in which I would like to keep challenging myself through completion of the previous race.
- Take 8 state Capitol Tours – 2 per year
- My long term goal is to visit al 50 state capitals and do that tour.
- Dip a foot in all 5 great lakes
- Visit 20 Wisconsin/Minnesota State Parks
- See Niagara Falls
- See the Grand Canyon
- See Machu Picchu
- Visit Hawaii
- Stay off Facebook for 1 month
- I would like to physically connect with people during these times.
- Be completely sober for 1 year
- I am certainly not an alcoholic, but instead of using things like alcohol to alter my mind, I will invest that time in completing the other items on this list.
- Learn a craft such as sewing, knitting, crocheting
- I have often wanted to do something like this while watching TV or sitting around idle. Time to make it happen!
- Read the bible cover to cover
- I will be looking for a read the bible in a year bible study to keep on track and possibly share with others.
- Summit Cerro Chirripo – Tallest peak in Costa Rica
- Go entire month without eating out
- This includes fast food, take-out, and restaurants.
- Finish Cocori and Crónica de una muerte anunciada
- I want to read more books in Spanish
- Be more aware of my words and their effect on people
- Words have meaning and you impact other people with them. My choice is do I want that impact to be for good or for harm?
- Take dance classes with my wife
- Vegetarian Diet for a month
- Sing/Play music again regularly
- Music is such a huge part of my being and what I like to do. I want to get back into a regular schedule of creating music
- Go to 4 concerts
- I want to enjoy the art of others as well as create
- Create a blog that documents the completion of every item on this list - Pics or it didn’t happen.
- First part CHECK - I know this might sound weird, but I am very bad at documenting things. My older friends will attest, I am terrible at keeping up with people. So this will also take focus and dedication to do.
- Host a Murder Mystery Party
- If you are interested let me know!
- Encourage a total stranger when it appears they are having a bad day
- The byproduct of this will be paying more attention to those around me, to step away from myself and truly pay attention to my surroundings. Looking for that one “starfish” to make a difference.
- Handwrite at least 16 letters to people I care about expressing my appreciation and love for them
- “To express love now, not later.”
- Set up a free hugs booth 2 separate times.
- Raise $2500 for the MS Society
- In honor of my Uncle Darren
- Raise $2500 for Strong Missions
- To continue the work I have seen making a personal difference in the lives of people both from the US and Costa Rica.
- Volunteer or Raise $2500 for Pancreatic Cancer research
- In memory of my Grandma Delvera Teske
- Volunteer at least 40 hours per year at a Food Pantry
- Volunteer at least 40 hours per year at a homeless shelter
- Volunteer at least 40 hours per year for political organizations or candidate that holds the same values as I do
- Volunteer 40 hours per year at a senior care facility
- Volunteer for Relay for Life in Mauston
- Volunteer for Ironman in Madison
- Secret one
- I assume my wife will be the only one who reads this blog. I am planning something for her…Stay tuned
This is an ambitious undertaking to say the least, but I want a direction. I want a list of things that I can use to remind myself that there is a path, a goal, a hope for a better world. They say that life is what happens when you are busy making plans, and I know that this list is no exception. If nothing else the ability to look back and where I am today on my 36th birthday will help to see just how far I have come since then.
