One Year Later

Well this year has certainly brought a lot of changes, when I started this 40 before 40 idea I knew that a move to the US was on the horizon. I didn’t think it would take nearly as long as it did you get Lohana here, but moving back to the US and getting somewhat established really took a lot of energy out of me and my list certainly reflects that.

I guess to some these are excuses, but the fact that is doing stuff is hard. So as an aside since March 2017 I moved back from Costa Rica, worked 2 jobs over the summer in Wisconsin Dells before landing a wonderful job with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) in Portage. My wife has been in the US since November and that has been nothing short of an adventure every day. She is a wonderful woman who I fall more in love with every day.

Since the list of completions is short here is a brief rundown (excuses included)

Better me:

#1 – 8 Big goose egg.

#9 – Gotten to 5 of the planned 20. This seems on par for over the 4 years. However, the challenge is places like Devil’s Lake are so beautiful I go back there before I explore a new location. Lots of time left!

#10 – 13 We have a lot of traveling to do in the next three years.

#14 – I have a job where social media and name recognition come as part of the role, meaning this will be incredibly difficult to achieve in my current position. I have considered modifying it to only be work related posting, but these lines are extremely difficult to draw.

#15 – Since January 1, 2018 I have not had a single drop of alcohol. I have taken to drinking craft sodas when out in public and lots of water

Maybe being from Wisconsin, maybe being back in Wisconsin, but it is undeniable that we live in a drinking culture. I know this comes as no surprise, but it is so engrained in most everything that we do.

Not drinking I have become hyper sensitive to this reality, when we go out for fish on Fridays I would normally have a beer, when I fire up the grill it is time for a drink, family gatherings, friends meeting up. Alcohol is really the thing we do when we are celebrating, gathering as friends and family, or even the thing we do when we don’t know what we should be doing.

At the risk of sounding sanctimonious, although I have also responsibly used alcohol and it has been part of some fun memories. Most of the decisions are regret throughout my life have somehow involved alcohol as well. Generally lowered inhibitions and lack of caring gave way to terrible decisions or regrets later.

I think the worst part of this is that I used alcohol in replacement of genuine social interactions. The alcohol in some cases became the focus of the good times, instead of living in the moment, connecting with the people around me, and living my best life. This isn’t to say that I am not going to drink ever again, or that I will be sober for the rest of my life, but I would like to think that

#16 – Nope, not yet.

#17 – It is undeniable my study of the bible has increased, that my faith has grown exponentially and that digging deeper into the scriptures than ever before in my life. However, in this goal I am trudging through the heavy front books and am into Numbers. The suggestion was made to look for God’s grace, God’s mercy, and God’s justice in the old testament and moving forward that is exactly what I am going to do.

#18 – 20 More traveling, not yet, not yet.

#21 – Words are so important. The things any of us say daily, they can build up, they can tear down, words are easily misinterpreted or manipulated. My intent is not to make this a pointed post about the state of national politics, or what is happening in the larger world regarding truth. Those things weigh so heavily on my heart and I pray for the pain we intentionally cause one in the quest to be right, or prove someone else is wrong.

This goal is focused on the way that I interact with the world around me. With my family and friends. Even within our own relationships there are chances to know better than the other person, to break each other down instead of build each other up. No one is perfect, and we all have our days, but I am hopeful that me being around is an overall positive experience for those I interact with.

#22 –  Again not yet

#23 –  We are growing a garden, though this will still be a challenge. But it will happen.

#24 – Continuing to seek options

#25 – There are so many great touring acts, in addition to seeing Brother Ali last year and Nick Offerman stand up, I relived a part of my college years with a Pat McCurdy show.

#26 –  Fail! I am terrible at this, oh well.

Better World

#1 – I attended a murder mystery party, it was as fun as I thought it would be! I can’t wait to host one.

#2 – The world is a painful place. I have taken small steps trying to make people laugh, trying to bless their days

#3 – These hand written notes were the easiest one. I have done 8 of the 16. It really is fun to tell people all the things you like about them and appreciate. I HIGHLY recommend you do this, even if it isn’t via hand written notes. Show them, tell them, do something! Life is too short.

#4 – Working on it.

#5 – 7 This year I started a new job for a nonprofit, so my fundraising goals focused a little more on making the CASA Budget. I have been overwhelmed at the support that my friends and family have stepped up to provide to me in this new role. I am proud to say that with your help we have raised $2430 for Columbia County CASA. I am literally $70 away from my first $2500 goal, and although not to one of the places I originally thought, I will change focuses throughout the next few years. As the Executive Director of a small non profit, I can tell you that this money really means a lot to our organization.

#8 – #13 This job has literally sucked away my time. I have been active and helping at church, I volunteered a few hours at the food pantry, but a new strategy is definitely in order. What you do with your time, where you spend you time, HOW you spend it it is so unimaginably important. At the risk of getting too cliché, we have a finite amount of minutes in this world, be the best you for each one.

#14 – Still working on this…hehehe

Though the check marks are not racking up at the pace I had intended. I still encourage everyone to write a list of things that they want to do. Maybe not as extensive as a 4-year program, what about within the month, within the year, or maybe 5 years out. I always thought that motivational speakers and guidance counselors were full of garbage when they talk about a 5-year plan. I know for me, writing this list meant that I also had to face the fact that I may fail. That is the reality and since I did not complete some of the yearly goals such as the amount of time I wanted to volunteer for various causes, that is OK.

The larger take away is these goals, this direction is no longer some far off “someday” today can be someday! Every day is someday!

Thank you all for being part of my journey and here is to another year!