What's life all about?

This week from the readings and videos I have thought more about my life as a whole. About a year or so ago in a Public Speaking class we watched the entire "Last Lecture" speech given by Randy Pausch so it was nice revisiting this incredible message given by a man who has left his name in history and has taught more profoundly than some of the most well-known scholars. In the video he states "The brick walls are there to stop the people that don't want it bad enough." What do I want bad enough to get over or through that wall? What am I willing to sacrifice or spend my limited time on? I don't have a full answer to these questions yet, but yes I do want a career full of meaning, yes I do want to make a good salary and provide a comfortable life for my family. But more of what I truly want can be found on the list of 50 things I want to do in my life. Here are some points from my list.

1. Travel to Machu Picchu

2. Build a Pinewood derby car with my son

3. Run a half marathon

4. Serve a senior mission with my wife

5. Pay for a random stranger’s lunch

Those goals plus the 45 others on the list and the many more I will hopefully achieve are what truly make up my story. My hope would be to have a career that not only provides for my family but also allows me to focus on what matters most in my life and the lives of others.

"If your kids want to paint their bedroom, as a favor to me let them do it. It'll be okay"

I loved this comment as I just bought my first home and all I have been thinking about is how to increase the resale value. I have a 7 month old who will spend at least the first 5 or so years of life in this house, I need to be thinking less about how much I will be able to sell my house for and more about how I can be making it a home for my family to live in. He also tells a story about his new car and his sister’s children being told to be very careful and keep it clean. His actions show he truly understood life. He proceeded to open a soda can and pour it over the back seat of the car! Helping all of us remember there is more to life than the "nice things."

In Jefferey A Thompson's speech he talks about Heresies about our callings in life. His second point stood out to me.

2. You have to find your one true calling in order to be fulfilled.

I have seen in my life that I need to set goals and have a plan, but life has a way of leading me in the direction that I need to go. Had I followed my original goals I would be working on becoming a history teacher, I enjoy teaching and helping contribute to people’s success. Chances are my life would have worked out just fine if I followed that path and I would have been able to influence many lives. Currently I am working as a Quality Assurance Coordination with responsibility over a certification program that involves teaching new employees, and auditing internal work that allows me to help employees do their best. My goals of teaching are still being fulfilled, but in a different way.

It has been a great week filled with a lot to think about!