Laura Cook Newman //October 3, 2013//
A milestone birthday is in my immediate future. Next week, I gain entry to the “fourth floor”.
Like New Year’s Eve, birthdays are a good time for resolutions; except we don’t call them that. Instead we pause for a moment, conjure up a wish, blow out a candle (or 40), and hope for the best.
It seems like we put more effort into submitting our expense report than making our dreams reality. This wish-making business sounds a bit wishy-washy to me.
If it’s important, you’ll find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.
Lately, this mantra’s been on auto play in my brain like a catchy Top 40 tune. Since planning my future is important, I take pen to paper and begin to craft my “wishes”.
It makes perfect sense to start today and map out 10, 20, 30, 40 years ahead. But this task feels like pushing a boulder up Mt. Massive. Writer’s block sets in immediately paralyzing my progress.
Then it occurs to me I’m going about this ALL WRONG.
Scrapping my original strategy, prior to my birthday – of all days – I decide to write my own eulogy. Relinquishing the obvious thoughts of mortality, my Sisyphean struggle ceases.
I won’t bore you with the details of my eulogy (spoiler alert: Anthony Bourdain and I run away to Bora Bora and open up the world’s coolest Tiki Bar). Instead, I leave this fulfilling discovery of self-awareness in your capable hands.
Start with the end result in mind and work your way backwards.
Some suggestions to get you started thinking about your life’s script:
Remember: If it’s important, you’ll find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.
I wish you luck.