Life, as opposed to...

A Love Tap | Break.com

The above video is just awesome. And a little inspiring on the same thread as the rest of this post.

I spent a good chunk of today at a funeral. Someone close to me, and close to people close to me, died recently in tragic fashion. As I sat there, isolated from everyone I knew as loved one after loved one got up to talk about this person, I got to thinking. Selfishly, it wasn't about the man for whom I was there to pay homage, but about myself. I know, add it to the list.

Well, I realized something: I want to live a spectacular life. What do I want people to say about me when I pass? I want them to say "That guy really lived!" And maybe, if I'm lucky, they'll then shake their heads and add, "And what a way to go!"

You see, I'm no activist. I don't need to change the whole world. I don't feel particularly driven to right the wrongs of society or champion the underdog. My only legacy, at least the only one that matters to me, is in the few dozen loved ones that will miss me when I'm gone. Okay, a 'few dozen might' be a little generous. I don't want to be the guy that was always working and always tired. I don't want my kids to say I yelled to much or didn't play with them enough. I don't want my wife to say that I wasn't there for her, attentive enough, or loving enough. I want to revel in the successes of those around me as much or more than my own. I want to risk much and enjoy the failure as much as the win. I want to really learn how to play the guitar.

The man who we honored to day was a man who excelled at living. He had some demons that overcame him, which is what led us to today. But while he was alive, that man lived. I wish I had taken notes, or a lesson or two, when I had the chance.

I have no excuse for mediocrity. I wasn't born for it, but I have never really forsaken it. There is a certain comfortableness in being average, in the middle ground. It's almost as though it's where we ought to be, as most people are. But...It's not for me. I want to learn to hate those words: Average. Mediocre. Normal. I want to be described as amazing, extraordinary, or spectacular. No longer will I mill about in the dismal ranks of the many. I shall push forward to the high ground, where footing isn't as firm, but the view is magnificent.

Come with me, if you dare.

I Was Maybe a Little Hasty

I have been trying to accomplish the new goals I set for myself. Really, I have.

Life, however, is still getting the better of me.

I decided a slight revision of the goals is in order.

My new goals...goal...is to quit FedEx Ground. All other goals, while of super importance to me, will wait until this one goal is achieved. I will do it, and hopefully soon.

Until then, I will try not to be a zombie the best I can.

More Motivation Required

Lately, by which I mean the last several months, I have had a hard time motivating myself to be a better person. I don't exercise like I should, eat like I should, or do other things I should (which I won't go into since this post is about weight-loss).

Now, I'll tell you the truth: I'm not a happy camper. My life is so distorted by debt and work, and dominated by sleepiness and needs, that I can hardly do what I am doing. And the thought of adding more tips my mental stability meter dangerously towards bathing with the toaster.

Someone make me run...please?

Hiking and Bueller

We officially kicked off summer. We went on or first mountain hike of the year. Well, it was technically in the mountains, but because of the unseasonal snow at the higher elevations, and the over-flowing, run-off fed rivers, none of our regular trails were available. We found a new one, barely outside the developed valley. And it was great.
Tonight once the kiddos were in bed, Tauni and I watched Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Well, I watched it while Tauni played Sudoku.
I have to say that, for a movie that turned 25 this week, it's still a really good flick. And I want to throw out the parting line from Ferris (not counting that little bit after the credits).
He said: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
I'm no movie our life expert, but I think that that sentence sums up the while film perfectly.
Now, how many us know someone like Ferris in the real world? Someone that can go out into the world and make it theirs? Someone that lives every second of their life because they aren't afraid?
How many of us know someone that has everything go wrong? Someone that send accident prone or unlucky? Someone that seems perpetually frustrated or angry, especially with the world?
Which one are you?
I know that I spend far to much of my life in fear and frustration. And worse, I'm teaching it to my daughters.
We found another geocache today, while hiking. Tons. Of. Fun. We are going to find us a bunch of geocaches this summer.