I’ve been searching for work, and I’ve gone on a number of interviews. I have a specific first interview look: from each article of clothing to the way I part my hair, my appearance is the same for every first interview.
This morning, I loaded up my stuff into the car and going through my checklist: matching blazer and bottoms, check; soft blue top, check; dark blue shoes, check; contacts, check; padfolio with resumes and pen, check; spare pen, check; … necklace … where did that treble clef necklace go?
I thought I knew precisely where it was, so I checked. Nope. So I checked the next place. Nope. I furrowed my eyebrows and thought, lifting my right hand to my neck to play with the pendant currently there as I concentrated on where my accessory might have gone, but no other location came to me. And I wasn’t going sans-necklace; it’s the only jewelry I wear, and I feel bare without it.
My thumb rubbed the back of my cross as my forefinger steadied it. I try to get a feel for the people I’m meeting with before wearing anything overtly religious; it’s remarkably easy to put people off these days. At the same time, I was just talking with a friend the other day about how I’m not going to hide my faith at work: I’m not going to preach (which sounds terrifying), but I am going to live my faith. And I’m not about to hide it in an interview, either – I don’t want to end up in a situation where my co-workers are hostile to me having faith – but I’m also not going to poke the bear. It’s a tightrope I’ve learned to navigate.
I shrugged and drove off. Well, that’s that. It’s on them if they’re offended; I suppose it isn’t meant to be.
This thought was frightening, particularly given a conversation I had on Sunday about my inability to find work, but it was also remarkably peaceful. This is the necklace I wear most every day; it holds a lot of symbolism for me. It’s not the conversation starter that my standard one is, but it’s very me.
Accepting whatever was to come my way, I was off.
There are a number of things that I took from this interview, but while I was walking back toward my car after the interview, only one stuck out: I wore my cross and I found my people. We had a lot of similarities: Maine connection, trains, and Church. Not only do we attend the same church, we attend the same Mass time!
Certainly, this would have come into the conversation if I’d been wearing any other pendant, but that I was wearing this one made the revelation all the more striking. The one time I wear my cross necklace is the one time I hit it off with a fellow follower of Christ. Go figure. What a coincidence!
But that’s the thing: it’s not coincidence.
Based on the discussion, we would have probably discovered we attend the same Mass time at the same church. Probably. But my wearing that cross, despite my concerns about causing offense, was a signal to who I am. That signal was a flag to others about who I am, inviting them to engage me in a discussion about that part of me.
I’m still working on allowing people to see aspects of me that I don’t know they’ll like, but I find that I don’t connect with people unless I put myself out there. I can go just a little out there; it doesn’t have to be a mile, but I should try to step a toe length or so. And these are things that I may even like about myself! Perfect example: I sing, but I’m so nervous about singing in front of people because I don’t want anyone to have to tell me to stop mid-song. How awkward that would be for them! And how embarrassing for me. Regardless, if I don’t sing, I won’t know who I can inspire to sing with me.
What do you want to connect with others about but are worried about the response? Have you done anything particularly gutsy lately with respect to putting yourself out there?
As I was driving to Mass, cutting it closer than I’m comfortable with, I took a deep breath and said, “God, please help me not distract others as I walk in.” It was bad enough that I was expecting to walk in a minute or two late; I had no intentions of disturbing the people who had arrived on time.
Do traffic lights sense tardiness and turn red on that cue?
And I did: I walked in during the opening prayer, however, I managed to tiptoe quietly enough nobody noticed my late entry. There was a seat on the end of one of the pews in the last row, and my stealth skill is at least at apprentice level. Nobody but me was bothered by my tardiness: score.
After Mass, I ran into a friend who smiled and said he didn’t even notice me at Mass. I nodded and said I was a little late and “didn’t want to be one of those people who distracts others by stomping through” my entry.
Immediately, I furrowed my eyebrows at myself. Well, yes, I suppose that was true, but that wasn’t how I wanted to mean it. Saying it that way wasn’t me – at least, it’s not the me I want to be. I beat myself up about it on the drive back (and have since then). This may not be the best response, but I definitely needed some kind of self-check to help prevent such phrasing in the future.
How often do we check ourselves?
I’m normally precise with my language because I know how we say things impacts both our perception as well as the perceptions of those who hear us. Who am I? That can be a stagnant question; let’s find better questions. Whom do I want to be? What can I do today to get there?
I want to be someone who consistently lifts others up. To do that, I have to know not only what elevates others and what stifles them, but also how to squelch what stifles and live what elevates. This is a process I’ve been working on; sometimes it comes easily whereas other times it’s difficult to even figure out which step to take. And sometimes we have to stumble into the badlands to know there’s no water there, but as soon as we’re there, we correct course.
What I intended to reply after Mass was fine: I stayed in the back to not interrupt the ceremony or the participants. However, the way I communicated the message was not befitting a follower of Christ: I used divisive and pejorative language. In how I sent the message, I turned away from Christ.
Thankfully, we are an Easter people: I am invited to repent and return to the Way every time I go astray. In assessing how to respond in an encouraging (or at least humbler, or less negative) way, I’m turning back to Christ. That’s the first step to the great return: spinning on one’s heel to assess the situation.
I have come quite a way in this journey, as evidenced by my immediate disgust at my diction, but I still have quite a way to go, as evidenced by how my words spilled out. The data from this interaction can help me adjust my pursuit angle to get me where I want to go.
Knowing where we are and where the target is going to be helps us to navigate our way to the target.
Have you ever asked for directions before? In my experience, the process is something like this:
I know where I am and where I’m going.
I leave my departure site heading toward my destination.
I know the route I’m taking and where I’m going.
I got off on an unexpected detour, but I still know where I’m going.
Where did the signs go?
Okay, I have no idea whether I’m even on the detour any more – but I still know my original route and my destination.
There are zero landmarks here.
Where am I?
*Turn on GPS.* Ah! Now I know (approximately) where I am!
The process is the same whether we’re taking a literal road or the road of life: when we stray off the path, we need to assess where we are to figure out how to get back on track. When we’re taking physical roads, it can be obvious when we’re lost; the symptoms may include that the dirt road connecting two highways disappeared over a mile ago. On the road of life, it’s often not as obvious when we’re lost, and sometimes landmarks aren’t as easy to come by, either. This makes regular checking in with our moral and dream compasses that much more imperative.
Have you made time for a pause for self-reflection lately? Where are you in the journey of life? Where are your goals and how do you reach them? Are you going the direction you want to go? If so, what’s the next step toward the destination? If not, how can we get back on track?
This tradition of writing on the wall signifies an open invitation to Jesus to be a daily guest in our homes and in our hearts as we go about our busy lives. The chalk will fade over time; may the meaning of the message to sink into our hearts, bearing fruit in our thoughts, words, and actions.
Have you heard of this Epiphany tradition?
It was news to me when I saw the home blessing kits at the rear of the chapel yesterday morning. Brows furrowed, grin mildly contorted toward a smirk, I picked up one of the bags with a small piece of chalk and a paper folded up inside. “This is interesting,” I thought, quickly followed by, “if I don’t use it, I can bring it back tomorrow.”
Would this little bag pique your interest?
I had no clue as to what I was taking with me. It wasn’t a book or a pamphlet, wasn’t a rosary or a prayer card, so I was slightly confused and almost not trusting of it. It was out of the ordinary, so it was as though I needed to justify my curiosity in it.
Curiosity well spent.
I enjoy actively participating in the Faith. Even more so, I thoroughly enjoy learning interesting information while I’m actively participating. There’s a childlike giddiness that comes from growing in the Faith. Throw in a hint of apparent rebellion and I totally want in. These little kits were perfect to satisfy just such a hunger.
Arriving back in my room, I put the little kit down and walked away to get work done. A couple of hours later, I hit a natural pause. Looking up, I again felt my face contort into a playful grin as I caught sight of it. Walking over, I opened the bag, read the little note, fetched a step-stool, and chalked my door.
What is this exciting tradition, you ask? What do those letters and numbers mean? Why would I write anything on the wall?
First of all, writing on the wall is mutinously fun. It’s seriously exhilarating. At one point, I giggled like a schoolgirl getting away with a prank. Then my adult self kicked in and I thought, “How am I going to fix this?” My logical brain retorted, “Wipe it off with a damp cloth.” And I chuckled triumphantly to myself as though I’d discovered the biggest discovery ever to be discovered by a discoverer.
My reactions to this whole tradition are childlike silliness and fun. Will you join me in the fun?
You may want to know the symbolism before committing to anything. I get that. In fact, I applaud that. Go you. Check it out:
+ = ✞ = the Cross
2020 = the year
CMB represents two things: the three wise men: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar – and – Christus mansionem benedicat: may Christ bless this house
This is how I picture the wise men: swaddled in cloaks and beards.
While marking the doorway, speak the following:
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling place among us. It is Christ who enlightens our hearts and homes with His love. May all who enter this home find Christ’s light and love. May Christ bless our home and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen.
After marking the door, there’s a prayer to offer. This can be done silently or aloud:
Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of Your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of Your love, and grant that we may manifest Your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you. Guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen.
I think I need to add more crosses to my inscription…
Have you ever done this before? Did you just discover this discovery and want to try it out? Do you have any other Epiphany traditions?
Think before you speak. Read before you think. This will give you something to think about that you didn’t make up yourself – a wise move at any age, but most especially at seventeen, when you are in the greatest danger of coming to annoying conclusions.
This particular quote is from the Tips for Teens chapter, originally published in the stand-alone Social Studies volume. (Some of these witticisms are absolutely hilarious; I caught myself laughing aloud.)
There are many translations of the Bible. Where do you even begin to pick one? I’ve been through this process; let me help!
Step 1: Make sure it has all of the books of the Bible.
My litmus test is to look for Maccabees. Why Maccabees? Because neither 1 nor 2 Maccabees is in any shortened version of the Bible but both are in a full copy of the Good Book. (Truncated Bibles include protestant versions as well as New Testament only versions.) Also, a friend recommended Maccabees as the place to spark interest in the Bible for anyone who likes action and adventure. (So me.) En garde!
Step 2: What’s your preferred language?
The Bible is available in many languages; Greek, Hebrew, and Latin offer the original, non-translated versions. My understanding is limited to English, but if you prefer another language, it’s probably available in that as well. (If you’ve made it this far, I’m assuming you have a working knowledge of English; if you’d like me to find a Bible for you in another language, let me know and I’ll do what I can to find that resource for you.)
Step 3: What’s your linguistic preference?
Do you like the “thee” and “thou” words or would you prefer “you” and “your?” Generally, the newer the translation, the closer the language is to modern English. If the olde English inspires you, you’ll want an older translation. If you’re a linguist or want to see the literal translation, typically, the older the translation is, the better.
Step 4: Various versions vary.
I’m providing a short snippet of my take on the different translations. To help you get a feeling for the translations, I’m also providing Psalm 51 verse 10 so you can read the differences for yourself.
NABRE: New American Bible, Revised Edition
This is the translation read aloud at Mass. It has the most flow as far as modern language goes, so if you’re really concerned about following the text, this is the translation I recommend. It’s great for anyone who knows modern English but uncomfortable with old words or odd syntax.
You will let me hear gladness and joy; the bones you have crushed will rejoice.
RSV-CE and RSV-2CE: Revised Standard Version – (Second (or, Revised)) Catholic Edition
The RSV-CE and -2CE are my go-to translations. I need the words to be generally modern, but I enjoy the occasional “thee” and “thou” (which is kept in the Our Father) as well as parsing linguistic turns-of-phrase. In some places, the syntax may seem a little off, but if you can handle Yoda quotes, you can handle this. This is a great translation for anyone needing modern language but preferring to keep to a closer literal translation of the original text.
The -CE portion means “Catholic Edition.” In other words, it includes all of the books of the Bible, including Maccabees.
I don’t know what changed between the -CE and the -2CE. I suspect the language was modernized in the revision, but I haven’t done a comparison and haven’t noticed anything in particular. (Bible Gateway doesn’t have RSV-2CE, but it does have RSV-CE.) I did separate them out below for easy reference.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
This is the first translation of the Bible into English; it was completed in about 1610. This is not a modern translation, but theoretically it’s only high school reading level. I guess we were reading Shakespeare, right?
The Douay-Rheims is the closest to the original text, and it is the most authoritative translation of the Bible. None of this matters if I can’t understand it, and I can’t understand it if I don’t read it. I find this translation to be intimidating such that I can’t seem to read more than a few verses at a time. (Contrast this to my accidentally reading three books of Acts in RSV-CE because I was simply enthralled.)
I recommend this for people who already have a basic grasp of the scriptures and (as in, both – not just either/or) either savor old language or feel called to wrangle with it.
But I, as a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, have hoped in the mercy of God for ever, yea for ever and ever.
Latin. The Vulgate is the Latin version of the Bible as translated by Saint Jerome around 400 A.D. I enjoy reading Latin because it’s a beautiful language, but I don’t understand it. I can say this: if you know, enjoy, and want Latin, go for the Vulgate.
ego autem sicut oliva fructifera in domo Dei speravi in misericordia Dei in aeternum et in saeculum saeculi
I found one beautiful book which combines the Douay-Rheims and Vulgate translations. This version takes the Latin Vulgate and pairs it verbatim with the Douay-Rheims translation. I use the online version of this when parsing language and playing with linguistics. If you love seeing the direct comparison between the Latin and the English, this is the Bible for you.
But I, as a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, have hoped in the mercy of God for ever, yea for ever and ever.
ego autem sicut oliva fructifera in domo Dei speravi in misericordia Dei in aeternum et in saeculum saeculi
I love language, so I have at least one of each of the types on my wishlist. I pulled the links and added some notations that I hope are helpful; the prices were accurate as of 2 pm today (January 3rd, 2020), but they may change, so please double-check before checking out.
Now you know that I have a collection of Bibles on my wish list. I hope you learned a little something from my digging, and that it helped you pick out your next Bible!
Was this post helpful? Do you already have a Bible? Which one do you use? If not yet, which one are you considering? What’s your favorite thing about the version you prefer? I look forward to hearing your insight!
Yesterday, we discussed the dream list – specifically, how to go about making one. The dream list is a tool to inspire us to grow into our goals. The tool includes holding ourselves accountable by telling others our plans. Here’s part of my plan for this year: getting to know Jesus better.
I haven’t read through the Bible yet myself. Bits and pieces, here and there – sometimes a chapter, sometimes a book – but not the whole thing start-to-finish. I’ve often relied on the Liturgy of the Word for filling out my spiritual nourishment. I’m much more haphazard in my reading of scripture than I’ve ever been with a novel or a text book.
This bothers me. The Bible is literally the greatest epic of all time, the adventure we’re called to live out, packed with quests and inspiration and encouragement. The Bible is the great love letter detailing how God pursues us through every difficulty. I love reading! I love questing and inspiration! And who couldn’t use encouragement? So why, then, have I not read through the Bible?
Because it’s daunting.
Because it’s long.
Because I don’t have the best version.
Because I’m scared I won’t finish.
Because I’m scared I won’t understand everything.
Because I’m scared of what people will think of me.
Because how?
So, yes, to all these things. I get it. However…
Daunting: Yes, but so is anything worthwhile in life. Some days, getting out of bed is daunting. We’re called to have courage; let’s grow in courage this year.
Long: We’re called to persevere. (Also, some of the books are remarkably short, and chapters make it more digestible.)
The best version: I plan on using online versions, specifically Bible Gateway’s RSVCE as my go-to and the Vulgate (Latin and Douay-Rheims) when I’m feeling fancy (pinky-out, fan-ceh!) and/or want to see the line-for-line literal translation. Both are free resources.
Finish: Maybe. But I promise you, if we don’t start, we won’t finish, either.
Understand: The Bible contains mysteries, probably in part to keep us coming back to figure them out. Let’s try. If we don’t try, we can’t succeed.
People: The people who want you to walk with them in Christ will lift you up in your endeavor to know Him. The people who don’t want you to walk with Christ will find any reason to lure you away. Walk with me; let us know Him better together.
How: Luckily for us, Deacon Karl of Manchester, NH mapped out a reading plan. We don’t even have to figure out the how, just decide the timeslot we’re going to sit down to do it.
My only hard copy of the Bible: very pretty, easy to carry, and you can see a couple of my bookmarks, but missing a few books.
Will you join me on this journey? I’m both nervous (see all of the above reasons) and enthusiastic about embarking on this adventure. We’re going to get the whole story… well, at least as far as it’s shaken out thus far; we’re still building the next chapter.
You and me – we’re building the next chapter for Christ’s next installment of the Good Book. Let’s prepare by getting to know Christ and His story thus far. Let’s respond to the calling of Jesus to walk side by side with him.
To be a Christian is to be grafted on to Christ.
– Homily, Mass on 03 January 2020
Here’s the plan for January’s First Week*
1st (W) : Genesis 1-4
2nd (R) : Genesis 5-8
3rd (F) : Genesis 9-11
4th (S) : Genesis 12-14
5th (Sunday) : Genesis 15-17
6th (M) : Genesis 18-21
7th (T) : Genesis 22-24
If you’re in the Manchester, NH area on the third Tuesday of the month, join us for the discussion in the Cathedral’s Rectory Conference Room 7-8 pm. It’d be great to see you there. Otherwise, join us here! I want to hear the wisdom you gain from reading the Bible. Two eyes are better than one; we’ll learn more as a team. Let’s do this together!
Summary
We’re going on a Bible study! There are a plethora of excuses to not, but so many more reasons to. We’re starting at the beginning and going right through the end. Action! Adventure! Romance! Seeing that the greatest heroes in history are just like us! Reading how the greatest heroes in history managed to answer God’s call despite their weaknesses! Inspiration for us to do the same! Are you ready?
Have you done this before, read through the whole Bible? Do you have any tips? Do you have a favorite book or chapter or verse that you turn to when you need the spark? What hidden gems await us?
Edit (06 January 2020): The original post improperly reported the readings as for the weeks in January. Each segment was actually by day; I realized this upon seeing the new bulletin. I’ve updated this and added the readings for through tomorrow. If you’re behind, don’t worry! We can run the slow circuit together! If you’re ahead of me, that’s great, too, because it means you’ll have longer to ruminate and can provide us with your insight!
I referenced my dream list in yesterday’s post but didn’t provide assistance to help you build your own. This post is a quick-start guide of practical application; the article that inspired me to write my dream list is 7 Steps to Self-Mastery, and I highly, highly recommend reading that as well.
Love the life you have while you create the life of your dreams.
Here are the categories I use; allow them to prompt your dreams to escape the tip of your tongue. Read through them and let them stimulate your senses and rouse your ambitions. If anything springs to mind, write it down, but don’t dwell on this part yet: just let it mingle with your mind for a minute.
Categories
Adventure – What sorts of escapades and travel adventures are you interested in?
Creative – What skills, hobbies, and sports do you want to do?
Physical – How do you want to shape your health and wellness?
Legacy – Which causes do you want to support?
Emotional – How do you want to grow your relationships, both with yourself and others?
Psychological – What would you try if you had the courage?
Professional – How do you want to grow in your work and career?
Intellectual – What do you want to learn?
Spiritual – How do you want to grow with God?
Character – Which qualities do you want to incorporate more into your life?
While your mind is wrapping itself around these questions, let’s prep for the big brainstorm.
Step Zero: Preparing the Workbook
Why Prepare a Workbook?
It’s a lot easier to get something done when you don’t have to worry about the logistics and incidentals. For example, when I travel, I check to see where I’ll be attending Mass before making any other plans. I don’t want to find myself flustered, frustrated, and running around panicking because I didn’t spend a few minutes planning ahead; I’d prefer to enjoy my travels by focusing on the moment at hand.
In much the same way, putting a few minutes of prep time helps with actually getting a task done because it allows you to focus on the task at hand rather than the incidentals that accompany it. Here are my preparation recommendations.
Open a new spreadsheet workbook (Excel, Google spreadsheet, OpenOffice spreadsheet – whatever suits your fancy). Title the first tab Summary. Skip the first column. Entitle the second column “Dream” or “Goal.” The third column is to have the title “Category” so you know what type of accomplishment it is. The fourth column is for the Order (of priority). The fifth column is a deadline column; I suggest “By…” or “Target” or “Date” headers. The fifth column is for Notes.
This is what my Summary page headers look like.
Next Tab: First Dream Category
Leave the Summary page and switch to a new tab. Again, skip column one. The headers of the rest of the columns should read as follows: Goal, Category, Order, Priority, Years, Step 1, Step 1 Date, Step 2, Step 2 Date, Step 3, Step 3 Date, Step 4, Step 4 Date, Step 5, and Step 5 Date.
Each Category tab should look like this at the top.
Replicate this tab (I suggest copying it via the Move or Copy option available upon right-clicking the tab title area) until you have one for every category. Name each of the tabs for easy access, and also write the category name under the Category header; include it for every entry. I also assigned a code letter to each category (A for Adventure, for example) for shorthand and included it in the tab name.
That was easy enough, wasn’t it?
Prep work out of the way, let’s get to the fun stuff!
Step One: Select Goals for Each Category
Maybe some categories will have twenty things you want to do whereas others have two or three. That’s totally fine! I challenge you to have at least two goals for each category, but if you’re on a roll and have a lot of things you want to accomplish, write them all down.
All of them. Long term, short term, and everything in between. It’s good to have a mix so that you know where you’re going in the long term but also have guideposts between here and there so you know you’re on track. This also means it’s great to have short- and medium-term goals that feed into long-term ones.
This is the big question; the goals are how we’re gonna get there.
It may seem a little overwhelming to have a big list in front of you, but it’s a lot easier to whittle down than to build up, and we want to include every dream in your heart. Want to write a memoir in fifty years? Write it down. Trying to compile a compendium of Grandma’s best recipes? Write it down. Considering a trip to the little town in Russia your great-grandparents are from but you don’t know a lick of Russian? Write the trip down and learning Russian as separate goals. All of it. Keep going.
You can certainly add more later, but get out everything you can at first blush.
Step 2: Sort
Go through your list and put each goal in the category it fits best in. (Traveling to Russia, for example, belongs in the Adventure category whereas learning Russian fits in the Intellectual category.) If you finish sorting and find that a category only has one dream (or is entirely bereft of them), add more. We want goals in each category so we have incentive to grow in every area of our lives.
Now prioritize each goal within the category. Use a simple high (H), medium (M), and low (L) notation in the Priority column. I recommend prioritizing based on a few things: how much you want it, how difficult it will be, how long it will take, and whether any other dreams depend on it. For example, if you have to know Russian to make that trip to the little town in Russia a success, learning Russian may be high priority even though it may take a lot of effort and learning a new language in and of itself doesn’t rank highly for you.
Here’s a snip from my Creative tab.
Clump the highs, mediums, and lows together in each category. Compare them to see what gets the first priority of the whole category, then the second, and so on until you have the whole category prioritized. This number goes in the Order column; it’s your quick-check of which goals you want to work on first. Repeat with the remainder of the categories.
Step 3: Sketch Out Steps
Where do you start? Write out the logical first step of every high priority goal. If these first steps come easily to you, do the same with the medium and low priority goals. For the high priority goals, write out the steps as far as you can logically see them. Only do this for the high priority goals to prioritize your time and avoid burnout. We’ll revisit the list and can fill it out later; for now, let’s focus on our major goals. We want to walk away from the list not feeling drained, but inspired.
These steps are basically a high level checklist. For example, for the Russia trip, your first step may be to learn Russian as it’s a prequel to taking the trip. The second step may be to plan the itinerary of the trip by writing out a basic outline of the top things you want to accomplish while visiting. The third step could be selecting dates and hammering out the details of what you’ll do on the trip; the fourth may be researching travel options, obtaining a passport, buying the plane ticket, and making lodging arrangements; the fifth may be final trip preparations such as packing; and the sixth may be getting on that plane.
If you need more steps columns, add them. I find five to be helpful and ten to be unwieldy, but you may find it easier with twenty steps. Knowing yourself is awesome! Use your information to your advantage.
For the top one or two goals in each category, write a date next to that first step. This is your personal deadline. By this date, you will meet that step’s goal. Give yourself deadlines on each of the highest priority goals in every category.
Step 4: Summarize and Review
Copy the highest priority columns from each category to the Summary sheet. I suggest referencing the manual entries (type “=” in the cell, then click on the cell you want it to copy in the other tab) because it’s easy, and at this point in the process, you may want to drop out of the red zone and into a yellow zone for recuperation. If you’re instead all about that orange theory, copy the information manually; the process will help drill into your head what you want to do and gives you more time to figure out why you want that.
Sleep. Look at your goals and plans tomorrow or over the weekend with fresh eyes. Are there any changes your well-rested brain recommends? Review the dreams you’ve written down daily for at least a week. Have you forgotten anything? Did a friend spark an idea? Did you aim high enough?
Step 5: Tell Friends and Family for Accountability and Support
Tell friends, family, and anyone else who might help you on your way forward. When you tell others, the goal becomes more tangible. When you involve others, you have additional reasons to stick to the plan even when the road gets rough. They don’t even have to do anything for this to work!
Prime example: I’m providing an example Dream List. This example is my Dream List with added information: I filled out my C – Creative tab so that this document may help you with your process. In giving you my information, I added details that I hadn’t bothered to put in yet, forcing me to evaluate my hopes and dreams and encouraging me to move forward with them. There is more detail on this template than on my original document because you learn more by teaching others than by simply doing something for yourself. This is why study groups work.
Here’s another example: I found a posting online for a position that perfectly fits my skills and abilities, but in a very non-linear way such that I don’t know how to write a resume for it. I made a phone call to do recon and ask for any information that might help me in the application process. Just knowing that I told someone on the other end of the phone that I’m excited about this opportunity is galvanizing me to figure out how to properly apply.
Step 6: Review and Revamp
Print your Summary and put it somewhere you can see it frequently. It will remind you of why you’re really getting up at 5 am to go for a run while listening to various Russian verb conjugations: ’cause you’ve got a dream to fulfill. Having a hard copy makes your dreams more concrete, and you’re more likely to rise to the challenge if you have the goal in front of you.
I keep my Summary as the insert for the binder I bring with me everywhere. Every time I pull out the binder, I get a quick reference guide to my goals.
Start with a digital copy, then print a hard copy.
The reason I recommend a digital spreadsheet is because I expect changes and updates. Try your hand at origami and decide you don’t like it? Cross it off the list. Discover a new passion? Put it on the list. Are you a quicker study at aikido than you expected? Move up your next deadline for it. Life changes, and so do your goals; don’t give up on something because it’s difficult, but don’t hang on to something just because you put it on the list, either. Know your why, and pursue your why.
Recap: Dream List
Know where you’re going so you can get there. Take some time to figure out where you want to go by setting goals that are meaningful to you. Draft a list of dreams, aspirations, and hopes and take a few minutes to figure out the first few steps to achieving the ones most important to you.
What goals surfaced while you were going through this process? What are you going to do today to take the first step toward your top priority goal?
Further Reading
Take Control of Your Life: 7 Steps to Self-Mastery by Dominick Albano is the article that inspired my dream list. It’s broken into a three-part series (Steps 1 & 2, Steps 3-5, and Steps 6 & 7), and there’s a lot to digest, but it’s absolutely worth the read. I recommend bookmarking it and returning to it when you feel over-encumbered. This post is based on my practical application of this article, and I’m going to re-read Self-Mastery (again) to see how I can do my dream list better.
Dynamic Catholic never ceases to amaze me with the content they provide. Dominick Albano wrote another stellar article entitled How to Gamify Your Life which strikes my heart because I identify with it so fully: I’m a Catholic, a casual gamer, and eager to learn the magnificent lifehack for wanting to improve our lives by setting up a scorecard. This is also a very shareable article: who do you want to join your party for the game of life?
I hope you kicked off 2020 in your favorite way and are looking forward to everything the new decade has in store!
We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.
What are you most looking forward to this year? I wrote out my hopes and dreams as part of a self-reflection and forward-thinking project, complete with timelines of when I want to do them by. Last year included learning more about the virtues so I can try to live by them better, journaling, increasing my courage, re-learning French, and taking a hand-to-hand self-defense class. Some goals were met, though I still have room to grow.
This year includes learning to fence, learning to ballroom dance, joining a sailing club, finishing writing (rough draft) a series of novels I’ve been working on, and visiting Dublin.
My first reaction to writing that last sentence: that’s a tall order. Look at all that stuff! How can I expect to get all that done while also doing the normal things in life: working, balancing a budget, blossoming my relationships, and working toward other, more logical long-term goals?
But the point of this list isn’t to bog myself down. A hopes and dreams list is a tool to encourage us to rise up to meet our challenges. Yes, there are other things I need to do daily, and there’s only so much time in a day, but if I crowd out time wastes, I can do great things. And so can you!
You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
Our time on Earth is finite; time is the limiting reagent of the reaction of our lives. It stands to reason, then, that our highest priorities should get the most time from us. But what are our priorities? Without knowing our priorities, we can’t prioritize them. Making a dream list demands that we pause to think about what our priorities are. A dream list helps us focus on our priorities and reach for our dreams with purpose and gusto.
So, I may not complete all of my goals for 2020, but if 2019 is any indication, just having the list for reference helps me move in a positive direction. I reference it when I’m unsure which actions to take: reminding myself of what I want helps me to get there because I can make my decisions to further my goals.
Do you have a dream list? What are your priorities? What do you hope to accomplish this year and how are you going to meet those goals?
