Thoughts about my future
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 4:00AM 10 Comments Whenever I travel I think a lot about my life and my choices. I think about what and who I want to be. When we travel together as a family, it is the same and every road trip has meaningful conversation. I've written this before and it probably isn't news or all that interesting. However, it is fresh in my mind and I need to write it down to process and to make certain declarations.
Whenever I, or we, travel, I like to see what is out there?! It's a big and beautiful world we live in. If you don't look, you don't know. Don't sit back and let others explore the world. Do it yourself. It's an amazing world we live in and it is filled with amazing people and places.
I also like to take time to reflect on the past. What's gone well and where I've gotten off track? Right now, for me, things are changing in my world and I need to make some changes along with it. My kids are growing up. School and schedules are changing. I'm staying up later and later and still getting up early. Something has to give. In my case, it is my weight and my health. Sure I've been riding a fair amount this year, but I've grown tired and when I'm tired I eat. Sometimes it takes putting it all down, walking away and being with the people you love to be able to see it. Thankfully, I've not gone too far. I just need to get back on track. I need to go to bed at night. I need to come to grips and deal with my sleep disorder. I need to ride my bike in the mornings instead of sit behind my computer. I need to do the things that impacted my life so powerfully just a couple of short years ago.
I also like to take time to think big. Not too long ago, my daughter asked me "What is my dream job?". This is part of a question book that we use at the dinner table at night. I sort of laughed because frankly, I am pretty much living it. I want to keep doing what I am doing, travel the world, take pictures AND I want to take my family with me. I've been doing a lot of solo stuff and I need to change that. Given the fact that I've got commitments through October and a tentative trip to Asia later this year, it won't change right away but we've hatched a trip to a far away place that will include all the things I love; family, adventure, bikes (my Fargo), and photography...There will be some official work in there too.
It was a really great trip that filled me with hope and enthusiasm. We've got plans and a tentative destination. I can see, feel and taste it. Time to get busy and make it happen.
Reader Comments (10)
Now you have me thinking about my life. I am so not working my dream job right now.
I can relate. Trying to juggle a career, family and time to get out and ride can be very challenging & exhausting.
I hate my job, seriously despise going in every single day, but it's been sites like this that have gotten me motivated to make changes and sacrifices to change things for the better.
This post seems like the start of a really, really good, deep thinking book with lots of images. hmmmm...
Nice post. You are very lucky.
I also have a job that pays well, and I am in the process of destroying because I have come to hate it so much. My family life is not good. I'm not riding enough. So I'm glad that someone is getting things sorted.
John and others, thanks for the comments.
I just want to take a quick second to also call out that this post isn't intended to come across as I've got it all figured out or anything like that. In fact, it's about not having it figured out and having hope. For me, I am looking far down the road to achieve some of the things I want. The trip I am referencing here in this email won't happen until 2012. It's a goal to shoot for and position myself and my life so it can happen as opposed to keep doing what I am doing and letting opportunity go.
Life is a real challenge. It can also be fun and for me these dangling carrots motivate me to take action.
Thanks again and I hope this helps some folks understand where this post is coming from.
You should cut the blog back to a M/W/F schedule or even a Tues/Thurs schedule. While I enjoy reading your blog everyday, there are much better uses of your time than trying to keep up with the demands of a daily blog. I'm guessing the quality of your posts would go up too. My 2 cents.
I don't think anyone who reads your blog thinks you have it all figured out. I just envy your ability to think it all through and it seems like you are doing a good job of it. You ARE in a better place than me for sure. Your attitude etc is what is impressive, even if you struggle you are admitting you are human.
As for posting to this blog... unless you derive and rely on income from this blog, I don't think you owe anyone any schedule. I would suggest you post as often or as little as you feel like you need/want to for your own good. One thing you should stop doing is apologizing for posting, or apologizing about your posts for whatever reason. I don't think you'll lose readers if you operate as I've suggested.
I love you brother. You are a good man.
Love that photo of the lake with the clouds. I see a focal length of 17 on it. What lens?
Thanks for more comments folks. Means a lot to me.
Great points all.
S.Fuller - It is a 17-55 F2.8 on an APSC sensor (cropped). It's actually a more like a 28mm.