Have you had a dream you've been putting off? Wanted to make changes in your personal life? I think we've all had those "aha moments" that tell us...Yes! that's what I want to do!!! But we find excuses why it can't happen or it's not the right time. First, there will never be the "right time" and second, if it is really important you'll find a way...if not, you'll find an excuse.
What have you been wanting to do in your life? A new job? An adventure? A relationship? Everything begins with a decision! When I decided to do my bike ride that was it! The decision was made and there were no other options. I told my employer what I was going to be doing...taking 3 months off to ride my bike across America and I hoped that I had their support but was prepared to lose my job if that's what it came to because THE RIDE WAS WHAT WAS IMPORTANT TO ME! Not only did I not lose my job but I had their total support! Did I know everything about bicycle touring? Not even close! Did I train for it? I commuted to work the month before I left. Did I have the bike I "needed"? No, I rode across the country on a $350.00 department store mountain bike. Could I afford it? No, but the decision was made and to my amazement and gratitude friends, family and total strangers supported me throughout the entire journey!
Excuses are easy...decisions are tough but the joy and satisfaction that comes from doing something you wanted to do even if you had doubts about the outcome are life changing!
What's your excuse????

In Toby Keith's song "My List" is a lyric that says "start livin...that's the next thing on my list". This is so appropriate for the way we sometimes look at our busy lives. So many obligations, errands and tasks to complete that this is the one list item that often gets pushed to another day...week...month or year. How we define "livin" is going to be different for each us. It could be canceling that meeting at work to attend a child's performance in a school play or taking your son fishing instead of washing the car or maybe it's something really big, a personal dream you've been putting off for years. However you define "livin" I encourage and challenge you not to put it off for another day but to make it the next thing on your list!

Why is it that we remember sports events or entertainment winners only for a short period of time? Quick, who won the Superbowl 3 years ago? Who won album of the year last year?  Did you remember or did you have to look it up online? Heroes and celebrities are soon forgotten not because they weren't incredibly accomplished but because our attention spans are short. 
If this is true, why do we so vividly remember those school plays our kids were in years ago or the special vacation we took with family or those words of encouragement spoken to us by a parent decades ago? Because these are the moments that truly matter! When we are making decisions on how to spend our time we need to ask, is this going to make a real difference in my life or in someone else's life? Which is going to be more rewarding...watching Tom Brady throw another touchdown pass or playing a game of catch with your son? We probably won't remember that touchdown pass Tom Brady threw but chances are that game of catch with your son will be a memory for years if not a lifetime. Take photos of those special moments and the memories will be even greater! 
​What are your special memories? When and how will you make the next one?