Meaning

20 November 2012

Hundred Goals is a blog about creating an amazing life by doing incredible things.

Since I began blogging about my adventures, from jumping out of an airplane to meeting Marilyn Manson, my life has changed in ways I cannot even begin to describe. I’ve had an amazing life, and I promise you can have exactly the same if you simply create a list of all the crazy, exciting and strange things you someday hope to accomplish during your life … and then set out to do each and every one of them.

But what Hundred Goals has been missing, and maybe what I’ve been confusing with an amazing life, is a meaningful one.

I’ve come to realize that a meaningful life isn’t about bungee jumping or running marathons. And it has little to do with visiting remote corners of the world or eating bizarre foods. Sure, these experiences will open your eyes to the world around you and will help you grow as a person. But it’s you who’s gained something by doing these things. You’ve given nothing in return … and that is the key to a meaningful life.

None of this is meant to discount the importance of having goals in life.

I still believe that overcoming your fear of jumping out of an airplane will help you build confidence and that climbing a mountain is a great way to prove to yourself that you have the inner strength and fortitude to overcome any obstacles you’ll encounter in life. But a meaningful life isn’t about you. It’s about the positive impact you have on other people.

Show the people you love that you love them and don’t forget to tell them often. Speak politely … and less often. Listen more. Don’t brag. Volunteer in your community. Repair broken relationships with the people who matter. Accept others imperfections. Don’t be so demanding. Remember, it’s not always about you. Forgive the people who’ve hurt you and apologize to those who you’ve hurt.

You aren’t going to be remembered for that trip to Dracula’s Castle or the time you swam with a dolphin. You’ll be remembered for what you’ve done for others and the way you made them feel.

Be kind to one another.

✓ Goal #38) Shoot a Machine Gun

26 July 2012

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The first time I ever shot a machine gun was in Arizona.

I walked into the gun store and felt just like a kid in a candy store. After looking around for a while, I was asked if I needed any help. I wanted to shoot an UZI.

“Sign here.”

“Sign there.”

After some brief instructions on the basic operation of the weapon I was shooting paper terrorists. With each squeeze of the trigger, the gun rattled in my hands. After a couple of quick bursts, I held the trigger down and emptied the thirty round magazine.

I was grinning from ear to ear.

Before the last bullet was fired, I knew I’d be doing it again.

And I did. A couple of years later in Las Vegas.

This time I wanted to shoot something a little “bigger” than the UZI. My weapon of choice this time was the M249 SAW.

My opponent: a zombie clown.

I pulled the gun up to my shoulder, aimed right between the clown’s eyes and let the lead fly. It didn’t take long for the bullets to run out … and for the clown to have more than a few holes in its face.

I have to say, I’d do it again.

I will do it again!