50 things I look forward to teaching my boys

  1. God is love
  2. Learning to love God and love others is the best thing you can do in this life
  3. Everyone is beautiful
  4. How to treat their mother with respect and love
  5. Life is all about relationships — not the stuff we collect along the way
  6. Learn to forgive — even when others refuse to apologize or forgive you
  7. There’s nothing you can’t tell your mother and I
  8. Your parents will love you no matter what
  9. Family comes first
  10. How to be a gentleman
  11. U2 is the greatest band in the world
  12. You can’t go wrong with The Beatles, Beach Boys, Lenny Kravitz or Johnny Cash
  13. How to build a campfire
  14. How to put a tent together
  15. How to enjoy the freezing waters of Sulphur, Oklahoma
  16. How to blow a bubble
  17. How to blow a bubble with bubble gum
  18. How to throw a football
  19. How to throw a baseball
  20. How to dribble a soccer ball
  21. How to catch a football
  22. How to catch a baseball
  23. How to throw a frisbee
  24. How to catch a frisbee
  25. How to play disc golf
  26. The difference between a goal, a touchdown and a home run
  27. How to fish
  28. How to clean a fish (I may need to learn this myself first)
  29. How to grill the perfect steak
  30. How to grill the perfect burger
  31. How to play the guitar
  32. How to tie their shoes
  33. How to change the oil in a car
  34. How to change a tire
  35. How to drive a car — but only after you turn 21
  36. How to (properly) shoot fireworks
  37. How to ride a bike
  38. How to ride a bike without training wheels
  39. How to pop a wheelie
  40. How to draw
  41. How to cut with scissors
  42. How to imagine
  43. How to shave
  44. How to avoid shaving as much as possible
  45. How to “skin the cat”
  46. How to enjoy good art
  47. How to eat sushi
  48. How to pack for vacation using only carry-on luggage
  49. No one knows everything — not even your parents
  50. Be leery of those who claim they do

Declutter your schedule

Multi-tasking at work
multitasking | Photo by Jonathan Blundell

If you’re anything like me, your schedule can be either be one of the greatest aids in your day, or one of the biggest detriments in my day.

If we’re not careful our schedule can easily keep us away from the things that really matter to us.

But before we continue, take a moment and consider what really matters to you.

No, really!

Stop reading this blog post and make a list of 4 or 5 things that matter most to you.
Continue reading Declutter your schedule

We’re on a mission

Blues Brothers | Photo from Wikipedia

Do you have set of goals in your life?

Do you have a specific mission?

Do you you have a mission statement for your life — something that you go back to for inspiration and guidance on a regular basis?

I’d love to read it!

Share your mission(s) and goals in life in the comments below.

Living simply in 2010

“Live simply so that others may simply live”
– Gandhi

As the new year begins, many of us have made resolutions to simplify our lives in various ways. Perhaps eating out less, starting a garden, cutting back on cable, reading more books from the local library (as opposed to purchasing them)… etc. etc.

So what are you doing to simplify your life in 2010? And how is it going so far?

The dream of what’s next

I have a pretty good feeling this year (maybe even this month) will bring about some exciting changes around Casa de Blundell.

And with those dreams of what’s to come (foster care, hopefully selling our house) I don’t want to rush into the year without setting some basic goals for 2010.

I want to be sure that 2010 is less about me — and more about others — but at the same time, leaving room for my own development to ensure I don’t burn out by July.
Continue reading The dream of what’s next

Revisiting “The List”

Pastor Ryan shares a list he worked up this week during his men’s group meeting. I have to say his list is great – and very honest as well.

It’s a list of his life goals. I think he’s made it to 75 on his list.

I’m still working on mine. Still thinking, still dreaming. I’ve had these numbered but its really more of a growing list than any particular order…

* get out of debt
* eat a more healthy diet
* get my weight back to 200lbs
* go skydiving
* spend a week in New York City with Laurie
* spend a week in the UK & Scotland with Laurie
* spend a week in Ireland with Laurie
* spend a week and return to Nigeria with Laurie
* write a best seller
* have a top rated podcast on iTunes
* get a regular gig sharing people’s stories on the radio
* work from home/freelance and/or own my own business/ministry
* start a family with 3-4 kids
* adopt at least 1 or 2 of those said children
* build deep/real communities of faith
* get another tattoo (or 2 or 3)
* have an article published in a national magazine
* complete the hotter-than-hell bike race in Wichita Falls
* complete the Flickr-365 project
* give at least $1,000 away to someone
* pay off all our consumer debt – including our cars within the next 4 years

For now, its 4:38 – and “I am not my work.” So I’m heading home to see my beautiful Life.