"Eccentric America" and a Challenge to You for 2009

What do you think you'd like to accomplish before you die? Fun things, scary things, a new business adventure, singing karaoke in front of a crowd?? This post has nothing to do with New Year's resolutions. It is simply a challenge to wake up and do something you have a passion to do.

About ten years ago I read 2-3 "Eccentric America" books by Jan Friedman. It's about people who have built weird stuff/ART in their yards, planned a festival, decorated their houses with eclectic things, or just made collections of what we would call odd things...etc. I have made it my goal to see tons of stuff all across America and we have. Since then, I have made a list of things to do before I die. We can't live forever you know.

I was just at an annual Christmas Cookie Party tonight with women whom I only see once a year. This time, a group of us sat around the dining room table having a lively debate about whether in ten years that President Bush will ever be looked back upon as having been a great president. Then we began to talk about what was exciting in our lives that didn't include our job/career. A couple of ladies had tried "zip lines." Another lady had Bungie Jumped but said she'd never do it again.

I then challened the ladies to make some plans for the following year and when we come back again to the annual cookie party...to have done something exciting enough to talk about.

So I challenge you, my AR friends to write down three things that you want to try that might either scare you, challenge you or give you the greatest sense of accomplishment. And do one of them this coming year so you can have some table talk conversation that you can be proud of for the year.

Here's is what I will try to do: 1. Go rafting down the Deschutes or some river like that. O.k., I can tell you I WANT to do it, but I'm terrified I'll fall out, hit my head and drown, plus the next part of #2: Go snorkeling...you're laughing aren't you? I hate live fish. I usually float on a raft and look down at them. But I WANT to do that. Yes, I know they are harmless!! 3. No, I'm not going to hold a live snake! But I will try to go to Ringing Rocks in Pennsylvania. They are supposed to be awesome and give off tones when you hit them with a hammer.

Comment here, and I promise I'll send you an email every three months to encourage you in your pursuit.

Do you have the guts to try, not a resolution but a gift to yourself to do something you've always wanted to do!