A Manifesto: One Year of Mindfulness
The Problem: I've become careless in my choices and life’s purpose. In many areas of my life I've continued doing the same things just because it was comfortable and easy.
The Solution: I’m taking a year to challenge myself and explore new surroundings. My goal is to become more purposeful in my faith, work, relationships, development of talents/skills and life’s purpose.
The Details: I've compiled a list of objectives which will touch upon the four quadrants of a life: the spiritual, mental, physical and emotional. Each of these objectives represents a challenge, a weakness to face, or an opportunity to expand my perspective. My mission for the next year is to carry out as many of these objectives, being fully present for each one. Every few months, I’ll review this list and determine whether I need to add, remove, or alter any of the objectives based on my new insights and experiences. Cleveland will remain my “home base” in between adventures so that I can honor the commitments I've made to volunteer organizations and visit the community that has become such a vital part of my life.
My Desire: I am both scared and invigorated at the start of this safari. I realize in advance that I might stumble on my journey, but that is part of the path. I believe a meaningful life requires that we go beyond what is comfortable, question the restraints we place on ourselves, and insist on opening ourselves up to new experiences…. and this year, I will experience what that truth entails for me.
Objectives:
1. Walk away from everything I own
Every day:
2. Write in a journal
3. Meditate
4. Pray the rosary
5. Read the bible (finish it within the year)
6. Exercise
Will get me on the right path:
7. Get a spiritual mentor and talk weekly with him/her
8. Spend a week at a convent
9. Get a concealed carry permit
I’ve wanted to for so long:
10. Write a book (even if I’m the only one that reads it)
11. Illustrate a book (even if it’s my own)
12. Start a business
13. Visit India
14. Read Atlas Shrugged
It makes me happy:
15. Scuba Dive in the Florida Keys
16. Bungee Jump from Royal Gorge Bridge
17. Cook a quality three course meal for 15 people
18. Learn to make one awesome alcoholic beverage
19. Break a 5 hour marathon
20. Drink a scotch that is older than I am
21. Travel throughout the U.S. visiting family & friends
Skinny dip in the major oceans
22. Pacific Ocean
23. Atlantic Ocean
24. Indian Ocean
25. Arctic Ocean
26. Southern Ocean
Visit the major National Parks in the U.S.
27. Denali, Alaska
28. Yellowstone, Wyoming
29. Rocky Mountain, Colorado
30. Tetons, Wyoming
31. Yosemite, California
32. Arches National Park
33. Zion & Bryce, Utah
34. Grand Canyon, Arizona
35. Acadia, Maine
36. Everglades, Florida
37. Crater Lake, Oregon
38. Badlands, South Dakota
39. Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota
40. Glacier, Montana
41. Mt. Rainier, Washington
42. Olympic, Washington
43. Joshua Tree, California
44. Great Smokey Mountains, Tennessee
Hike some the best spots the U.S. has to offer:
45. Pacific Crest Trail
46. Appalachian Trail
47. Grand Canyon
48. Yosemite National Park
49. Glacier National Park
50. John Muir Trail
51. Zion National Park
52. Arches National Park
53. Mount Whitney
54. Denali National Park
I’ll be a better person for it:
55. Go on a trip with my mom
56. Self-directed retreat at Abbey of New Clairvaux
57. Spend three days touring the Smithsonian
58. Give an amazing gift to a stranger
59. Spend a weekend homeless downtown
60. Become a regular phone volunteer for a rape hotline
61. Become a 2016 Cleveland Bridge Builder
62. Read 50 books that have been recommended to me
63. Go on a spiritual pilgrimage
64. Anonymously give someone I know and care for an amazing gift/blessing and take no credit for it
65. Do 20 presentations across the U.S. to spread awareness about female genital cutting, the efforts of Tareto Maa, and/or the need for Girls’ & Women’s Empowerment
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