My Bucket List

I am new to this blogging thing. I have tons of ideas running through my head daily. So, even if nobody ever reads my blogs, I think it will be somewhat therapeutic to write them.

After watching the movie "The Bucket List", I decided to create my own list of things I wanted to do before I kick the proverbial bucket. One of the things I wanted to do was write a novel. I love to read a good book. I get swallowed up in the stories and I find that reading is a great escape from a busy week. So, I recently started writing my first novel. I am approximately 1/3 of the way through the book. (Yes, I googled 'how to write a novel' and found out how many words I should be writing.)

The problem is that it isn't very good. However, I'm finding freedom in the fact that I just don't care if it is good. My goal wasn't to write the next American classic. My goal wasn't to be published by 35. My goal wasn't even to write a good novel. The goal was to simply write a novel before I die, and that I can do. I love the process and I love that I sometimes get the desire to sit and spill my thoughts out on page. For someone who can't paint, play an instrument, or do anything that is seemingly creative...this is my outlet. I hope my friends and family will choose to read it when I am finished.

My boss often quotes Jim Collins, author of Good to Great. She says that "Good is the enemy of great." In other words, we get complacent with a good life and never strive for greatness. Again, I'm not worried about becoming the next big thing on the New York Times Bestseller List. To me, greatness comes while pursuing the goal of living a full and rich life. Greatness is present when we push ourselves to do more than we thought possible. Even if my book is terrible, I will have stepped outside of my comfort zone to open my heart to anyone who will read it. To me, that is working toward greatness.