\ What Are You Waiting For? | Christina Brandt

Christina Brandt

Thursday, March 28th, 2024 | Making "What's Next?" What Matters ™

A few days ago, I went to a friend’s funeral.  He died in one of those  accidents that changes lives in an instant.  40 years old, a father of two teenagers, and someone with an incredible zest for life.  This was a guy with motorcycles, a plane, and a thirst for speed.  He was also a serial entrepreneur, creating opportunities out of situations most of us couldn’t even see.  Anthony may have lived a relatively short life, but he lived a full one.

As I drove away from the cemetary, I thought about all the things on my List.  You know, The List.  Some people call it a Bucket List, or a Someday List, or a Dreams List.  It’s the one where you put down the things that you’d love to do but seem ridiculously hard or scary or financially impossible or impractical to do right now.

And then I thought about how I really don’t want to leave this planet with a lot undone.  If my mission is to help people live lives filled with passion and joy, I’d better be doing so myself.  Since one of my items is to own a ranch with horses on it, I figure I’d better get started by being around horses and learning to ride them.  I reached out to both of my friends who are horse whisperers (nope, I’m not making that up) and asked them if they’d take some time to teach me.  Both said yes.  I’ll be in Pennsylvania soon, learning the basics.  And Arizona will follow this winter.    I’ll let you know how it goes.

In the meantime, what can YOU do to take small steps toward those big dreams?  The only thing that we know for sure is that we’ve got THIS moment.  We’ve got no clue when the moments will run out.  Sobering, yes.  Motivating, definitely – if you want it to be!

4 Comments

  1. Lynn Trotta says:

    When I was a teenager I wrote a very long list of things to do before I died. I stuck to it for years and got half way through it; accomplishing things like visiting the Louvre and at another time traveling to far off lands totally alone. But after a while it felt overwhelming and it got lost in the shuffle of growing up.

    But this post has inspired me to sit down this week and not write a list, but write out my obituary. What do I want people to say about me when i’m gone? What pictures will be on the tables for people to look at (I don’t know if this is a usual custom, but one my family does) and who will be there celebrating my life? And what changes do I need to make today to manifest those final words.

    I’m sorry to hear about your friends life being cut so short and I’m happy to hear that he lived big and with joy.
    With Love, joy and gratitude-

  2. Chrisina Brandt says:

    I’m so glad to hear that you’re going to devote some time to thinking about your legacy, Lynn.

    With love, joy and gratitude right back,
    Chris

  3. Pat Baldo says:

    The words “What are you waiting for?” really hit me tonight as I read them; they always do! Last winter/spring, I was thinking about taking an ESL course somewhere, sometime but kept putting it off. Then a family member suddenly became ill and I did nothing about the course. Earlier this month, while still helping out my sister, I signed up for an online course, with no real plans of what to do with it, but just that ‘small’ act has made such a difference to me. I’m working on something for me!

    Thank you for your story, my condolences to you, and thank you for your inspiration!

    In appreciation and gratitude,
    Pat Baldo

  4. Chrisina Brandt says:

    I’m so glad to hear that my words have inspired you, too, Pat. Small acts, done regularly, lead to transformation. Keep going!

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