So now what?

One of my favorite classes I took during BYU Education Week was given by Merilee Boyack, "Doing the best you can...a little bit better"

She brought up a great point that, honestly, I've never thought of before. So now what? What's next after you're done (fill in the blank) having children, raising children, retiring... 

I have NO answer to this simple question. I've always wanted to be a mom. I don't know what life will be like after I'm done having children, raising children. Of course, I'm still a mother and then a grandmother, but what am I going to be doing? What's my plan? 

Have you thought of this? Do you know? It doesn't matter where you are in life, your age, married or not; we all need a goal to look forward to. I mean, really, most of us still have 30, 40 or even 50 years left of our lives! 

Merilee wanted us to focus on our dreams, our goals, what's in our hearts that are unfinished. She stated, "Live your life by making deliberate choices rather than responding to whatever life throws your way." She went on to say, "Don't run out of living before you run out of life."

Such great advice. I'm still in the thick of having and raising children, but I know the day will come quickly where they'll all be in school and then all out of my house. Then what? 

We need to develop our own personal road map by focusing on three main points:

1- Write: write your personal essay. What do you want to do/be in 10 years/20 years. We should write our Eulogy and obituary. Write 5 words that express who we are. Make a list of goal, dreams and ideas.

2- Note unfinished business: Finish these sentences, "I always wanted to..." and "what were the dreams of your youth?"

3- Dream BIG dreams: If you could do anything, and I mean anything, what would it be? Besides writing up a Bucket List write up a "Lori's 100 Lifetime Dreams" (I've worked on this for over an hour and only have 37!! It's hard!)

Focus on you. What is YOUR dream life? In all areas, marriage, spiritual, family, fitness, community, financial, home, friendship, personal, fun, professional...
If you knew you could NOT fail, what would you try? Be brave and bold in deciding. 

Most importantly, ask Heavenly Father to guide you. Write down promptings that will come. Open your eyes, mind and heart. Fearlessly explore. 

Our Father in Heaven has blessed each of us with different attributes and talents. He has sent us here for a reason, what are some of those great reasons?

I am still struggling to figure out what's next for me. I am working on my 100 dream list and other ideas posted earlier. I want to start now, before I get to the point where it could be too late. Good luck on figuring out what's next for you!