2008 Goals

I think it's important to have some goals. People who are successful are so in part because they know specifically what they are aiming at. They know what they want to achieve. Mel Gibson in the movie The Patriot tells his son as he's preparing for battle to "aim small, miss small." Golf icon Harvey Pinnock provided golfers with the maxim to "take dead aim." It is no surprise that when we really set our minds on a specific goal we have more success than when we live halfheartedly pursuing things. It is definitely a difficult thing to make the shift from abstractions like "I want to have a successful marriage" to "today, I am going to make my wife smile by having the house clean when she gets home." (quite the chore around here) Making concrete goals though is where it's at. It's fine to start abstract, but we must make the shift if we're going to put our desires into action.

Another important thing that I think helps us achieve our goals is to share them. Derek Webb talks about confession being a pretty good help to keep us from the sin we are attracted to, because the dark places in our lives are no longer dark, but the light has been turned on so we can no longer hide there. So, with that, I encourage you to set some goals (in a non-cheesy new years resolution way, but in a take in the full breadth of life and live it to the fullest)

So, here are a few goals I have for 2008:

1. Make a home that is ready to raise a child. Safe, nurturing, etc.
2. Achieve Compass financial/support goals
3. Take 20 groups out on trips this Spring
4. Climb one grade V route.
5. Redpoint Rap Bolters at Lost Dome (probably means nothing to most of you, but in short, I want to climb a particular climb that is difficult, without falling at any point)
6. Play live music at least once a month
7. Be a consistently positive influence on my peers, encouraging them to be the best they can be
8. Read something challenging academically or spiritually every day
9. Write daily
10. Go to church when we're not on a trip / be plugged into the local body.
11. Help couples achieve more fulfilling and permanent relationships living in harmony together.

There's some of mine, feel free to hold me to them, and even share some of your own.

Steven Charles
Compass Wilderness
Director of Operations - Oklahoma
405-487-7795