Let me start this by saying I know that I am not MTV's target audience. I used to be a big Real World fan (until the train wreck that was the Vegas season, or, as I affectionately refer to it, the Sodom and Gomorrah season). I used to watch some other shows (even, gasp, TRL--you know you did, too, Carson Daly lover). I have somewhat glanced at 16 & Pregnant, but 10 minutes of that show has me searching for the nearest ledge.
All this being said, I do not watch MTV. Until a couple months ago. I had just finished watching an adrenaline-filled hour of 24 (oh, Jack Bauer, you and your heavy breathing--why do we always have to hear Jack Bauer breathing hard--even when he's not doing anything physically grueling? Why, Chloe?) and was perusing through the channels when I landed on MTV and caught the opening spot for this show called The Buried Life. The premise for the show is this: these four guys travel around the US trying to scratch off items from their 'bucket lists'. They have compiled a list of 100 things they want to do before they die; some of them are easy-peasy and some of them, not so much. Each episode showcases an attempt to cross an item off their list. The episodes I've seen have included: asking out the girl of your dreams (for this one they had to crash a movie premiere so that one of the guys could ask out Megan Fox), participating in a krump competition, playing basketball with President Obama and throwing a huge party. They don't always succeed, but it's interesting to watch them try.
While the aforementioned is great, my favorite part of the show is what I guess you would call the subplot. During each episode, they try to make the dream of a random stranger come true. For example, tonight's episode, this guy (who had been adopted) wanted to meet his real dad. Last week, they reunited four boyhood friends. Anyway, I think the show is great. Maybe I should say, I think the idea behind the show is great. As someone who's biggest accomplishment lately is showering, the idea of carpe diem is appealing. I love the altruistic element of the show. You can read more about how it got started here.
Anyway, ever since I had Eli, the idea of my own mortality is something that's somewhat pervaded my thoughts. Not in a "I want to find the fountain of youth" kind of way, but in a "Crap, I haven't really done anything to further the kingdom of God" kind of way. I want to be a person that my child/children can point to as an example of a Godly woman. I am blessed to know amazing women who inspire me daily by their purpose-driven lives (sorry for the Rick Warren allusion). I read or hear about the varied ways they are making a difference in their communities/homes/work places/all of the above, and I think, "Perhaps having an alarming knowledge of Friends trivia isn't going to cut it." I've felt this push to do more.
What does more look like? I don't know. Maybe it means being a better mom -- being more creative, less lazy, more selfless. Maybe it means looking for opportunities to serve (without going overboard and burning out). Maybe it means learning how to knit and making booties for every resident in my husband's residence hall. I don't know. (Okay, so maybe the first one is a given.) I know this post may sound completely egocentric, and I really don't mean it to be that way. In fact I know what Ben would say if he read this, "So stop complaining and do something about it."
Man, it's annoying when he's right all the time.
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