Do you have a checklist? I mean, you know, a set of goals on a list to check off over time? Most people do, if not on paper, then maybe mentally.
I’ve had one in the back of my head for several years now. Well, at least as long as we’ve started really more seriously camping at Texas state parks over the past two years once we became empty nesters. It was a sort of internal goal that I never really verbalized to Mike – I wanted to try to camp at as many Texas state parks as possible, and eventually, at least visit every single one of the 83 of them.
I’m usually the one who does the research and makes the reservations for where we’ll stay next. And I’m always checking out where the next great get-away will be so that I can check it off “The List.” I just never mentioned “The List” to Mike or anyone else because I thought maybe it was an impossible goal.
But then I got our monthly Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine a few days ago and discovered, hey, I wasn’t the only one who was going for this goal. In fact, the folks at this magazine wrote an entire article about people having the same goal! “Hey, wait a minute, me too,” I wanted to yell at the article! Why aren’t my efforts being recognized along with those other people’s?
Well, as I thought a bit more about it…I hadn’t exactly made my goal known to anyone, much less really committed myself to it. That’s the funny thing about goals and all, you actually have to make a commitment to it in order for it to take hold and become a reality. And sometimes, you need to know that the goal is possible by seeing it through others.
Ok, so, here I go. I want to eventually visit all 83 Texas state parks. There. I’ve said it and it’s out in the atmosphere. So now it’s real. And now I can be held accountable.
I love Texas state parks. They provide me with an escape and an adventure each time I’ve visited one. So, this goal is not a hindrance. It is something I’m excited about. I just needed to stop keeping it internalized in order to make it a reality. Make sure you do the same. Don’t keep your goals hidden. Make them known so you can make them a reality too.
Oh, and if you love to visit Texas state parks, make sure you get a subscription to the Texas Parks and & Wildlife magazine. It has a lot of great information, pictures, and advice for your next adventure into nature. And, it may inspire you as well to try to get to all 83 parks!
Happy camping and hiking!
