Rules are as follows:

• Mention the person who nominated you
• List 13 reasons why you keep going/living (This is borrowed from the book but I’m taking it the opposite direction).
• Nominate 10 or more people to give their reasons why.
• Use the picture that I created in your post. I’m sorry that I’m a bit bad a making these things… But I tried.

Thank you, Merlin’s Musings, for tagging me in this!  It’s always good to have to think through what exactly are the things that keep me moving forward in life.  Although I generally feel as though I have lived a rich, full life that I would be proud to call entire if I died tomorrow, I’m also happy for it to keep going.  So here are My Reasons Why I keep going/living, both the mundane and the profound:

1) My To Be Read/To Be Watched Lists

There are so many amazing things to read and watch in this world!  We’re living in a time of creative abundance, and I don’t want to die before watching the sequel to Avengers: Infinity War or missing out on Noelle Stevenson’s newest project.

2) My Cat

Rory deserves to live the rest of his life in spoiled bliss, and since I’ve just taken him 2,000 miles away from the only other people who will cater to his every whim appropriately, I’ve got to stick around to make sure he’s okay.

3) My Faith

When I get morose and philosophical, literally the only thing that keeps me from despair is the belief that God is invested in equipping people to change the world for the better, one person and one day at a time.  “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

4) My Work

My faith leads directly into my work.  I think God has uniquely equipped me to be an emotional safe space for people in pain.  I’m also hella organized, and it’s been such a joy the last couple years to have found a profession that allows me to wake up each day and think, “I was made for this.”

5) New Travel Opportunities

I’m not allowed to die until I see Japan and Iceland AT LEAST.  Hear that, God?  You respond well to arrogant demands, right?

6) My Friends

There are very special people all over the planet who I love very deeply, and I love looking forward to our next reunions.

7) Future Friends

One of my favorite things about moving is the knowledge that I have potential kindred spirits all over the place.  It’s exciting to think that I might run into a new one at any time!

8) Food

Chocolate and wine and Korean BBQ and good coffee…there is so much joy to be had in eating and drinking good things.  I’m not tired of it yet.

9) Writing

I always wanted to be a writer when I was growing up, and while it’s no longer quite the driving force it once was, I do think I’ve got a project in me somewhere.  I’d like to make it a reality before I die.

10) My Podcast Queue

There are way more podcasts in my subscription list than I can ever get through, and yet I keep adding to it!  If I’m not allowed to go until I get through them all, I’ll never die.

11) There is Always More to Learn

I am already mildly entertaining the idea of taking Japanese classes this summer, and even if that doesn’t happen, I know I’ll find some reason to get back into an educational setting.  I love to learn new things, and the world is vast, so I’ll never run out of new interests.

12) Make an IRL Friend out of Someone I’ve Met Online

I’m very late to party when it comes to being an active participant in online fandom, and now that I’m making friends who share my obsessive interests, I’d love to meet some of them in person.

13) I Want to Pet a Cheetah

Can’t die until this happens.  MAYBE a lion would be an acceptable alternative.  But mostly it’s got to be a (healthy, happy) cheetah who maybe jumps into my jeep while I’m on a safari.

---

I don’t actually follow a lot of bloggers, but I definitely tag Wild Ginger Blog.  What are your 13 Reasons Why you keep going and living?