When I was younger, as a romantic, I always thought it would be great to meet someone in a fantastical way – like rescuing a girl from a burning building perhaps, or from being mauled by a mountain lion. But as I’ve grown older, my romantic thoughts have grown up, if you will, and infiltrated all the other areas of my life as well, much more than simply the juvenile desires of a high school dreamer. I have a list of all the different things I want to accomplish in my life, all the random romantic thoughts that have manifested themselves into life goals. I wanted to share them and see what you all thought of them. So here they are, in no particular order, my romantic thoughts for life.
Become the only millionaire in the world still living with his parents.
I know it sounds a bit ridiculous. You’re probably chuckling right now to yourself thinking what in the world is he talking about? Thoreau, my favorite author once said: “For my greatest skill has been to want but little.” I’ve spent the last few years living well below my means, living for a year in southeast Asia, and two years at a youth ranch for troubled kids. I’ve realized that most of the necessities that average Americans think they need really aren’t necessities at all. Though I sure these romantic idealistic thoughts will change when I find someone who wants to settle down and get married, for now, it’s nice to have the idea swirling about in the spheres of thought.
Become a treasure hunter
There’s no man on the planet that hasn’t secretly dreamed about this one. And I know there’s a gold nugget or a meteorite somewhere out there with my name on it.
Save the day
Anytime, anywhere, I’ll be ready.
Build my own house
I don’t think there could be anything more satisfying than actually living in a house that you built with your own two hands. Once I finally get tired of being a millionaire and living with my parents, I’ll stake my claim somewhere and set off to work 
Open up a Swiss bank account
Because honestly, how cool would that be? And I’ve heard from different sources that you can’t open up a real Swiss bank account unless you have a million dollars to deposit. So I’ve found the perfect place to park the millions I’ll eventually earn while still living with my folks. It’s a perfect plan!!
Fall madly in love with just one girl, and be with her always
She doesn’t have to be in a burning building somewhere. I’ll make an exception just this once.
Make a citizen’s arrest
Especially with the happenings in San Diego recently, I eagerly await the day when I’ll get the chance to tackle some scumbag and say “Don’t move…you’re under arrest.”
Write books that people love
And not just books, but poems as well. Writing is a beautiful form of expression, and I would love nothing more than to use the written word to inspire people toward something great.
Go on Walkabout
Perhaps you’ve heard of the Aboriginal tradition. According to the original tradition, it was a rite of passage for manhood where the participant would live in the wilderness for a period of up to six months. There are so many beautiful hills in San Diego, and I’d love to get the chance to leave one day and not come back until I knew the time was right. To quote Frost: “They would not find me changed from him they knew. Only more sure of all I thought was true.” Jesus himself went on Walkabout. He spent 40 days in the wilderness with nothing to eat, simply thinking and talking to God.
22 Comments
dude. love the list….i would definitely be a treasure hunter, on walkabout…millions, its all mental. we still live well below our means with 2 kids and i am rich…citizens arrest, yeah…write books, working on it…hope you have a great day!
Thanks Brian! Oddly enough, I was actually thinking about you when I wrote some of the items on the list. I’m very glad you approve, and it’s very cool to hear that you have similar aspirations.
It never gets old hearing about these goals of yours :).
I’m very glad that I can never cease to inspire
Well, you’ve done it again! This is a marvelous post, rich with truly romantic notions, some that will come true and some maybe not. If I were told to remove one from your list with the promise that all the others would come true I would remove the citizens arrest. Although that is something that I, too, have wished to be able to do, it is still the one easiest to pluck out of the list for your best dreams to come true!
Lydia! It’s very great to see you. Thanks so much for enjoying the list. I agree with you. If I had to take one off the list, it would probably be the citizen’s arrest. But it still would be very fun
Ben, you are fun! I was feeling down today, and needed a pick-me-up. I was hoping for a new post (although I think I may have seen parts of this somewhere else??) Anyhow, I was happy to see you had popped your head up to to say hello to the world; I have been thinking about you!
Hey, Jesus must have been really skinny after 40 days; I hope you will at least pack a lunch! ha ha
Thanks for cheering me up today. See, you have already achieved an item from your list- to inspire people with your written word. Show ‘em what you’re made of, Ben!
Thanks Genevieve! Haha, you’re probably right. Walking and fasting aren’t the greatest combo. If I ever do get to go, I’ll be sure to pack a lunch. Thank you for your encouragement. I’m glad this made you smile.
It’s nice to know there are men who dream of rescuing girls just how girls dream of being rescued.
And along those lines, anytime you offer your strength on behalf of a girl, you’re coming to her rescue. I appreciate so much when the men I know offer strength in little or big ways - holding doors open, offering a listening ear, helping with car issues, doing something thougthful, carrying something heavy, walking me out to my car. Just so you know, you don’t need to be mauled by a lion to come to the rescue. 
(sorry for the the tangent).
Your dreams are wonderful! It’s so fun to dream and set goals…I have a list of my own.
Treasure hunter…that’d be great! I’m reminded of National Treasure or The Amazing Race! That’s awesome you want to build your own house. Similar to that, I’d love to design my own home someday. And you’ve already accomplished writing books that people love…I look forward to reading some more! A Walkabout sounds sweet…I think it’d be cool to take a considerable, undesignated amount of time off and travel by backpacking or riding a bike.
Question: what’s Save the day?
Thanks for sharing! Definitely brought a smile to my face.
Erin! Thanks for checking out my random idealistic, romantic thoughts and hopes for the future. I particularly left “Save the Day” ambiguous because I don’t know what form it’ll take. It would just be nice to somehow “Save the Day!”
I very much appreciate you for being an old-fashioned romantic like me
There are very few of us out there these days. We’ve got to band together!!
I agree on both accounts.
I love that this is the way God created me, and it’s a joy to discover that other romantics are out there! There’s just so much life to live and love to share!!
1. It would just be nice to somehow Save the Day. I have a large collage with magazine clippings, one says “My dream is to be a hero.”
2. Romantics do need to band together.
Right on. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting to be a hero or save the day. David, who was the man after God’s heart, was the perfect example of the warrior poet. He was a definite romantic, writing all kinds of poetry, but he also went out and saved the day on many occasions. I’m very glad that you love the way God created you. That’s awesome
Wow, when you make that million and put the girl in the house built by your own hands, that girl is gonna love you sooooo much.
You are so sweet and funny.
And… a bit of news what’s up in my sphere…
I’m excited about this week, and all the upcoming give-ways on my blog — including 7 poetry books by Billy Collins and 7 of my cds, (of songs I wrote.) I am giving things to spread some happiness around. Come on over!!
xo
Sweet. Will do. Thanks for the heads up. Poetry and music are the best. And thanks for enjoying the list.
Me too, I want to fall madly with one girl and to be with her always.
BK, excellent! You be quite the experience wouldn’t it
How did I know that you getting mauled by a mountain line was going to be in your romantic ideas of meeting a woman, Ben? Haha, great list though! I wouldn’t mind finding those adventures myself! Especially the writing a book and going on a walkabout.
Haha, how did you know
I’m bummed that you’re just now starting your blog. I’ve just stopped using mine actively for the time being unfortunately 
I’ve been hit with lots of other work.
haha great list! I like #6 the best!
Hope mah Superman has that on his list too!
hope your doing well, Ben!
Thanks Amanda! Truth be told, I like number 6 the best as well, and am greatly looking forward to the possibility. I’m doing very well, just been so busy with other work recently. Sorry I haven’t been able to connect recently. I do very much enjoy reading your thoughts on a regular basis.
It seems I’m a bit late in reading this blog/post … as all of the comments are from earlier this year. Ha! So I hope you don’t mind the late intrusion…I happened upon this blog and have instantly fallen in love with it
I, too, am a hopeless romantic, and I just LOVE reading this post and your list, Ben. It’s a fantastic list!!
Just about everyone has already mirrored my thoughts/feelings with their comments previously - I would like to say that I loved your reference to David being a man after God’s heart.
This has really just brightened my day - so thank you! And, albeit late, I can’t wait to explore your other posts now and play catch up
Hope you have a stellar day-
~Abby~
Abby! Thanks so much for your comments. I definitely don’t mind a late intrusion. The only downfall is that reading your comment and rereading through the blog post makes me eager to get back to blogging, which I still don’t quite have time to do
Even so, your comments are very great to read.