What Would Have You Waking Up Like a Child on Christmas Morning?

Remember the thrill of waking up as a kid on Christmas morning? The pure excitement, the energy, and the anticipation for what was waiting to be unwrapped? What if you could feel that same spark every day?

What if life could be more than just a series of to-dos, more than just getting through the grind? What if you could leap out of bed with a heart full of excitement because you created a life worth waking up for?

Here’s what fuels my fire—what gets me jumping out of bed ready to take on the world.

Things I Love (and Why They Light Me Up)

1. Knowledge – Every day is an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to become better.

2. Cold Beer with Friends – Connection over conversation and a cold one? Sign me up.

3. Being Outside – The energy of fresh air and open skies is unmatched.

4. Conversation – Real, deep conversations that make you think, laugh, and feel alive.

5. Travel – The adventure of new places, new faces, and new perspectives.

6. Listening to Others’ Hopes and Dreams – There’s nothing more inspiring than hearing someone’s deepest desires and cheering them on.

7. Sea, Salt, and Sand – The ocean is my reset button. The waves remind me to keep moving forward.

8. Hearing a Child Laugh – Pure joy in its simplest, most beautiful form.

9. Slow, Easy Sundays – A reminder to breathe, reflect, and recharge.

10. Working on a Goal – The process is where the magic happens.

11. Accomplishing a Goal – The pride of knowing you did what you set out to do is unbeatable.

12. Having a Purpose – Purpose isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the fuel that keeps life exciting.

13. Being Brought to Tears – Tears remind me that I’m alive and deeply connected to what matters.

14. Making Others Believe in Themselves – Watching someone realize their own power is a gift that never gets old.

15. Mentoring – Helping others grow and thrive brings meaning to everything I do.

16. Empowering Gen Xers to take back their time and energy – You’ve spent years putting others first—family, career, responsibilities. Now it’s your time. Time to rediscover what lights you up, reclaim your vitality, and step into this phase of life with confidence and purpose. It’s time to Age with Awesomeness.

17. Live Music – The rhythm, the energy, the way it makes you feel alive.

18. Road Trips – The open road, the stories, the freedom—it’s pure magic.

19. Storytelling – Sharing and hearing stories is how we connect, learn, and grow.

20. History – Knowing where we’ve been helps guide where we’re headed.

What About You?

What gets you out of bed excited? What fills your days with joy and purpose? Take a moment to think about what you love—the things that make you smile just by thinking about them. Write them down. Reflect on them. These are the sparks that fuel your fire.

Why It Matters

Life is too short to hit snooze. Waking up excited isn’t about waiting for the perfect day or escaping challenges. It’s about creating a life so meaningful, so vibrant, and so you that you can’t wait to dive in.

Your Challenge

Ask yourself: What would make me leap out of bed tomorrow like it’s Christmas morning? If the answer isn’t clear yet, start small. Reflect on what you love, set a goal that excites you, or lean into the things that make you feel alive.

This is your time. You’ve earned it. You deserve to live with purpose, passion, and joy. Wake up, be amazing, and create a life that feels like a gift every single day.

Because you, my friend, are here to Age with Awesomeness.