Read the release interview with author, Karen C. Eddington

Karen, thank you for taking time to interview with us today. We are all wondering, what exactly is a landmark list? Take the concepts of your goals, or a “bucket list,” as many people now like to make, and convert the concepts into daily life. What can you do on a daily basis to feel meaning and purpose? A basic landmark list will answer the questions: What do I look forward to? What makes life good? You can also create a list to improve your relationships, your business performance, and create a more detailed guide to live life to the fullest. Examples are provided in the book.

My husband’s family is really into backpacking. Every year they take a trip into the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming. While I was writing the book, I included an excerpt about a difficult climb. Sometimes the burdens in life are exhausting. Just like hiking a steep trail, we need things to look forward to. We need a rock, tree, or landmark in sight that remind us we have the strength to keep going. No matter if we are backpacking a steep trail or just trying to navigate successfully through life, identifying landmarks can change your perspective. Just as written goals help program your brain to accomplish tasks, a Landmark List can help you know what you live for. Sometimes we don’t really know what we are excited about or what our passions are. A Landmark List will help us become aware and can then change our attitude and help us thrive verses coast through life. Knowing what motivates you gives you courage.

What would you share with someone who feels they have nothing to look forward to?

Life is hard, but I have seen people in dire circumstances find a resolve to keep going. If you are struggling, start with one thing. What can you look forward to? It may be a favorite food, a favorite TV show, or a person you interact with. Once you reach that landmark find another and another. Add to your list. Keep looking for the good in your life so you can surround yourself with it.

I want to ask a question that may be a little more controversial. The book addresses a character that is suffering from daily depression. You have spoken about choice and that we all have agency. How is someone suffering from a more severe form of depression supposed to tap into the landmark concept and make choices when they are in a really difficult situation?

The first thing we have to recognize is there is no easy answer for depression. You should consult a professional to guide you through these situations.

What I do want to help people who are struggling deeply understand is that we can’t control things that happen to us. But we always always have a choice in how we will handle and react to a situation. We can choose to ask for help. We can choose to set daily landmarks. If we want to escape depression it is going to take effort, choice and action. Anyone suffering from emptiness and despair needs to know that they are not alone. There are people all around you. Find one person to reach out to. Find one thing out of your day to look forward to and keep going. I have interviewed many who have been through intense situation ranging from self harm, to not getting out of bed for days on end. These people have inspired me as they have worked through some hard times. They reached within to find strength when it felt easier to give in to the natural feelings of despair. Although they still have to fight some burdens with clinical depression they have kept going and found life has gotten better. Again, remember you are not alone. Then start by making one small choice. What landmark can you look to? What person can you reach out to? Keep going and life will get better.

Karen, I saw your Landmark List. Tell some of your readers a couple things you look forward to and what you have learned from your own list.

I love being a mom. But, just like any other Mom I deal with tantrums, never ending laundry, back talking, and the war to keep my sons bathroom clean. Do you know how easy it is to get distracted by the yellow residue I have to scrub off the wall? Why would anyone in the world look forward to that? I’ve dreaded life monotony. I have had days I didn’t want to get out of bed. But the difference is your attitude, your perspective, and what you are looking for. Take the same scenario of motherhood. Do you know what I live for? I love dancing in the basement with my kids. My little boys does a robot that is hilarious. I love when my daughter scrunches her nose and smiles. I love listening to my son read and tell his dramatic stories. I wake up in the morning and now get excited to see my kids instead of grumble under my breath. You can apply this to anything in life.

Work. I run a non-profit on self esteem. I have deadlines, reports, and overwhelming moments. But what am I looking for? I love seeing the impacts of self esteem education on the lives of others. I look forward to the moments I am teaching. I live for the days I can watch a teenager open their eyes to their potential. It makes everything worth it for me. Take your life situations and pinpoint the things you look forward to.

Thank you for your time Karen. We are excited to read the book and create our own Landmark List.