Life list

This past Sunday I read an article in the New York Times about the growing number of people making life lists - a sort of "things to do before you die" list - and it got me motivated to start my own list.  It seemed like it could be a good way to provide a dose of motivation and accountability - both things I feel the need for right now.

I used to be someone with a fairly clear plan and many concrete goals.  I liked the sense of certainty (even if somewhat misguided and false) of feeling like I knew where the road was taking me (my post on how I read books further elaborates on these tendencies). Since having Q, I've kind of fallen off the wagon of goal setting, so I thought that sitting down to write a life list would be an interesting exercise.  I don't think this is a panacea for my desire to find a bigger role in the world, but I do think it might be an interesting way to keep me moving forward towards some goals, and hopefully that can be part of the process of solving the bigger puzzle.

Some of my goals are admittedly rather shallow, hopefully most are not. Some goals are considerably more achievable than others. They are in no particular order as yet.  I've tried to be specific where possible (and being quote girl, sometimes I had a bonus quote to tag on as well).  For some things I still only have a general idea without specifics, but I included these goals even if still in the formative stage and trust that I'll be able to refine it; I'm figuring that by putting it out there it's like clay that I can work with and shape. I think I'm going to keep this as a running list on my blog in an effort to feel some public accountability. 

Life List

Be present.

Focus on the things I can control.  (I'm not religious, but the quote that always comes up for me on this one is "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference").

Run a sub-3:45 marathon.

Compete in a mountain bike race

Go to cooking school in France or Italy.

Live in France, Australia, Italy, UK for at least a month each.

Learn to speak a foreign language fluently.

Do a volunteer vacation.

Get involved in a political campaign

Get deeply involved (with time and money) in a cause or issue to make the world a better place. ("Be the change you want to see in the world.")

Volunteer in a homeless shelter (or similar venue) for a Thanksgiving dinner

Learn to sing (somewhat) in tune.

Learn to play a musical instrument

Wear a bikini at the beach again (look very hot in it)

Participate in a long-distance team running relay (perhaps this one)

Follow the Tour de France on an organized bike trip

Bike across the US

Raise a happy, well-adjusted, compassionate child

Write a book. 

Publish a book.

Write a letter to the editor of the NYT (that gets published)

Learn to ski well enough to get down any run safely (and happily)

Do another Ironman race

Learn a martial art

Create art (paint/photograph/etc) good enough that I want to hang it in my home

Build/design a house from the ground up

Live in San Francisco again

Start a business or organization.

Create a retreat/commune/gathering venue for friends and family

Go on a silent meditation retreat.

Visit Galapagos islands

Study yoga in India

Comments

[Byron]

Have you seen www.43things.com?

[Ezra]

You forgot one: Go to Butning Man