I've recently been making a list of all the things I want to accomplish this year, and it got me thinking about everything I want to do before I die. My list is short right now, but I'm continually adding things. Some are small things, like getting the courage to do karaoke or trying snorkelling. Others are as big as Bungee Jumping or learning to play the piano. What's on yours?
In a Human Relations class I took last year we had to do a list of 100 things to do before I die. It was of course 'lame' because it was a school assignment, but I admit to secretly loving it. I still have my list and have actually managed to check somethings off. Some things still to do: Earn a Masters Degree in something, Own a private island, See and wade in all seven seas, Ride my horse across the province or country to raise money for a charity... The instructor said that making lists like these make it more likely that you'll actually do them because, you've written it down and are more aware of it, so when an opportunity comes along, you can be prepared to take it.
Someone once told me "a goal not written down is just a dream." And I had a similar assignment when I was in school. This was...almost eleven years ago, so I don't know where THAT list is, but I made a new one earlier this year and taped it in my journal.
I am a little afraid because I have done a lot of the things on my list. See Les Miserables (saw it) Graduate College with honors (did it) Travel out of the country (did it...twice) Get married (did it) Own a house (I do) Perform a leading role in a Shakepseare play (did it) The ones I haven't yet: Have a kid See a play on Broadway Write a book Actually get published Climb Halfdome
I had a list of ten things to do before I hit 50, after which time some might be a little tricky. I've sailed past 50 and beyond with a fair few outstanding. Let's see now... Meet a man really worth spending a lot of time with who accepts me as I am Visit the USA but cannot decide which part yet Finish the house and keep it clean and tidy Finish the garden, which at 1.25 acres may take a while Go gliding Have a horse again and hack around the beautiful countryside I live in
- speak fluent French - live in France or Australia - travel a lot (places I want to visit/revisit include India, China, Tibet, NZ, Russia, Sinagpore, Indonesia, Italy,Greece,Turkey,Bulgaria Botswana, Morocco, Eygpt, South Africa, Canada, Peru, Brazil and Cuba ) - have children/adopt children - have a job I enjoy - get better at writing - start the piano again - there are plenty more but I won't bore you Mhmm
Dal...California is lovely...every kind of environment you want from beach to mountain to desert. Best weather in the country IMO. And awesome people...like me
Set foot on a planet beyond our solar system. and that's just the first one. I guess I need to live forever.
Visit Rome and Athens. See the Leafs live in Toronto (in the ACC), and the Raiders live in Oakland. See one or preferably both actually win a championship. See all my favourite acts live- Opeth, Arjen Lucassen, Neal Morse, Dream Theater, Alizée and Iron Maiden. Probably not all at one show though. Get published. And the biggest- see the Ring Cycle and Tristan und Isolde in Bayreuth.
Small things but, they mean a lot to me....well, the thing I'd like to do most is become a teacher. More than anything. I'd like to go to the Netherlands....and have kids. I'd like to meet someone who loves me more than anything. It'd be really cool to get my writing published. I'd like to buy a horse. I'd like to be a counselour.....I'd like to travel and make a difference in somone's life too.
Some 16 main goals of my life. -try establishing 'cordial' relations with my Mom before I turn 18. -achieve 95% or more in 12th. -top IIT-JEE. -travel around the world before 20. -get into the IAS, train for it, then leave the service. -qualify IIM with top honours. -become an entrepreneur/executive officer before I turn 30. -get married to someone who loves and appreciates me and have/adopt kids. -design at least 1 house. -get over my hydrophobia. -become a millionaire before I turn 30. -start my own designer line -make some REAL friends before 50. -become engraved in history for SOME major thing that's beneficial for the world. -Win a Padma Shree/Nobel Prize for my parents.
- Mentor someone as I once was and finally repay my debt - Graduate college with honors - Earn a master's degree in... something - Get that tattoo - - Travel to Japan, Ireland, Finland, Spain, France, Czech Republic, Germany, and Italy to see all of my friends and family which live there (no one cool evidently lives in the USA) and appreciate all of the art which I have learned about, especially the art in Japan and Italy (I'd even venture into the Vatican ). - Write one amazing book earning some kind of status, whether it was on the NYT Bestsellers list, earns an award, or becomes a cult classic... something - Jump as high as Michael can (horseback riding; 6 feet. I'm around 3 feet now...) - Go to one major sporting event (Olympics, World Cup, Superbowl) - Go to Ozzfest - And then, that special something that is far too personal to post for all to see on the world wide web... I need to get to work.
In no particular order: Spend a year on the Serengeti Complete my degree Make MTV release The Maxx on DVD And about a million other, little things that may or may not rhyme.
Space both fascinates and terrifies me, but I'd love to explore the universe as well. In the meantime... http://www.methuselahfoundation.org/ <-- Dr Aubrey de Grey's Web site for radical life extension (who I got to interview a few months back; *brag* ) http://www.imminst.org/ <-- The latest updates on radical life extension Also check out Ending Aging by Dr de Grey. Also just Google him. He's cited in dozens of articles and is videotaped giving speeches on the subject. It's entirely possible you might be able to live for considerably longer than you think! I didnt put this on my list because it would take a lot of explaining, but one of my goals is to be the last living human being.
Whoooosh! That's a cool list! Aha I would buy your stuff...must add to my list, 'make enough money to buy lots of CLOTHES and SHOES ahaha'
One thing that I'm kind of obsessing on right now...I'd really love to work in Antarctica for a few months (the summer months). I don't know what kind of work I'd do - something easy, lol - but I think it would be an amazing experience.
I would love to ... 1) Visit Russia 2) Visit the U.S. 3) Lay flowers at H.P. Lovecraft's headstone in Providence (my favourite writer) 4) Sail around the Mediterranean 5) Meet Michael Stipe (lead singer from R.E.M.) again. Maybe have a conversation with him that lasts longer than two lines. 6) Fly a plane. 7) Get a job so I can live comfortably, and at peace with the rest of the world.
- Spend 2 days in bed. Just doing crosswords & watching box-sets of anything like One Tree Hill or Sex & the City. I guess some time without being responsible! - Go away with the girls - Finish my 5 foot high ironing pile! - Make a positive difference in somebodys life - Get a worthwhile job - Start a lingerie company! So many more doubt I'll get through them though lol. Good luck with yours! x
Get a management position somewhere. Finish my current novel. Keep up with living on my own for the first time. Eat right. Lose some weight. Exercise more. Get to the point I can go hiking again with my leg (darn these metal rods!)
