The following list has been in my mind, sitting on various pieces of paper and then finally typed on this computer for the past 3-4 months. And truthfully, I just finalized the last few items. The list is called 25 Before 25- as in 25 things I want to do before I turn 25. My 23rd birthday was September 23, 2011. That means I have until 9/23/13 to finish it. I have been holding on to this list for so long! You see, publishing this list means a couple big things. First, publishing this list means that I am committing to complete it. And that will be difficult. Second, attempting to complete this list means that there is the potential for failure, which is something I am not really OK with. It also means that you are able to read it, ask about it, and therefore keep me accountable to finishing it. The whole reason behind the list is a good one in my opinion. You see, I am a planner. In and of itself, that is not a bad thing. It becomes a problem when I over-plan, when I look to (and to be honest, attempt to control) the future so much that I stop living in and enjoying the present. I have quite a few friends who are a little older than I am. And they all have, from my perspective, a sense of peace, confidence, and sweetness about them. They have beautiful marriages and families. I admire that about each of them, and I kinda envy their position in life. So I plan- what I want for my life and marriage and future family. I get so caught up in the what-ifs and the maybe-whens that I forget to enjoy the life that is happening all around me now. I finally realized that I had to stop. So I created this list with the desire to be intentional about the time I have been given. Today. I am excited about completing each task, looking forward to what I will learn about life and myself from each of them. I am a little nervous about maintaining focus and completing it, but really the goal is to do these things because they will help me focus on now and not so much on things I have no control over in the first place. So here it is, the whole list. Some of them may seem silly or unimportant, but they are my goals and my desires.
1. Learn to drive a stick shift.
2. Spend an afternoon at the spa.
3. Finish my graduate work.
4. Learn to quilt.
5. Bake bread from scratch.
6. Eat something I planted.
7. Visit New England in the fall.
8. Travel somewhere…anywhere really, but preferably someplace exciting and new.
9. Go wine tasting.
10. Make a beautiful cake.
11. Take a cooking class.
12. Take an art class.
13. Cook a Thanksgiving- style dinner.
14. Develop a great wardrobe.
15. Wear something I made.
16. Take trips with Rachel, Mom and Grandma.
17. Take a tropical vacation with Josh.
18. Take some great pictures of my family.
19. Take a pole dancing class.
20. Make our house feel like a home. Our home.
21. Send at least one encouraging note per month.
22. Read the entire Bible.
23. Get a tattoo. Maybe.
24. Play and sing a song on the guitar.
25. Watch at least 10 of the Top 100 Movies according to AFI, and read at least 10 of the Top 100 Books according to the NYT.
Here's to living in view of today, the wonderful gift of the present. I can't wait to get started.
I love your goals! Especially number 13 and 20 and 22 and 5 and 6. I want to do all those too! :)
ReplyDeleteand FYI, when I went to post that comment, I got a "word verification" page and the word was sperm. So funny.
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ReplyDeleteOf course, I like #16 the best and we could combine that with #7, have a great time, and – you would accomplish two of your goals at one time. I am so proud of you, honey, as I see the way God is stretching and growing you. (even when you “squirm a little!). You will find that peace, have that confidence , and the sweetness is already a part of who you are. In God's timing as you live each day as it is given to you, you will reap the harvest!
ReplyDeleteBIG HUGS, Grandma