50 things…
So, this year (2016) my sweetheart turns 50. Seriously, 50? He’s um, getting older, and I am right behind him. We are moving quickly into a new season of life. I am excited to see what new adventures lie ahead. Instead of mourning what is behind, I want to launch toward the future. To do some things I’ve never done before and head towards 50 with exuberance, rather than let it creep up on me unaware. So, I’ve created a 50 before I’m 50 list…
I have always been a list person, so this makes sense to me. To build intentionally toward the future continues to be a good practice in my life. I am a fan of planning ahead and participating in the shape of my future rather than just tagging along behind. This is a moment where I want to lean into my life and fill it with vitality and energy. So, I’ve spent the past few weeks developing a list of things I think will be fun and meaningful. Some of it we have already planned (the trips to New Orleans, The Keys, and Hawaii have been on the docket for a while). Most of this list are more simple things that can get missed in the shuffle of everyday life.
Coming up with this list was harder than you would think. The truth is, I love my life. It is filled with great people and meaningful work. However, I am not really good at fun. I tend to import my fun in the form of fun people. You know, those folks who make a party out of anything (you know who you are). I don’t usually create my own fun. I enjoy lots of different things, experiences, and opportunities, but I don’t really understand fun. It’s weird.
So, when I created five different categories, I added both physical challenges and childhood fun to my much easier lists of places to go, things to do, and people to serve. I want to grow through this process, and intentionally plan some experiences and opportunities that will challenge me to grow. I hope to bring friends and family along on this ride, and look froward to lots of adventures. So, here’s my list…
- Paint night
- See the northern lights
- Missions trip
- Run a 5k
- Go Cart racing
- Broadway show
- Visit Oregon
- Write and teach a leadership class
- Sailboat cruise
- Visit a theme park
- Finish my quilt
- Visit New Orleans
- Use my blog for good
- Climb Mt. Monadnock
- Play laser tag
- Guest post on a blog
- Visit Key West
- Give to someone I believe in
- Bike the Cape Cod trail
- Play in an adult arcade
- Launch self hosted website
- Visit Montreal
- Spend a day exploring the Boston Public Library
- Give to an organization I believe in
- Develop a mindfulness practice
- Swim in the warm ocean
- Take a pottery class
- Duck boat tour
- Forgive someone
- Walk to Mordor (1779 miles)
- Jet ski
- Get a tattoo
- Visit the Norman Rockwell Museum
- Offer someone a second chance
- Zip line
- Take a photography class
- Visit the 9/11 memorial NYC
- Give more than I owe
- Dance lessons
- Rope swing
- Vineyard tour
- Visit Hawaii
- Serve a meal to someone who can’t repay
- Go camping in Acadia National Park
- Giant slide
- Reach 250 posts
- Read to a child
- Ski lesson
- Take a cooking class
- A day at the spa