Change Your Life, Make A List

I have been thinking about my life lately, wondering if I will "get out there" in the last half of my life and make it even better than the first half. Actually, I am already over the half-way mark unless I live to be 92. Not that the first 46 years I've lived have been uneventful or lacking in some way. I just think life goes by so fast and I wonder if I will have regrets about NOT taking more chances, or traveling more (just for fun, not business), or being creative enough.

Over the weekend I went to Montara, CA, with three longtime friends from high school. We took a quick road trip to see another high school friend and just hang out together. During some down time I picked up a Real Simple magazine (April 2008) my friend had on a table. Inside was an article about making a life list - listing things you want to accomplish, places you want to go, classes you want to take, etc. - basically taking inventory of your "incompletions" so that you will have no regrets. I realized I had seen this same idea - making lists - more and more frequently during the last few months.

I found an article on the Mighty Girl blog where the author talked about her list of "100 Things Worth Doing." It was the beginning of a list of her most memorable moments. On her list were things like "seeing van Gogh's, Starry Night" and "Cracking open a book with my name on the cover." When you make a list of memorable moments you really do have a snapshot of your life - all your accomplishments, adventures you've taken and fears you've faced. What a wonderful way to remind yourself just how interesting you are!

WebMD discusses how to make a life list, and the pros and cons of doing so. My friend, Kathy Cano Murillo -the Crafty Chica - forwarded info about a book called, The Complete Vision Board Kit: Using the power of Intention to Fulfill Your Dreams, by John Assaraf. It is about creating a wall display posting all of your hopes and dreams, a visual inspiration to see all of your intentions become a reality. I like that.

So, if you feel "stuck" or just ready to infuse some excitement (and courage?) into your life, make a life list or create a vision board. Live the rest of your life like you mean it!