The Life List

It is no real secret that I am quite goal oriented.  I've spent the last three years overhauling the very essence of my self, searching for truth and learning to embrace with gratitude each of my experiences, good or bad, for how it can mold me.  In 2007 I started a list of goals for my life- one hundred of them because I like nice, even numbers.  As things go, I became busy and my list was shelved and briefly forgotten. 

Then in mid-summer this year I really felt a pull back to my list.  I resumed working on it, asking myself again and again what I really, really wanted to do in my lifetime.  Fairly in touch with my personal callings-- that is, knowing at least what intuitively feels right and not right for myself, I included things that were ridiculously easy but meaningful, and things that possibly would take a bit of effort on my part.  Each item means something to me.  I do not concern myself with when any of it will take place, or how, and I am very open to creating edited drafts should the need arise in years to come.  I'll never back down from a goal because it seems difficult or unreachable. 

I never intended to post my list here, until recently when my girlfriend Bree posted hers on her own blog.  Suddenly it made sense that I, too, could share my own life goals.  The 07's are mixed together with the 09's here, which is why some have been completed and crossed off the list.

My Life List of 100

1. Stand in Times Square, NYC
2. Own both of our vehicles outright
3. Homeschool for as long as possible with each of my children
4. Photograph the Northern Lights of Alaska
5. Go camping as a family
6. Write a book and publish it
7. Pay off my (undergrad) student loans
8. Adopt a child from Africa
9. Then adopt more
10. Get a tattoo
11. Eat raw for seven days

 
12. Make a quilt for Nathan
13. Finish losing weight, and stay there
14. Meet Oprah
15. Take Jack on a real train ride
16. Grow my hair long
17. See Paris, France with Kevin
18. Visit Scotland's Eilean Donan Castle with Kevin
19. Own a laptop
20. Throw myself a girlfriend party with all my best girls
21. Spend a sunny summer afternoon on a boat

 
22. Take the boys to Lego Land
23. Sell our first house for (*) profit
24. Bike ride as a family
25. Donate $10,000
26. Inspire someone
27. Pet an elephant
28. Have a home office
29. Own a nice camera with lenses
30. Lay on a blanket beneath the stars, away from the city lights where they can really be seen

 
31. Cry tears of joy
32. Own a jean jacket
33. Photograph glaciers
34. Be fearless in public
35. Earn my Masters Degree
36. Thank (college professor) for the wonderful, human lessons she taught me about being a teacher
37. Hear the Dalai Lama speak in person, here in the United States or far away where the Tibetan Prayer Flags fly

 
38. Take in the Rocky Moutntains in Colorado
39. Publish a book of photographs I've taken, just for myself
40. Take a writing class
41. Attend Maria Shriver's Women's Conference
42. Make a twirling skirt for Marin
43. Photograph Marin in her twirling skirt
44. Tour the Eastern Seaboard in Peak Fall
45. See a Broadway show
46. Attend a Notre Dame game as a family
47. Learn to meditate
48. Drink a beer in a Boston bar
49. Live in my perfect house, detailed with beautiful baseboards, oversized windows and a library, surrounded by tall trees
50. Feel truest peace in my heart
51. Learn to play the accoustic guitar
52. Spend a weekend in Las Vegas

 
53. Complete a Breast Cancer walk for my Aunt Kathy 
54. Be a keynote speaker
55. Start my own charity
56. Befriend my daughter(s)
57. Buy a Thomas the Tank Engine table for the boys
58. Attend a spiritual seminar at The Omega Institute
59. Run a 5K
60. Own two-inch heels and wear 'em proud
61. Attend the religious services/places of worship for twenty faiths (As of late 2009, Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal, Baha'i)

 
62. Enjoy fine dining
63. Catch fireflies with my kids
64. Be humble
65. Host an incredible Christmas party
66. Attend a tent revival
67. Own stainless steel appliances
68. Open my own retirement account
69. Rock my sister's baby
70. Attend a week-long silent retreat
71. Indulge my African connection
72. Earn my PhD
73. Teach my children to swim
74. Go RVing! with Kevin
75. Make my own summer dress
 
76. Cross and photograph the Brooklyn Bridge in NY, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Perrine Bridge in Idaho, Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado, George Washington Bridge in NY/NJ, Mackinac Bridge in Michigan, Tower Bridge in London and Pont de Normandie in France
77. See a panda bear in person
78. Take my children on an airplane flight
79. Give excellent advice
80. Go horseback riding (as an adult)
81. Meet my dearest Internet friends
82. Habitually give meaningful gifts

 
83. Own a Mercedes Benz
84. Make bracelets for each of my girlfriends
85. Wear braided hair
86. Author an important essay
87. Own a piano
88. Paint on canvas and display it at home
89. Send my children to college, and others too
90. Ride a camel
91. Write an important letter
92. Hatch chicks with KJ
93. See the Vatican in Rome, Italy
94. Set foot in all Fifty States together with Kevin (as of late 2009, 24 of 50)
95. See the Argentine Patagonia
96. Grow a large back yard vegetable garden
97. Eat a fancy cupcake in a charming little cupcake shop
98. Visit Holland, MI in peak tulip season
99. Become a grandmother
100. Serve Thanksgiving dinner to a long, festive table of my favorite guests

Comments

[Bunny/Jess]

Molly, I don't know why, but I'm crying at your list. I have watched you over the last couple of years and there are so many things here that I see in myself.

[Jana]

I like the idea of a list. Also, come to Memphis. We have 2 pandas at the zoo. :)

[crookedeyebrow]

I love them and I'm envious of your list.

You know what tapped my heart strings the most?

"to hold my sister's baby"

My heart swelled with love and hope for your sister. I too wanted that on my list and now I'll be an auntie in march!

[Annette]

WOW! I'm rooting for you. My heart also melted a bit when I read about you wanting to rock your sister's baby. May you be able to cross off each and every one.

[SJ]

Such a great list Molly! Without a doubt I know you'll accomplish each and every one of your items....

And I think you should mark off "Inspire someone" (it's #26 - my lucky number!)because you have truly inspired me in so many ways, so many times over. I think your other readers and probably people in your real life would say the same.

I'm off to make my life list now, you've yet again inspired me to do so.

[Jen L.]

Awesome list! I am devoted to helping you achieve your dreams of standing in Times Square, seeing a Broadway show and eating a fancy cupcake at BlogHer next year.

Which tiny baby is that you're holding? That is such a gorgeous picture. I don't think there's a more perfect moment in life than holding your newborn baby for the first time.

[Frema]

I love this list and I'm so glad you posted it. I love hearing about other people's dreams and wondering what I can do to help make them happen. I know you will accomplish great things from this list.

Also, Nathan adores his quilt. We spread it out and he plays and studies the pictures. Thank you so much for making something so special for him.

P.S. I knew you wanted a master's degree, but I didn't know about the Ph.D. Very cool!

[Katie]

I love this! What a great idea. I, too, have tears in my eyes. Thank you for sharing your list with us.

[Laurie]

Here's a crazy idea: I work in Boston and live close by. I would also like to run a 5K. I don't have a blog, but read yours faithfully and have commented before about Weight Watchers. If your interested we could set a date to run a 5K in or near Boston and begin our training. When the race is over i will take you to drink a beer in Boston. Two items off your life list.

[Stacey]

Ah, I too can help you check off some of those items...your posts always inspire me (that's one), I'd love to meet you, as I consider you one of my internet friends (that's two), and while you're here, you can come to a tent revival! I live in the buckle of the bible belt - we've got tent revivals all summer long (that's three)! LOL And how you LIVE without a jean jacket, I'll never know. Great list, Molly.

[becky]

I couldn't help but notice that there were several things that had to do with NYC.. so I got scheming and next time Cindy is coming out to visit you should tag along.. then you can bring the kids on a airplane, visit times square, see a broadway show, take those pictures you wanted to of the bridges, visit internet friends (grin)... geez we may even find you a darn jean jacket ha ha!

Love the list!

[Jenny]

Where to start to comment?!?

100 - I hope that last year at my house was an inspiration!
97 - MMM. Cupcakes!
90 - A camel? really?
82 - You do a good job already.
45 - I think we need to do a roadtrip and see a Broadway show along with the Eastern seaboard in the middle of fall!
52 - And Vegas!
20 - Yes! How fun!

So proud of you and what you are and what you have become. You are truly an inspiration and I don't tell you enough. I need to make me one of these lists.

[Bill Shannon]

Molly,
I am linked to you from my son Will's blog, COTL. Since Patti has passed, I have often considered creating my own "bucket list". Each time I think about it, life happens and the inspirartion subsides. You've got me focused again. Thanks for that. My Best to you, Kevin and the kids.

[Jenny]

101. Write a new blog entry. ;)

[eddie]

i check back in now and then, always a great rtead...keep up the good bloggin