25 Things I Want to Do Before I Die
So, I typically avoid things like this – I barely know what I want to do next week, let alone “in my lifetime.” But I do believe in living with intention, and it’s hard for the universe to respond to my deepest desires if I never articulate then. Plus, I’m in a reflective mood this week as I move from Manhattan to Brooklyn and start a new chapter. So, for the hell of it… here we go:
1. Go on safari.
2. Live by the ocean.
3. Spend time on the west coast, absorbing its culture and exploring its terrain.
4. Play the lead role in a film.
5. Write a column for a popular newspaper, magazine or website.
6. Teach restorative yoga.
7. Host a talk show.
8. Go skydiving.
9. Practice yoga in India.
10. Live a bohemian existence in Formentera, Spain.
11. Learn to speak Spanish.
12. Visit Japan.
13. Be able to do a headstand and a handstand (yoga).
14. Make my own pizza dough and bread from scratch.
15. Become an expert at choosing paint colors for my walls. (I always get stuck in indecision.)
16. Earn a living through my writing and/or performing.
17. Inspire people with my art.
18. Learn how to camp (not car camping!) and spend many nights in the wilderness, sleeping under the stars.
19. Learn about Reiki, acupuncture, reflexology and other healing techniques; possibly learn to practice them.
20. Be the subject of an Annie Liebowitz photo shoot
(And/or another photographer who can really capture me on film.)
21. Plant and maintain my own vegetable garden.
22. Become a better snorkeler and explore the underwater environment. (Not scuba diving, though – that terrifies me.)
23. Become a regular performer for The Moth.
24. Live in a tropical setting.
25. Learn to cook really good Indian food.
That was hard. Some of these things are deep desires (“inspire people through my art) – others are just, well, things I’d like to be able to do (like make a mean saag paneer). Oh well, so it goes – the meaningful mixed with the mundane.
How ’bout you? What would your list look like? If setting intentions for a lifetime seems like a bit much… how about setting an intention for the week ahead?
August 30th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
I have quite a long list of things I’d like to do, and I’ve checked a few off since the list was started a couple of years ago. One of the accomplished items is the same as yours: plant and maintain a vegetable garden. I’ve also recently started a list of things I WON’T do before I die — stuff that many people feel compelled to do or that automatically inspire some sort of societal reverence. Item number 1: run a marathon. Not gonna do it. Couldn’t care less. I’d rather learn to yodel (#80).
August 30th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Amanda, I love this list! #14 was one of my goals too (let me know if you ever want baking company). In the meantime, I look forward to watching you in a film, listening to your stories during The Moth and taking one of your yoga classes
August 30th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
I love finding these areas of overlap! And I love that they’re both food-related.
Molly, I’m trying to think of what might be on my “not” list… the idea reminds me: when I was a little girl, my grandfather came to visit, and we went to the Inner Harbor in Baltimore. There was a shop there at the time that was all heart-themed: heart this, love that. We decided we should open a complementary “hate shop.” (I don’t know where the idea came from – I wasn’t exactly a dark child!) We would sell things like zucchini (my suggestion), Cabbage Patch Kids (his idea – he hated them, and couldn’t believe I liked mine), and other wretched and tacky items. He used to send me magazine clippings of things like an Elvis commemorative plate, and a mug that plays Ave Maria when you drink from it…. with a little note attached, “for the hate shop.”
September 1st, 2010 at 11:39 pm
Ditto on #9, #13, and #19…and maybe #24 if I’m lucky!
Have you ever tried Thai yoga massage? Another healing technique that uses elements of acupressure, stretching and yoga.
September 2nd, 2010 at 6:44 pm
Cindy – I LOVE Thai yoga massage… when I think of how restorative I find it, and these other healing methods, I just think how amazing it would be to be able to give that feeling to someone else.
September 3rd, 2010 at 2:42 pm
It’s a bit pricey, but took Thai massage training earlier this year and it was a wonderful experience. If you’re interested…
http://www.thaimassagesacredbodywork.com/workshops.htm