A group of life long friends of mine had gathered recently and shared some stories during catch up time. Some had met new partners, some had lost old partners. Some had experienced loss of loved ones, some ushered in a new era in their families with new additions. After the surface and sometime superficial familiarities cleared, we were able to have some deep heart to heart talks which is what made this group so special in the first place.
It seems that we all had a list of things we really wanted to accomplish in life. Some things we goals we shared, some we didn't. Being a risk taker, I see myself more prone to gambling and playing riskier stocks than say jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. A few of my friends see it differently. It takes all kinds to make up the world we live in.
It was after seeing these people again that I decided to put together my life list. Things I wanted to accomplish or continue accomplishing. My life list covers the five different areas of life as follows:
1. Health
I would love to have a full body MRI and see all the bruises and scars from years of living, playing sports and the many clumsy accidents I endured. I would like to lose a few more pounds, but who wouldn't? I would like to find more time to exercise. As for sports, though I have finished with my soccer and softball leagues, I would like to get involved with swimming, maybe even competitively in a Masters program. I just want to stay active and stave off complacency (which should be on everybody's list).
2. Emotional
I went through a divorce and that was grueling enough. I have lost one parent and now deal with Alzheimer's affecting the other. Very stressful and they remain so. But I am able to balance out my emotions through the love of my wife and family. I remember when I was single how hard it was to function while trying to keep things bottled up inside. Partnership and emotional love have given me balance. What do I want to add to emotional list? I want to add more volunteering hours working with the underprivileged at the local Boys & Girls Club. Just when you think you have it bad, see how it looks from the other side.
3. Mental
I want to be able to share my feelings through music (write more songs) and words (write a book). These would lift me up and challenge me as an artist. I want to learn a new language and really use it. I want to solve Sudukos faster.
4. Spiritual
I want to learn to meditate. I want to learn find peace through the everything of nothingness. I want religion to be a comfort and not a locked door to others. I want to harness my dejas vu.
5. Financial
I want to always have enough, but not more than I need to cause me greed. I want to be able to trust my instincts when it comes to investments. I want to save for a rainy day without complaining. I would rather be richer in the other 4 aspects of my life list than on a ledger in some financier's office with this one.
These may or may not work for you, but they give you a good start on how to create your own life list. If your mission is to visit China or the Moon, more power to you. Just remember that balance in life makes your life list more rewarding and just as full.