by Starla Ross

Created on: January 13, 2009   Last Updated: June 21, 2011

Wrapped up in your daily life of work, children, errands, and housework, do you ever really take the time to look at your life as one large picture? Most people concentrate on the small, daily tasks and rarely take a moment to see the entirety of their lives. Their dreams and aspirations often fall into the "someday" file within their organized days.

Life is funny though. Time continues. Kids grow. Parents age. And that "someday" file sometimes becomes an "I wish" file of actions left undone and conversations unsaid.

What if you knew your time was limited? What would you do? Where would you go? Who would you call?

Maybe it's time to create your "life list" - a list of things you would like to do before you run out of time.

The term "life list" isn't new, but it recently received more attention with the 2007 movie blockbuster, "The Bucket List."

With grace and humor, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman entertained audiences as two older gentlemen from different backgrounds who found themselves in the same hospital room fighting their personal battles with cancer. Together, they drafted a "bucket list," where they set out to accomplish all their life goals before they "kicked the bucket."

Unlike the movie, where the two star actors found themselves with unlimited funds and a private plane, you may not realistically be able to travel the world for six months starting the day after tomorrow. But given time and long-term goals, what could you do?

The secret to creating a useful life list is to start simple. Begin with a few small items that are easily obtainable. Then begin adding more difficult tasks. Do you have a friend with whom you need to make amends? A co-worker who you should give an apology? A grandmother you need to visit? Lastly, add your larger dreams to your list - a trip to Paris, the RV trip across the country, or camping in the forest. Nothing on your list is too big or too small. After all, it's your list, and your dreams.

Place your list in a prominent place, so it's something you see every day. Consider making a scrapbook of your list including photos and journal entries of the things you've accomplished. Change your list often as your goals change.

And over time, as you think about the course of your life, instead of saying "I wish I would have," you'll find yourself saying "I'm glad I did."

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