Before You Die......

This may sound a little morbid but during my frequent bouts of insomnia, I often think of what I would do if I only had six months to live???????

'Imagine. You've just learned that planet Earth will explode in six months. Or, a virulent parasite is wiping out the chimp population and it's beginning to strike humans-it's sure to be the worst plague in the history of humankind. What ever will you do during your last days on Earth?' ~ excerpt from 2001 Things To Do Before You Die by Dane Sherwood.

Of the 2001 listed, these are some of my favorites;

Write, "If only I had...." on a piece of paper and flush it down the toilet.

Learn how to say "I love you" in ten different languages.

Follow your bliss.

Haggle....and win.

Pay for the next car at the toll booth.

Eat dessert first.

Love to loaf, loaf to live, live to loaf.

Fall asleep counting your blessings.

Play with your food.

Kiss people on both cheeks.

Repeat the phrase, 'I will not die wondering.'

Give up being perfect.

Consider the opposite.

Meet the love of your life's ex and shake his or her hand and say, "thank you".

Emerse yourself in another culture.

Live.

There is a checkbox next to each one listed so you can check things off as you go! I think I'm at about a 40/60. Some of the items listed can realistically be accomplished, like 'put the toliet seat down'. Others are not so realistic, like 'carry on an intellectual conversation with the Dalai Lama'. Now I didn't say it was impossible...just a low rate of probability. I find those particular items to be the most motivating and inspiring. Just the idea that someone wrote it down, almost makes it seem more possible.

I sometimes struggle deciphering whether my thoughts are my own or are some warped version of what 'society' holds to be true. Selling all my possessions and traveling the world sounds like a great idea until I start sharing my idea with others. That's when I get alot of, "Isn't that expensive?"....."Won't it be depressing to travel alone?"...."What will you do when you get back?"

All very valid questions and instead of simply acknowledging these questions as a form of care & concern from my loved ones, I allow the questions to fill me with doubt. At thirty years old, I am too young to think or feel that this is as good as it gets. About embarking on his third career (police office, attorney, professor) a professor of mine once said, "I knew it would be tough to go back to school and learn a new trade. I also knew that in 10 years I would be 40 whether I went back to school or not. I decided that I would rather be 40 and have accomplished my goals then to be 40 and stuck."

As a reward to myself for not allowing my passion for traveling to die, I have just sent off to have my passport renewed. "It's time to start living the life you've imagined" ~ Henry James