True Story- Tom and Sue, married 40+ years, had decided a long time ago that they wanted to travel from the East Coast to the West Coast in an RV, take in the American vibe along the way. They saved and bought the RV. Together they put the work into re-doing the interior and exterior. Sue sewed new seat cushions and they shopped thrift stores for items that they would need along the way. The big day finally came and they said their good byes to friends, would be back in 3 months or so.
Along the way Tom was becoming a fast learner of the ins and outs of the drive; Sue riding shotgun. Day 5 and only two states over, as Sue was relaxing with the sun on her face, Tom with his window half down, the RV just stopped. They pulled over, called a tow truck and the bad news was given. The RV engine would not make it to the West Coast, not even one more state over. They sold it on the spot, rented a van and went back home.
Good news-they found a company where they could just rent an RV for the trip and had a great time the following year.
Food for thought- don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Don’t wait and save up for years on one BIG thing when life offers SMALL wins daily.
“Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.” -John Lennon
So even after the story, you’re probably still sitting there waiting for the perfect time to mark something off your bucket list. Am I right? Well hello, there is no perfect time but there is today, right now.
Nothing wrong with having big things that you’d like to do before you die as long as you don’t forget to live in the moment while you’re saving up or deciding when/how to make that big thing happen. In other words, stop only dreaming years out when today is staring you right in the face.
Awhile ago I decided that I was going to add small things that made me smile to my list and make them happen now or at least in the very foreseeable future. (You do know these don’t all have to be trips around the world or lake houses, right?) So sure I have a few places in the world I’d like to see but I also have on my list things like:
Watching the sun rise and set most days
Spreading a blanket and staring up at the stars
Learning another language
Publishing a book
Speaking in front of 1000 plus people
Hosting a big farmhouse family dinner
Enjoying an approaching storm on the beach
Learning to play chess
And the list goes on. Most of these I’ve done (several times) and others are a work in progress. Simple pleasures. Simple list. And I add to it often.
Today, I challenge you to put an EXPIRATION DATE on experiences you’d like to have. Do them or don’t do them, your choice, but have no regrets my friend.
Hey, just getting started on so many things. Making the second wave of life even better than the first. You’re invited.
-Lisa
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