Thursday, March 20, 2014

30 Before 30 Bucket List



Life is marked in many ways. The passage of time, aging, the world changing around us. But, as Ayn Rand said, “Achieving life is not the same as avoiding death.” On the days when I feel as though I’ve accomplished nothing in my life, it helps me to think back on the goals I’ve set for myself that I was actually able to achieve. I love lists, I love checking things off, and I still use a paper planner that I can write things in (much to the consternation of my friends).

Hence, when I heard one of my friends had created a “25 Before 25” bucket list, I jumped on the idea. So, here is my 30 Before 30 Bucket List. I have a traditional bucket list, but that is a post for another day. More than anything, these things help me track progress, give me a sense of fulfillment, and push me outside my comfort zone. “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.”
Before Shot
After Shot. Yes, it's supposed to be abstract.



My 30 Before 30 Bucket List (created and started July 2013)

1. Participate in 30 Races
2. Work in 30 Different Temples
3. Read 30 Books
4. Olympic Length Triathlon
5. Learn Archery
6. Learn 30 Songs on the Guitar
7. Random Act of Kindness for a Stranger 
8. Paint
9. Learn 30 Arabic Phrases
10. Take a Dance Class
11. Hike Mt. Timpanogos
12. Learn to Fire a Gun
13. Run a Marathon
14. Visit Disney World
15. Visit New York
16. Watch the top 10 Movies on AFI’s 100 Greatest Movies
17. Write a Newspaper Article and Get Published
18. Watch a Movie in a Drive In
19. Try 30 New Recipes
20. Visit one of the Madame Tussauds Museums
21. Record dad reading Dr. Suess
22. Record dad’s thoughts on life
23. Try 30 New Restaurants
24. Drive a Race Car
25. Ride a Segway
26. Visit Hawaii
27. Get CPR Certified
28. Learn to Tie a Tie
29. Order Room Service 
30. Get a New Job

Some of them are easier than others – I’m already on book 20 for goal number 3 – but I’ve enjoyed working my way through them and imagining ways to accomplish the others. Rita Mae Brown said, “We animals live life in all its glorious uncertainty.” Here’s to living life to its fullest.