100 things to do before I go...

[Caimanson]

Well sorry, first I need to pay my mortgage before I go.
Don't want to make this thread too depressing

Seriously, to live life abundantly, whatever that means, I'm still wondering

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by Caimanson

Seriously, to live life abundantly, whatever that means, I'm still wondering

To love wastefully, forgive freely, and be without fear?


luna

[flowperson]

I like the way you think, Luna. I have found that the older I get, the easier your approach becomes. Petty stuff in real life that formerly drove me to distraction seems to fall away more easily each year.

Does this make sense ? I think we are all embraced by time's relativity and in ways quite apart from Einstein's teachings. Time is actually built into us since time is integral with the universe's fabric. The world moves so slowly for us when we are young, but begins to fly by faster each day when we hit fifty or so...or at least that's been my experience.

The older I get, the less consequential time becomes to me. It's like when we begin as children we have fewer memories and fewer reference points to relate to, but over time we accumulate more and more such reference points and finally have a realization that we are rushing towards some sort of point of profound change.

flow....

[InLove]

Hi All--

Good idea for a thread, luna. Interesting answers so far!

I'd like to actually complete some beautiful musical recordings of my own, and some with my husband (the musical genius). I'd like to do some original stuff and some interpretations of others' work. I'd like to put some of my mom's poetry to music, as well.

I'd like to write a book instead of always technically being a "contributor" or an editor. Getting it published would rock.

I'd like to finally become completely and undeniably fluent in Spanish, and then move on to, oh, say, Portugese, French, Mandarin, etc....

I'd like to help make life a little more comfortable and joyful for those I "leave behind". I want them to be able to see all the opportunities there are to experience Love. I'd like to somehow lessen the worries that can cloud our vision.

I'd love to go swimming again (something I adore, but have not been able to do for a long time due to illness). I think I'd probably love it if dolphins were involved.

I'd like to finish a painting I have been staring at since I started it a long time ago.

I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony (sorry, that was just too tempting).

I'd like to go on and on....

InPeace,
InLove

[cavalier]

Originally Posted by InLove

I'd like to finally become completely and undeniably fluent in Spanish, and then move on to, oh, say, Portugese, French, Mandarin, etc....

Seriously hard work.

We see things in the newspaper over here that Mandarin is becomming much more important in America, is that true?

[wil]

I have not yet traveled in the circles that anything more than spanish is important in the US. I know some folks who work in the auto and manufacturing industry where Japanese is important. And as China is taking off in further in the export and import business it could be true in those circles.

As for 100 things...I've started on a list of 1000 got upto about 300...and things start getting completed off the list as your list grows.

Many say 1000 things is nuts...but it is interesting how things get erased. And their are well over 100 places in the world I would like to visit....in about 10 years don't be surprised if I'm knocking on your door!

[InLove]

Originally Posted by cavalier

We see things in the newspaper over here that Mandarin is becomming much more important in America, is that true?

Originally Posted by wil

I have not yet traveled in the circles that anything more than spanish is important in the US. I know some folks who work in the auto and manufacturing industry where Japanese is important. And as China is taking off in further in the export and import business it could be true in those circles.

Spanish is almost a necessity where I live. I know enough that I can get around pretty well. Except for the little I learned in high school, I have just picked it up where I could. The secret is not being afraid to use it, so I have tried to use it where it would do no harm if I got it wrong. One thing I do is incorporate a phrase here and there when I speak to my grandchildren, because I don't think they realize how much they may need to know it in order to effectively communicate. And it is a beautiful language, to boot. I have a couple of grandbabies with Hispanic surnames, and (back on topic here) I'd like to see that they learn the language that others may expect them to understand. I just think it would open up so many opportunities for them.

I know that from my experience near the Canadian border that French is a very handy language to have in your pocket, especially if you live or travel in the area much. Mandarin is definitely becoming more prominent here in the U.S., as are many other languages. I'd love to know as many as possible, but probably English and Spanish are the ones I will hopefully utililize and enjoy with success "before I go". One area where I have seen how helpful it is to communicate is in the medical arena. There are interpreters provided in more than thirty languages at my local hospital!

InPeace,
InLove

[path_of_one]

Juan- you simply must get to Yosemite. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth. And go for a while- explore Tuolumne too and hike around a lot. Also the Bristlecone Pines are amazing. That area is where I did my doctoral research and it was truly a blessing that NSF supported me living in such an amazing environment for six months. Thank you, ranchers and NSF!

As for me, my list could go on indefinitely. I sometimes wish I could come back to do more after I go- seems like too much to fit into one lifetime, given that I spend an inordinate amount of my time sleeping and working.

I'd love to be on all seven continents (two down, five to go). My mentor and his wife finally got to Antarctica a couple years ago, their last continent. That same year they hit 100 countries.

Trek the Himalayas.

See Patagonia.

Go to Stonehenge for the Summer Solstice.

Climb Kilimanjaro and see large game herds in the wild.

Ride horses in Mongolia.

Pet a big cat- lion, tiger, whatever- just something.

Stay a while in a convent or monastery in silence.

Not sure if I'll get to (he's already pretty old), but I'd love to meet the Dalai Llama, or at least hear him speak. Though, I guess according to that tradition, it wouldn't matter which Dalai Llama I meet.

Ride Andalusians in one of the Portugese classical riding schools.

Though I don't know if it will ever settle down enough to be reasonably safe, I'd really love to go to Jerusalem and walk where Christ walked.

Japan- especially the Shinto and Buddhist sites.

Visit Mayan ruins.

Hike in a rainforest.

Learn to do the Latin dances, like Salsa and Tango.

Learn Akido.

Try out longbow archery.

Learn to play the cello. I actually have a cello now, I just haven't had the time to learn how to play it.

Finally finish this dissertation and start publishing books.

Make an impact- I'd love to help with conservation and development in the Third World. I hope that I can leave this earth just a little better than I found it.

Become a tenure-track professor so that I can impact students and teach compassion.

Adopt a child.

Not necessarily in that order...

Ultimately, I want to die knowing I have lived. Really, truly lived. I love the way Luna put it- to love wastefully.

[InLove]

Path--(Hi!) When you go to the solstice celebration, take me with you, huh? And ditto on Jerusalem and the area, as well as the Mayan ruins, especially the (what's it called?) the temple of scriptures?

And I forgot to mention sign language.

And sailing my own little boat. And dancing again (well enough to be dipped--yes, the tango!)

And wil, what do you like for supper? Give us a call when you get to the highway!

InPeace,
InLove

[path_of_one]

Originally Posted by InLove

Path--(Hi!) When you go to the solstice celebration, take me with you, huh?

I might actually get this one done this coming year. The Druid group I've been associated with does an annual celebration at Glastonbury that moves over to Stonehenge for the Summer Solstic sunrise. Wanna come?

I still don't know if I'll be able to afford it, but I'm going to try. I tend to fly last minute standby anyway (I have an aunt who is a flight attendant so I normally fly on a pass), and I like traveling without reservations- just go and see what you find and decide to do. I'd just try flying out several days in advance so I could get a flight if the others are booked.

Stonehenge is only open to the public on certain days and times; otherwise you're behind a rope barrier thingie. I really want to experience being inside the stones, and I'd love to see it "in action."

Oh, and I have my husband dip me all the time when I dance. We don't know what we're really doing, but it's too fun not to do! LOL

[juantoo3]

Kindest Regards, Path! Good to see you back around!

Originally Posted by path_of_one

Juan- you simply must get to Yosemite. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

I've seen lots and lots of pictures (it's hard to grow up an hour and a half away and not be surrounded by pictures), but I hear the traffic is horrible. John Muir rocks!

And go for a while- explore Tuolumne too and hike around a lot.

All of those mountains up around there are awesome! Weren't the Tuolumne an Indian tribe. Weren't the Yaqui some of their (not necessarily nice) neighbors?

Also the Bristlecone Pines are amazing. That area is where I did my doctoral research and it was truly a blessing that NSF supported me living in such an amazing environment for six months. Thank you, ranchers and NSF!

Oh, wow! A friend long lost in my distant past told me she spent a little time up around Bishop on assignment writing travel brochures. Amazing was only one adjective she used, but she used it a lot along with a few others. I am somewhat envious, and extremely happy you had such a wonderful experience!

I did want to say I think everybody has some great ideas. I would have not thought of the more sublime things, which is more a testament to where I have been and where I am at in my life I suppose.

I do think I must have a touch of tree-hugger in me though, because a lot of the things on my list are ancient trees to see. There is an ancient Cypress tree I have seen pictures of in North Carolina, there are Bristlecones pines outside of Bishop rumored to be even older than Methuselah, there is a tree in Africa (I have long thought Kenya) that I learned was called "the Mother Tree," but I cannot find it on the web by that name.

I want to see the places on the earth below sea-level: Death Valley, Salton Sea (check), Dead Sea, and Turfan Depression on the Silk Road in North West China.

I want to see with my own eyes some of the mysterious carvings on mountains and desert plains, Nazca only being the type example, but there are those in Australia, England and elsewhere.

I would like to travel the Trans-Alaska highway.

I would like to scuba dive. Once I do that, I imagine I would find many places to explore, but just getting to dive would be a thrill in itself. Although I would love to lay eyes on the sea floor off Bimini (the fabled Bimini road).

I would love to stand on the point farthest south on the South American continent and look across to Antarctica.

And if I ever make it to Tahiti, I keep telling myself I'm not coming back.

[JosephM]

Not a thing at all.

Love in Christ
JM

[17th Angel]

Originally Posted by Caimanson

Well sorry, first I need to pay my mortgage before I go.

Why would you care about your mortgage? You'll be dead.... The one place these *censored* can't tax you. Well, after your inheirtance/death tax... Then they can tax you no longer

Also when your paying monthly for mortgages... Do you not have a policy once one of the peoples names on the deed die the mortgage is paid off.


OH and another thing I need to add to my list of things to do before I kick the bucket... Draft a will.

[Caimanson]

Originally Posted by 17th Angel

Also when your paying monthly for mortgages... Do you not have a policy once one of the peoples names on the deed die the mortgage is paid off.

My dear wife reassured me we do have that policy.
Will need to hire a ninja assassin, then travel the world!

[cavalier]

Originally Posted by JosephM

Not a thing at all.

Love in Christ
JM

I love this sentiment
The idea of a list is great also, but I love the thought of not feeling the need to do anything.