How often do we really allow ourselves to dream big and contemplate things (tangible and intangible) we really, really want for ourselves? I know I don't engage in this practice nearly as often as I could. It seems that birthdays and holidays are the only times I tend to be inspired, motivated or encouraged to really ponder this stuff....but what about the rest of the year, the bulk of what comprises one's overall quality of living life with the most joy, abundance, love, wisdom, laughter, growth, and possibility? I think it can be so easy for us as a society to judge or complain about what we DON'T want, maybe because the message we may receive from others is that we are somehow unworthy (not rich enough, not thin enough, not beautiful enough, smart enough, talented enough, ad infinitum) or being selfish (instead of loving oneself in a healthy way). This is the "easy," yet unhappy way to believe.
For those that know me really well, however, you know that I tend to take the "harder," less traveled road (a reference to the great Robert Frost poem "A Road Less Traveled") because it is the journey to happiness...or at least my happiness. So in honor of me today (on my birthday), I have created a list of 32 wants and wishes for the next 12 months. Some wants and wishes are bigger than others, but one must always ALWAYS dream. :)
1. A Christmas bonus.
2. Finally get an iPod.
3. Lose 30-40 pounds.
4. Pay off an existing medical billl, as well as the bill for my laptop.
5. Scale down my credit card debt.
6. Slowly take steps to get private practice work going.
7. A gym membership so I can workout on a regular basis.
8. For my left leg to heal so I can take a Zumba or other hardcore dance class.
9. Finish reading the 772 page novel "Brothers Karamazov."
10. Visit Carla, Matt, and the baby in Austin, Texas.
11. Go to Chicago and visit my friends.
12. Take a weekend getaway cruise to Alaska.
13. Visit Canada before my passport expires in October 2010.
14. Check out Mt. St. Helens.
15. Visit San Francisco/Melissa, Sam, and the baby.
16. Go on a hot air balloon ride.
17. Finally meet and have a relationship with the man out there I'm meant to marry.
18. Make at least one close friend in Seattle.
19. Go sledding with Tracy and Justin.
20. Take a cooking or photography class for fun.
21. Discipline myself to write regularly like I did a few years ago.
22. Take a Pilates class.
23. Go sailing (never done this before) with someone who has a sailboat.
24. Learn as much as I can about my Nikon so I can take even BETTER shots with it.
25. Visit a wine vineyard.
26. Donate blood, even though this scares the crap outta me (needles frighten me).
27. For Eddie and Rajiv (my best friends) to visit me in Seattle!!!!!!!
28. Increase in salary.
29. Go camping and hiking at Hoh/Olympic National Rainforest.
30. See more of the gorgeous Oregon coast.
31. To be appreciative of at least one thing every day.
32. Have MANY fun and spontaneous adventures.
