100 Not Out

A couple of weeks ago my grandmother celebrated her 100^th birthday. In giving thanks for a life well lived she commented that she ‘hoped she had achieved something.’ And that got me thinking about how so often many of us don’t focus on what we really want but somehow muddle through just dealing with the day to day. Time stretches out seemingly endlessly before us. And then we notice that the years are rolling by more quickly and suddenly we have rather a lot we still want to cram into life.

So, whatever age you are – ask yourself what you'd like to achieve before you hit 100. Write it down. The go through the list and ask yourself ‘how would I feel if I didn’t do/feel/experience/see/hear this?  You might find you cross a few things off your list as ‘nice to have’s rather than ‘must do’s. Next look at the whole list and ask yourself how you’d feel if you DID do/feel/experience/see/hear everything on your list. Is anything missing?

You might want to repeat these steps several times over a few days, until you’re happy with your list.

Next, fast forward to the day before your 100^th birthday. Imagine that you’ve done and experienced everything on your list. Which memory gives you the most pleasure? Which is the one that makes you feel most proud? Which one wouldn't you’ve missed for the world?

Better get started now then.