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Bucket List

November 30, 2009

All the cliches are true: Life is short. You only live once. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

I never knew what a “bucket list” was … I didn’t see the Jack Nicholson/Morgan Freeman movie … but I figured it out. Actually, I say one of the above cliches at least five times a day. That’s what helps me convince other people to come with me on adventures.

I’ve done a lot of things I’ve never thought was possible! Just by living serendipidously (I will blog about that another time), I ran a 10K (yesterday!). This fall I also did a 10K mud run on Maguire Air Force Base. I donated my hair to Locks for Love. I was featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer in an article about self-help books (more about that later). I’ve had articles published in local magazines!

I’m not trying to double pat-pat (private joke) myself on the back or toot my own horn … but seriously, if you’re reading this – just know that you can do ANYTHING!!!

By opening my mind, I’ve become better friends with myself – my friends and my family. I am happier, motivated and energized. Anyway, I’m getting off-topic, sorta.

Here are some things on my bucket list:

1. Run the Broad Street Run – 10 miles – May 2, 2010

2. Take a class at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts – Introduction to Aerial Dance Harness – December 6, 2009

3. Learn how to (indoor) rock climb

4. Take a roller skate dance class at MasterJay Moves Dance Studios

5. Ride a horse.

6. Set up “shop” and sell crafts at a craft fair.

7. Write a book.

8. Write a children’s book.

9. Make a fitness video/dvd.

10. Create and lead a major fundraiser – Collecting food? books? coats? school supplies?

I know this list will grow and change (so will I) … and I’m already proud of the things I’ve accomplished. But it’s really important to “write it down, make it happen.”

Please leave a comment and let me know what’s on your bucket list – and what you’ve already checked off. I need more ideas! (And, I’ll encourage you to tackle your list!)

Team GI Hos (in pink) "get down and dirty" at the Maguire 10K Mud Run - 2009!

GI Hos (in pink) "get down and dirty" at the Maguire 10K Mud Run.

  • http://www.kimbach.org Kim Bach

    Just WOW to #2! Re. #4, Sunday I posted a dream in a great art-project in Copenhagen, and was that I wanted to learn how to rollerskate, never dared, and I label myself “fearless” LOL (ps. would, even more so, like to learn how to ice-skate). #3 is also a personal favourite, always loved climbing, but am SO out of shape, and NEVER had any upper-body strength

  • http://www.kimbach.org Kim Bach

    Realised that you asked about MY first bucket list, it’s in the Colophon on my blog:

    Personal goals
    Become:

    Better at writing – so I can write a novel or maybe become a journalist
    Better at reading – so I can have the patience to read Kierkegaard
    Better at photography – so I dare to publish a photography book
    Better at teaching – so I can help the kids in Mjølnerparken and elsewhere even more
    To sum up: I work towards being able to make a living doing some, or all, of these things.

    Since I wrote this 4,5 years ago, I’ve written 600+ blogposts, taken a course in creative writing, taken lots og photos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimbach), and worked PROFESSIONALLY as a teacher. I recently purchased an Amazon Kindle, and am making progress on reading due to that, so I’m actually doing quite well here \o/

    Now I need to work on a new list, and it will read a LOT more like yours, I’ve been focusing TOO much on thinking, forgetting that my mind needs a body to keep working!

  • Kathleen

    Totally inspiring! I’m adding AllThingsGwen to my daily “to do” list!

  • Melissa

    hey… love the new blog.. I can help out with #5 you know… my daddy’s got plenty of ‘em…

  • Rebecca Todd

    Ever since I borrowed that “book of lists” from you many moons ago, I have kept up with things that I really want to accomplish in my own life. The half-marathon was mine…you should do that too…so many people to look at and its twists and turns make you feel like its not that bad. There is an 8k version too. I’ll have to include aerial dancing on my also. What a great idea! You’ll have to blog about how it was :)

  • Melissa

    p.s. that’s MMD, fyi… realize i didn’t put in a last name…

  • Dee-Dee

    hey cuz!

    love the inspiration :)

    when I came back from traveling by myself in Greece, I learned a lot about myself and how I want to live. I too want to live life to the fullest and appreciate all of it’s beauty.

    my favorite quote that I try to live by that is relevant to today’s blog is:

    “Dream as if you’ll never die. Live as if you’ll die today” ~ James Dean

    I believe in you and that yu can achieve anything u put ur mind to :)

    love u!!!

    p.s. do u have skype?!

  • Sanford Brown

    Gwen,

    You are way too young to establish a “bucket list”. You should establish the “Live your life list” as properly named by you. You have much more to look foward to accomplishing than finishing accomplishing. Your journey is just getting started in my view. Nice job!

  • http://twitter.com/AllThingsGwen Gwen

    Kim – I am always working on my writing. There's always so much to learn … but fortunately, I've had great teachers and come a long way! I'd like to write a book. I'll probably start with a children's book and go from there. My blog is great practice so far! Yes, my blog is pretty free-flowing. I just write what I love. Sometimes it's like a journal, sometimes it's pretty informative and helpful. I just have a lot to say :)

    Great job with your blog! I will check out your photos too. I am new to Flikr, but I will find you there!

    I really appreciate all your help and encouragement with getting my blog started. You are a great twitter friend!!

  • http://twitter.com/AllThingsGwen Gwen

    Thanks, Kathleen! So glad you like it. From one writer to another, that means a lot!

  • http://twitter.com/AllThingsGwen Gwen

    I WILL TAKE YOU UP ON THAT, DON'T YOU WORRY!!! LOVE YA!

  • http://twitter.com/AllThingsGwen Gwen

    Rebecca, you did the half marathon? WOW! A few people in the Fit Friends group on Facebook did too. Go you! My 2010 goal is to do Broad Street, then maybe I'll think about a half marathon. I can totally do an 8k … I will let you know when we go back to the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts. I did blog, check it out! :)

  • http://twitter.com/AllThingsGwen Gwen

    Hey Dee! Did you see your picture with Peter in that other blog post? Sorry I've been out of touch. I think about you all the time. Thanks for posting a comment. I love how we are thinkers and doers and passionate about life. I really want to hang out … such as shame we are far away.

    I know, I gotta get on skype! Not there yet.

    PS – Save the date, BRIDESMAID! 10-23-10. Make sure you bulk up on Devil Dogs so I don't look like a fat bride next to you! LOVE YOU!

  • http://twitter.com/AllThingsGwen Gwen

    THANKS! I love messages and inspiration from you, Sanford! You are a great leader, and I admire your principles. Yes, my journey is just started! :)

  • http://allthingsgwen.com/ AllThingsGwen

    Kim – I am always working on my writing. There's always so much to learn … but fortunately, I've had great teachers and come a long way! I'd like to write a book. I'll probably start with a children's book and go from there. My blog is great practice so far! Yes, my blog is pretty free-flowing. I just write what I love. Sometimes it's like a journal, sometimes it's pretty informative and helpful. I just have a lot to say :)

    Great job with your blog! I will check out your photos too. I am new to Flikr, but I will find you there!

    I really appreciate all your help and encouragement with getting my blog started. You are a great twitter friend!!

  • http://allthingsgwen.com/ AllThingsGwen

    Thanks, Kathleen! So glad you like it. From one writer to another, that means a lot!

  • http://allthingsgwen.com/ AllThingsGwen

    I WILL TAKE YOU UP ON THAT, DON'T YOU WORRY!!! LOVE YA!

  • http://allthingsgwen.com/ AllThingsGwen

    Rebecca, you did the half marathon? WOW! A few people in the Fit Friends group on Facebook did too. Go you! My 2010 goal is to do Broad Street, then maybe I'll think about a half marathon. I can totally do an 8k … I will let you know when we go back to the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts. I did blog, check it out! :)

  • http://allthingsgwen.com/ AllThingsGwen

    Hey Dee! Did you see your picture with Peter in that other blog post? Sorry I've been out of touch. I think about you all the time. Thanks for posting a comment. I love how we are thinkers and doers and passionate about life. I really want to hang out … such as shame we are far away.

    I know, I gotta get on skype! Not there yet.

    PS – Save the date, BRIDESMAID! 10-23-10. Make sure you bulk up on Devil Dogs so I don't look like a fat bride next to you! LOVE YOU!

  • http://allthingsgwen.com/ AllThingsGwen

    THANKS! I love messages and inspiration from you, Sanford! You are a great leader, and I admire your principles. Yes, my journey is just started! :)

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