The Life List- Day 9

Several months have passed between day 7 and 9. Let's just call that Day 8 of living, loving, and losing. 

Annnnnnd now we're back. So...I'm not really into bucket lists. Who likes to think about kicking a bucket anyway? As my grandmother lays intubated with doctors in a race against the clock and a tango with fate- I figured it'd be a great time for me to reflect on the precious gift of life. We never know how life will twist and turn, but there are a few things I know for sure. I want to live a bold, free, and authentic life. Outside of the day-to-day tasks, here are a few things I'd like to do in my season on Earth.  

26 Musings Before I turn 26...My Life List

1. Find love and make love on every continent.

2. Skydive.

3. Visit the wonders of the world that I have not seen yet. (So blessed to travel...)

4. Re-visit La Sagrada Familia with my children.

5. Write an open letter to my children in their landmark years. (10, 12,16,18,21,25,30, 40, 50)

6. Walk...no STRUT a major runway!

7. Lead someone to Christ and maintain discipleship with them.

8. Do an all-girls outrageous adventure.

9. Have more father-daughter weekend escapes. (Gotta let my Daddy walk on the wild side!)

10. Live and love abroad for a long time (Moving to the UAE in the fall-still working on the love part.)

11. Cross-Country ROADTRIP!!! (National Parks anyone?)

12. Attend Fashion Week with my sister.

13. Running of the Brides! (Go Team!!)

14. Be the chairperson of a MAJOR social event that raises lots of $$ for an amazing cause.

15. Be featured in an inspirational magazine article.

16. Sail on Semester at Sea again as a leisure traveler and an employee.

17. Be a professor with internationally respected work.

18. Fund a scholarship for girls to experience the world.

19. Speak another language fluently.

20. Frolic on a nude beach.

21. Take amazing "I love my body!" portraits.

22. Make someone's wildest dreams come true.

23. Live in a city where driving is truly optional.

24. Marry the one who takes my breath away.

25. Host a women's conference.

26. Raise a baby genius...or two...or three.

The Good Life

Day 7...

The challenge for today is to write my ideal life narrative using only present tense language for my lifestyle, work, education, finances, health, family, and relationships. Too often I think, "I will....." or "One day I should....". So, this has been a good exercise in viewing the possibilities as my current reality.


Onward Christians Soldiers,

Shon.

My Ideal Life Narrative


I just returned from another research trip to India, Ethiopia, and Abu Dhabi. I live in the city where I'm finishing my doctoral research on international education reform. I'm also teaching at the University (to earn the free part of my degree...lol) and working with a third grade class at Morningside Heights Elementary. I enjoy teaching teachers how to connect their students with other kids around the world in conversations and cultural comparisons. My work is especially rewarding because it gives me the flexibility to support my husband's ventures and my own passions. I love to entertain, and we have themed get-togethers at our loft once a month. I am completely debt free. I have a healthy emergency fund. And, I contribute to my Roth IRA at the maximum level annually. I treat myself the way I want others to treat me...like a princess. So I always make time for my standing spa date, yoga+pilates, girl's night, and gourmet club dinners. I am conscious of the way I treat God's earth, so you know I'm "Green and Chic!" My walk with God is real. It's transparent, organic, and thriving. I'm following my man as he follows Christ, and let me tell you, it's a wild ride. I teach a 5-6 year old Sunday School class and work with the Ladie's Club at Morningside. Service feeds my soul. My relationship with my parents is strong, and I am careful to sow seeds into my father's church and into my sisters' and brother's dreams. I am unreasonably good to myself, my love, my family, my friends, and my enemies. I have a seamless balance between work and play that inspires my younger counterparts. I could keep updating you on my life, but it's time to make a move. Until next time...


Shon