I’ve been thinking a lot about life recently and I’ve come back to a common conclusion for me: I don’t know what I want.
The Traveler’s Notebook has an article on 50 things to do before you die and it’s a good list, but I can’t help realize that I have no way of creating a list of what I want to do before I die. I look at other people’s lists with envy. At least they have a goal or some sort of direction. I just have a short list of things I want to avoid; things like stress, pain and anxiety. I can tell you exactly what I don’t want, but the creative, proactive side of that line of thinking escapes me.
Lists like the this are fun to think about because they always seem to have some nugget of adventure and interest. There are always things on it that look like they would be fun and worthwile, but they just aren’t my list. What would make me feel like I didn’t waste my life? Is it even possible to get to the end of one’s life and feel fulfilled or is that some storybook tale we tell ourselves to keep from staring into the abyss?
I just hope I can think of something before it’s too late.
July 9th, 2008 at 9:39 am #Talix
Here’s my 42 cents: Instead of trying to aim for big goals, let yourself enjoy the smaller, daily things. The feel of the sun on your face; the colors of the wildflowers along the highway; spending time with your family; good pizza; major league sports; songs that make you ache…whatever. I’m almost 40 and the only major life goals I’ve realized are owning a house and supporting myself. I’m okay with that.
There’s no ultimate standard that determines what is or is not a well-lived life. You get to decide who and what matters to you and how you can maximize those things. Not everything is monumental or profound. Sometimes the best stuff is the simplest.