Several years ago, I came across an article from a professor at Brigham Young University, who spoke about a list he made of 100 things he wanted to do to live his life to the fullest. It was one of those things that you see or read and immediately feel inspired. Inspiration, for me, is this moment of clarity where everything seems attainable. This article had that type of impact on me.
The thing about the list of 100 things is that it is not a bucket list. It is not what you want to do before you die. It is a well thought out roadmap to make your life have more meaning. This “Roadmap of life” can define you and change you into your best self while living.
After reading the article, I immediately started my own list. I call it my Live to 100 List. Currently I have over 30 items on my list that I have added over 6+ years. This list isn’t something that I want to write in 10 minutes, because these are things that I will do. I have to do. So if it isn’t epic, or meaningful, or fulfilling in some way, it doesn’t make the list. For example, I put on my list “Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro” because I lived in Africa as a teenager, had a chance to do the hike, and I didn’t take the opportunity. So now, it makes my list and will mean a lot to me when I accomplish the hike.
I love when I get to add something to the list. I have discovered I might even like it more than accomplishing the items on my list. Maybe because I am a dreamer, or maybe because it is a new and exciting possibility. Either way, I have found my Live to 100 list has an incredible impact on my life. I feel more engaged, excited and alive when I am working on something from my list. It is so easy to get stuck in the monotony of life. I mean, like REALLY easy. Think about how much easier it is to sit and watch TV after a long day of work than it is to go to the gym. Or any other worthwhile thing we all want to do, but can’t “find” time. Or we just forget to find time. OR we have filled our life up with so many other things (kids sports, work dinners, game nights, shopping, excessive yardwork, etc) that we don’t leave time for more meaningful items to make us better. Break the cycle! Find a way to fit these things in and overtime your accomplishments will start to pile up, and you will find yourself a little taller.
Read the article here! https://magazine.byu.edu/article/100-list/