Raspberry Iced M

This last birthday has prompted me, subconsciously, to consider my 40th birthday. It is only when we become adults that we realize our parents were right…time really does fly. And I don’t want 39 to come and go without tracking certain goals that will improve the life I have now.

Some are practical. Some are silly. Some will challenge me. Some will probably make me laugh. And a few have been dreams for a very long time.

Here’s to 365 ordinary days…and 40 intentional choices.

1. Read the entire Bible.
2. Memorize 40 Bible verses.
3. Spend one full day alone with the Lord – no distractions. Just prayer, reading, and quiet.
4. Write 100 answered prayers in a journal.
5. Go an entire week without buying anything.
6. Complete my first bullet journal (one year).
7. Write 100 blog posts.
8. Read 24 books.
9. Take an online class out of sheer curiosity.
10. Write a letter to my 50 year old self.
11. Move my body 20 minutes per day.
12. Increase the time I spend in the sun.
13. Take 1,000 pictures of my ordinary life.
14. Write and illustrate a children’s story.
15. Learn and try 12 new recipes.
16. Donate my time, money, or stuff at least 100 times.
17. Organize every closet and cabinet in my home.
18. Learn to make homemade bread.
19. Create wall galleries in every bedroom in my home.
20. Complete one home project I’ve always relied on someone else to do – and this may be the building of a fire pit.
21. Go on 12 planned dates with my husband.
22. Have one unplugged day with my son.
23. Mail 5 handwritten letters.
24. Say “I love you” more often.
25. Practice listening more than talking.
26. Visit 5 towns I have never seen before.
27. Watch 10 sunrises.
28. Watch 10 sunsets.
29. Take myself on a solo coffee date (accomplished only by actually sitting in a building, not by hitting a drive through).
30. Try 20 new restaurants.
31. Experiment until I discover what will be my “signature” dessert – something to bring to every family get together.
32. Go one whole day without checking my phone unnecessarily.
33. Plan/Design and decorate a possum themed Christmas tree.
34. Grow out my hair. Trims only…for a year.
35. Visit a Buccee’s. I’ve never been to one.
36. Make sushi at home.
37. Say “no” without guilt.
38. Say “yes” to something scary.
39. Pay off one major debt – I’m thinking my SUV.
40. Write, compose, and sing an original song with my son.

Checking these 40 boxes won’t make me a better person. But I’m making this list anyway, because life has taught me something I wish I’d understood years ago…that the life I want won’t happen by accident. It will be built. One habit. One prayer. One conversation. One ordinary Tuesday at a time.

Here’s to the last year of my third decade. May it be less about rushing toward the fourth, and more about cultivating my inner self into someone I can tolerate when I get there.