Yesterday, I read an article in Real Simple magazine about a woman's list of 100 things to do in her lifetime (though her list really only had 67 items). I was surprised to realize I'd never made a list like that, being a list aficionado myself--as a teen I was fond of the Go-Go's song "Girl of 100 Lists." Later in the day, doing a web search about something completely different, I just happened to come across the 43 Things site, where people share 43 things they want to do in their lives and track their progress. Okay, okay, I thought, maybe I'll make a list....
I tried my hand at one and only got to 14 items before I put it aside, and most of those had to do with writing or travel. I'm sure there are many more, but it occurred to me that 20 years ago, I probably could have come up with 100 in a matter of minutes. Back then, I felt I had plenty of time to accomplish anything & everything, & probably would have written down anything that crossed my mind. Now, I feel the crunch of time, & was trying to write things that I really cared about doing, instead of just things I'd kind of like to do. Plus, some of the things I would have written once (skydive, learn to juggle, swim with dolphins) just don't seem important anymore. They'd still be fun, but I won't regret it if I die without doing them. And a few I hoped to do in the near future (like having a big bouncy castle party for my 40th birthday in a couple of years) are looking less likely as I plan to leave this state. But I do want to embrace life, and really live instead of always just planning to live, so I think the list is probably a good idea!
Oh, and speaking of lists and aging...my "baby" brother turned 30 this week, and one of the things I got him was the Book of Ages 30, which is quite a fun read. At the same time, I picked up The Big 40! for myself, to figure out what I need to accomplish in the next couple of years! (But so he wouldn't feel too old, I also got my brother a Darth Tater. I adore the fact that someone came up with such a ridiculously punny product & actually managed to get it made. And of course I have one, too!)
2 comments:
Hey Alison,
You left me a message on my blog asking about Bradenton Christian School, and I thought I would give you my opinions, and also offer up my phone number if you would like to talk about it instead of emailing.
After reading about your music, it looks like you have a solid understanding of all of life discipleship, as well as the gray areas that are sometimes entailed. Bruce Cockburn and Over the Rhine combined with The Who and REM lead to a gritty form of Christianity that can only be worked out in a step by step basis that makes faith amazingly authentic.
I was talking with my mom about my aspirations coming out of high school (I went to BCS K-12) and it was simply to be a multimillionaire by the age of 45. I wouldn't consider myself a Christian until college, but sure could put on a good face. All that said, Bradenton Christian is full of faithful people all through the administration and faculty. The student body when I was there was compromised of many middle class and upper middle class students, and very few lower class students, which to a teenage boy, led to a culture of comparison that gave me a desire to have the best of everything, regardless of how that happened. The racial makeup was primarily white with very few ethnic minorities in the school to provide alternative perspectives on life.
As far as denominational ties, BCS is supported by the Bradenton Christian Reformed Church, but the school strives for an interdenominational composition. I think there are strenghts and weaknesses to this setup, but know that in retrospect, I wish that I had more worldview training in High school. I didn't even know what a worldview was until college.
On the positive side, BCS is a safe school. Your kids can be very involved in successful sports programs, their music programs have been well developed since I have left, and I am sure there is much more that I have no idea about. I would seriously consider sending your kids there if their faiths are not well developed. If your children have strong faiths, you may be able to teach them much more about life decision and discipleship through conversations about what they are learning in the public schools. It may prevent them from living in a "Christian bubble."
If you want to chat, send me an email, and I can give you a call or email you with my phone number and you could call me.
Peace,
David
Hey Allison!
Congratulations on your upcoming move.
I have never heard of Real Simple magazine. I went to their site and it looks really good.
So, just wanted to ask - is it as good as it looks online? Is it geared to a certain age range or anything?
Thanks!
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