January 12, 2015

Lists, Lists, Lists...

Lists.  A few years back David Letterman made popular the proverbial "top ten" list and since then the trend has been on a steady growth pattern.  And they're everywhere these days it would seem.  If you're anywhere near the Internet it's guaranteed you just can't avoid a list or two. Everyone it would seem, has an opinion on the topmost, bestest things in life and they want you to know it.  Really? Who made these people the authority on all things good, is all I have to say.

Personally I enjoy perusing the various compilations, such as, "The Top 100 books to read before you die", or "The 10 things never to buy again.....ever," or "The friendliest places to live."  I just can't stop myself from reading these lists, even though I realize that it's just the opinion of the one who composed the list in the first place.  I mean, how can you really put a value on friendliness, or the worthiness of a book, after all.  It's just not logical.

I've been a big fan of list making for most of my life, but never before has  my list making  been so vital to my very every day existence!   Generally my lists have to do with what groceries to pick up at the store, or what vital things to pack when I am planning a trip.  It's just that, despite good intentions, when I walk into a store sans list, every bit of common sense just seems to evaporate from my very being and I'm left with an empty slate and often times, wandering the aisles idling hoping for a moment of clarity where the list of necessities and needs are involved.

Lately, besides my grocery list,  I've resolved to start writing down the things I want to accomplish:   places I want to go, and goals that I want to attain things I want to do.  Okay, it's my "bucket list" so to speak though I do believe with a little time I will come up with a more suitable tag than that much overused term.

So, along those lines, here's my top ten list for January 2015.  Be that as it may, it's my own list, mind you and  I encourage you to create your very own list for the new year.  Then see how many things you can check off your list before year end.

10.  Learn something new every single day.  What a way to increase your brain power and by year end you'll have 365 new bits of information in your brain.

9.  Read.  Read the newspaper, a book, the comics, the telephone book, the road signs.  But do read every day.  

8.  Smile and say something nice to someone - pay that kindness forward and just wait for its return.

7.  Go somewhere you've never been before.  Open your eyes and look around - take the back road to somewhere and I guarantee you'll be surprised by what you see.

6.  Do something that you've always wanted to do.  Don't let regret follow you and drag you down because it's just not worth it the effort.

5.  Throw caution to the wind just one time and let yourself lose control.  Do it in the privacy of your own walls or let loose among friends.  

4.  Plant a tree.  Someone will appreciate your effort fifty years from now in the soothing shade and rustle of leaves in the winds that it will provide.

3.  Adopt a pet and provide it with gentle, loving care and a home.  

2.  Give someone the right of way on a busy street - let them in while in a heavy traffic jam.  While you're at it, add a nice little wave and smile as you do.  

1.  Try to find more things to smile and laugh about than you grumble and sneer at in a single day.  Believe me, what you give will be equal to what you get. Every time.  Guaranteed.