Sunday, February 17, 2008

Our Deepest Fear

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light , not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make and manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

- Marianne Williamson

The Idea

In the spirit of John Goddard's "Life List", I have decided to establish a list of 100 things to do in my lifetime. While he climbed Everest, ran a five-minute mile, and traveled through over 120 countries, my list will include some less extreme goals. Such as milking a cow.

But I do have some lofty pursuits too. Like writing a novel and running a marathon.

So far, I have managed to cross the following off my list:

- earn a degree
- donate blood (x3)
- go hang gliding
- work on a sheep farm (New Zealand)
- hold a koala bear (Australia)
- keep a daily diary for a year starting on my birthday
- teach ESL overseas (South Korea)
- get my nose pierced
- get my hair dreadlocked
- ride a horse at a full gallop on a beach
- fire a shotgun and a pistol at a shooting range
- get a Swedish and a Shiatsu massage

My list will be comprised of 100 things to learn, see, do, and attempt, and will likely be updated and appended as time goes by. At twenty-six I can foresee many possibilities for the future, but as more of a thinker than a doer I am hoping that this public posting of my goals will drive me into action.

Carpe Diem!