Unlikely Life Lesson

“Inappropriate, so inappropriate..” words of my mother in the checkout line with a face of disgust expressing her opinion of Cosmopolitan magazine. As young teenager, I was warned of such filth that exists in the world and how it could corrupt my impressionable young mind.

Most Cosmopolitan cover stories are “The Best of the Karma Sutra” or equally outrageous but enticing headlines. After mopping the weight room, I sat down to an issue that I found from 2005; more interesting than the readings of Marx and Weber for social theory class so I cracked it open. This morning, which would surprise my mother, I came upon a very inspiring story.

The one page article tells a story of a 30 year old woman who lost her life on September 11th. Eventually after months passed, Ann’s mother came upon this document called “Top 100” on her daughter’s laptop. The document revealed an incomplete list of goals her daughter had hoped to accomplish. Ann’s list only reached 36: learn about wine, Kilimanjaro, get a graduate degree, volunteer for a charity and so on.

The rest of my shift, I just stared at the article. I’m 21 years old…what do I want to accomplish. My thoughts followed me all the way to the other end of campus to my 10 o’clock class. Along with my notes about Marcuse and Habermas, I started scratching down my own list.

Go to all continents
Be a foster parent
Laugh everyday
Serve in the Peace Corps
Love my body
Be a strong mother
Walk barefoot in puddles w/ my grandkids
Run a marathon
Enjoy summer time walks
Learn proper use of commas
Send cards for no reason
Be a good friend
Start my own business
Visit all 50 states
Attend a Cubs World Series game
Coach my children
Learn to paint
Showcase my photos in an exhibit
Adopt a dog from the pound
Have some secrets
Be a better listener
Learn a choreographed dance
Remember people’s names
Do a standup show
Camp on the beach
Read the bible from cover to cover
Remember not to take myself too seriously
Befriend a complete stranger
Meet a president
Live a life I’m proud of

“What is not started today is never finished tomorrow.”
What do you want to get started on?