Be brave. Think pink.

Fact.

Yesterday I dyed my hair pink. Well not my whole hair, but a small section of tips located in the back, under a layer and only visible from the front if I pull my hair forward. It's no doubt a wuss's version of brightly colored hair, as subtle as putting pink in your hair can be, but you cannot deny... it's pink. 

Ever since I was caught coloring my hair with washable markers in the elementary school bathroom (true story), I've dreamed of having the courage to dye my hair a bold color. Colored hair is on my bucket list I suppose. So yesterday I finally just said "why the hell not!?" and went for it. I felt nervous the entire time, knowing I would love it, but worried beyond belief about what others would think. "Am I too old? Is this unprofessional? Will it seem silly?" The list of doubts went on and on even as my stylist blew out my hair to reveal a bit of pinkalicious fabulousity that made my insides sing. Isn't it funny how much you can intimidate yourself worrying about the thoughts of others? 

My bold stand against conventional hair color will fade within the next few weeks, but just like the last time I took my hair out to play, I couldn't be happier that I finally stopped stressing about "supposed to" and allowed myself a tiny slice of "just because I want to".

On Having a Bucket List.

Babs the Brave.

Yesterday my Mom went skydiving. Yes that's right, skydiving, as in voluntarily jumped out of a perfectly well-functioning airplane at 13,500 feet, only to fall fast and then glide slow all the way back down to earth. Fearless. Which is ironic, because my Mom is not typically the thrill-seeking type (a woman who once opted out of a family zip-lining trip in Costa Rica, she has certainly done a high-five worthy about face!) On this particular occasion however, Mom seized the gift certificate her daughters had purchased for her (after over a year of hearing "I'd love to go skydiving" we thought it was time to give her a nudge) and she jumped out of an airplane. Her exhilaration upon landing was adorable, endearing, exciting and empowering. "Just check this off my bucket list!" she exclaimed while making a gigantic check mark gesture... I think I was as proud of her as she was of herself. 

It was in this moment that I realized that bucket lists, or the pursuit of an adventure, experience, destination or challenge beyond our ordinary, are good for the soul. When looking at my mom's post-jump smile, I could tell she felt a truly unique sense of satisfaction - the type that only comes from accomplishing a seriously special task. And though it's much easier to come up with reasons not to pursue our lofty, silly or death-defying wish list items, life is simply too short not to shock even yourself every once in a while. So... what's on your bucket list?