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?

Resolve. Be happy(er).

I'm counting on it!

Do you make New Years resolutions? I do and as I've grown older, I've come to really welcome them. I love the idea of re-focusing on self-improvement and becoming a happier version of who I was the year before. For me, 2012 was... well it just was. There were moments of incredible joy, but there were also challenges. Upon reflection, there were too many moments when I allowed myself to lose my merry mojo.

What's awesome about this admission, is all the potential it carries. While we cannot control what life throws at us, I think we can be determined to handle it a certain way. My resolutions are not just a tangible list, but also a desire to improve my 'tude. I want to dwell less on things I can't control and be more satisfied with what I have instead of always worrying about what I'll need next. I want to "get over it" (whatever "it" may be) with more grace and less anger/tears/sulking. In 2013, I'm going to do a better job of keeping myself happy... because being happy is a pretty awesome way to be.

And just in case that was way too existential and preachy for your taste... here are my other 2013 goals (put in writing and shared with all of you for extra accountability!)

1) Finish last year's goal. Also, learn Spanish.

Last year my goals were to start a blog and fundraise enough money to build a school in Africa. Check and no check (if we're keeping score:) This year I'd like to finish last year's project (learn more about my school in Mwangaza HERE) and begin learning Spanish. I look forward to being a bilingual, school building, blogger in 2014.

2) Wellness (aka, eat less woman!)

This year instead of picking a weight I want to be, I'm going to focus on the weight I don't want to be. I've spent the past several months above my magic number of self-loathing so for 2013, I vow to get below the number and STAY below the number, all. year. long. 

3) Climb another rung on my personal career ladder

I like to keep lawyer-meri off the blog, but she's got some 2013 goals as well. I resolve to make growth of my career a priority this year.

p.s. - This a GREAT documentary on being Happy which I'd highly recommend.