I don't think I am a particularly hysterical or emotional person, but this still feels like a significant milestone. Like I should know myself and what to do with my life for example. All the normal stuff, you know, am I making a difference, am I spending my influence wisely, are my priorities straight, is my time being well spent, am I developing in the right direction (the waistline certainly is not)?
As usual I wrote a list (I know, it's an addiction - especially since discovering Wunderlist) of all the things I hope to achieve this year, and the projects I am involved in, the goals I need to achieve for the house, for church, my work projects, and I saw that I have a busy, interesting and, as usual, massively underpaid year ahead!
I also wrote my 6X6 (thankyou Bill Hybels) - which are my six priorities for the next six weeks (or half term more realistically).
All good.
But I don't want this year to pass in a whirlwind of work, volunteering, teenage diaries and chaos without feeling I had done something special. However, I don't have the funds for a trip to New York or Prague, and I really am not interested in climbing a mountain or cycling across the country.
So I decided to make the year more interesting, by including 40 different things. Some easy, some a bit more challenging, some free, some which might be a bit more financially dependent, some which will seem ridiculous to others who can easily do these things, but are significant to me.
And here they are. I want you to know, so you can check up on me to make sure I am making time in my life for them! And I will be writing each month to let you know how it's going - that's one of the #40things anyway!
1.
Eat at Wagamamas (no, I never have)
2.
Eat at Nandos (no, I never have)
3.
Have tea at the Savoy or somewhere equally lush
4.
Write a book
5.
Write a song
6.
Go Sailing
7.
Have a family picnic in the middle of nowhere
8.
Paint a picture
9.
Go to a London show
10.
Take Naomi and Izzy away overnight for a girly
trip
11.
Celebrate 20th Wedding Anniversary by
doing something special
12.
Go to the Cinema during the day on my own armed
with chocolate
13.
Write a poem with 40 public speaking tips in it
14.
Play the accordion in front of people (even if people laugh!)
15.
Start a family tree
16.
Put all the photos into albums
17.
Take up Photography
18.
Kayak along the Hamble
19.
See a live orchestra/band
20.
Fly in a hot air balloon (well, we will see....)
21.
Watch a series box set
22.
Lose at least ½ stone (OK, not a fun goal, but I will like the result)
23.
Go to an auction and bid
24.
Spend at least a day on retreat
25.
Bake a posh cake (seriously, I have never even tried)
26.
Cook a curry from scratch (ie - not from a jar!)
27.
Speak at a youth event
28.
Have a 40th birthday celebration
29.
Host/Present 2 training events
30.
Host a minimum of 4 pudding parties to get to
know people better
31.
Visit Wales at least 3 times
32.
Do something new for work/business/public
speaking
33.
Visit Brownsea Island
34.
Eat Mussels and Crepes in France (we're going anyway to speak there)
35.
Read 2 classic books, 2 Autobiographies, 2
faith-focused books, 2 self development books and 2 fiction books.
36.
Volunteer at something new
37.
Write 12 blog posts
38.
Build something amazing out of lego
39.
Visit a museum
40.
Go on a long walk
I must thank all the people on facebook and twitter who helped with suggestions and encouragement. I have, at almost 40 got the most incredible bunch of friends. I am very grateful for them all.
So here is to a fun-filled, fruitful and fulfilling fortieth year!
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