Things to Do Before I Die, Living To-Do, the Dream List - Whatever you call it, we invite you to post your list, suggest things for others to do, and most importantly, have fun living to do!

Make a Quirky Resolution

By sarajean on 12/27/09 2:41pm
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While it’s commendable to resolve to quit smoking, lose weight, and generally make yourself more fit, why not add a quirky, fun resolution to your list this year? Maybe you’ll be more likely to keep your resolutions if one of them is something that you actually look forward to. Here are a few ideas—be sure to add your own.

Make a daily resolution. I heard about a family resolving to take a photo together every day for the year; with digital cameras, this is definitely doable if you can remember to do it! What other daily resolutions would you enjoy? How about a daily joke, walk, small piece of chocolate, song download, mini self-foot massage, prayer or meditation, game…? The trick here is to not make too many resolutions; just pick one or two that you would really enjoy.

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Deface Something

By sarajean on 11/21/09 3:03am
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Sometimes you just have to deface something.

What I’m talking about here is the legal destruction of something on your own terms, for your own artistic benefit (or outlet)—not, say, spray painting an overpass, as a redneck might do, to declare your love or defend your sister’s honor.

For example, we recently purchased a box of facial tissues that was way too “pretty.” I like pretty things—new books, lilies, a clean house—but this was just nauseating. It was a white box with very delicate-looking roses and whatnot on the side, resembling something in an eighty-year-old woman’s house. All that was missing was maybe a doily and a fat old cat.

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Countries are robbing us blind under are eyes

By Anonymous on 11/13/09 9:13pm
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Do you realize that Russia, South America, and hundreds more are running scam networks all over our country, under our nose, on the internet. They are taking advantage of our poor and elderly, and are taking all of their extra money. Not to mention, some of us who are working. Luckily, I found out they were a scam, and deleted them. Their are so many ways that they are draining our country dry, to many to even mention. I believe that is the way they expect to kill the US goverment, is to break it. Without money, we have no defense. When we are broke, they are going to attack. We need to strenghthen ourselves by not buying foreign goods, refusing to buy foreign goods, and be more proactive as to what we sign up for on the internet. Insure it is not from a foreign country. Buy US stuff only and strenghthen America. Thats what our forefathers fought hard for, and we are giving it away. Be smart, Be wise, and be an American, and put a stop to all of this.

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National Novel Writing Month

By sarajean on 10/31/09 8:19am
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Writing a novel is on the Living To Do list of many people, but it can be a pretty intimidating activity. Writing definitely takes time, and while some people can put out a novel a month, most writers take longer to produce a work of that length.

That said, it’s definitely a doable task; and what better time to accomplish this goal than during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)? This approach to novel writing allows participants to worry about nothing but word count. Grammar, quality, plot—none of that matters during NaNoWriMo. The only thing that does matter is your output.

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Have Your Dream...Funeral?

By sarajean on 10/28/09 7:29am
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As morbid as it sounds, planning for your own death is pretty important. Not planning the death itself, of course, unless you’re really morbid. And in that case, be sure to see a doctor.

You definitely want to have your last will and testament prepared. Be sure to declare who gets what—especially if you’ve got squabbling cousins after your antique corncob pipe rumored to have been used by some famous country singer or whatever. Make sure to designate a guardian for any children or pets as well—which, of course, you’ll probably want to ask the potential guardian about beforehand too, unless you’re Kate Hudson’s sister.

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Add Some Novelty to Your Life

By sarajean on 10/27/09 3:01pm
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This one might be harder to implement that you think. Most of us develop some sort of pattern—daily habits, or a rhythm—in our lives that’s hard to break. Such things can be very good for you, of course; making healthy meals, exercise, bedtimes and other rituals a part of your day is definitely optimal for a healthy body and mind. But too many mundane, same old, same old activities can not only cause you to get bored—they can also cause some health problems on their own.

Science says that adding a bit of variety or novelty to your routine can help prevent Alzheimer’s. Whether you do something new—such as learn something new, take up a class, or attend a lecture or play—or engage your brain with a novel activity such as a game or a book, you’re helping your brain stay active.

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Sleep in a Haunted Place

By sarajean on 10/15/09 8:06am
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Winchester Mystery HouseWinchester Mystery House

In 2007, I was able to check off two items from my Living To Do List. I went on my honeymoon—and stayed the night in a haunted house. My husband and I had a lot of fun at the Lemp Mansion of St. Louis, which was gorgeous and spooky—but if I hadn’t known it was supposed to be haunted, I have to admit, it wouldn’t have really been so spooky.

I did have a hard time sleeping, because I sort of wanted to see something out of the ordinary—I had heard plenty of tales from friends and acquaintances, after all, and wanted one of my own. Though I didn’t see anything supernatural during our visit, it was still pretty awesome to stay there just because of its beauty, the garden outside, and the delicious breakfast served there.

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Face a Fear

By sarajean on 10/13/09 8:41am
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If you’ve seen the mediocre children’s film Space Chimps, you might have smiled (or yawned) over the scene where the little alien girl, Kilowatt, tries to stifle her glowing head—which is brightest when she is scared—in the presence of a gooey fat green monster, muttering, “Control your fear. Control your fear.”

Luckily for us, we don’t glow when we’re scared. (We usually do that when we’re pregnant, or after we orgasm.) But that doesn’t mean that we don’t feel like our fear is on display for all to see. Not only is it frustrating to have a strong fear that prevents you from certain activities, it’s also embarrassing to admit it to friends and family.

Some of us laugh when we’re fearful; that’s my own modus operandi. But others cry when afraid. These and other symptoms are not necessarily pleasant, particularly in the face of other people.

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Replicate Yourself

By sarajean on 10/12/09 8:56pm
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Making another you just might be on your priority list—or, in this case, your Living To Do List—sometime or another in your lifetime. Hopefully you don’t want him or her to be exactly like you—not only would your flaws be replicated, but it would also probably be pretty boring (no offense). The route most people to take in making their own Mini Me is a pretty direct one: they have sex, get pregnant, and produce an infant. No big mystery there.

But if you really want to have a child and the how’s don’t matter so much to you as much as the child itself, there are plenty of other ways to acquire one. Just make sure you do so legally and ethically; kidnapping, cloning and buying babies may not be smiled upon where you are from.

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Laugh Every Day

By sarajean on 10/4/09 9:51am
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If there’s something that everyone should definitely have listed on their Living To-Do List, it’s laugh every day. Not only is laughing plain fun, it also comes with a host of other benefits. It turns out that Patch Adams was really onto something. Laughter…

  • Reduces stress
  • Strengthens the immune system
  • Increases the threshold for pain
  • Reduces food cravings
  • Provides relaxation
  • Exercises the belly and heart
  • Dissipates guilt and anger
  • Provides a social connection with others
  • Provides a physical release

…all for free! Who couldn’t use more laughter in their lives? To specifically add more laughs to your life, try one of these ideas—or post your own.

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