The Power of Decision-Making

Since deciding, really deciding, to live next year as if it's my last, twelve people have already committed to doing this with me, and there's a buzz about what each of us might do differently.

One thing we'll all be doing is creating a "bucket list". I hate that term so I hope we'll come up with a new one. Whatever we call it, we'll each create a list of the things we'd really like to do before we die. Then we'll narrow it down to the most important ones. I've been giving my list some thought, and realized that if it was just me doing this experiment, it might be rather boring to witness. I tend to live my life pretty fully already, and I'm very happy with how my life is unfolding.

I've made lists previously of things I want to do - skydive, make a gourmet meal from scratch, become a certified yoga instructor, live in a spanish speaking country, make love on the beach under a full moon and more. I've manage to achieve most of those things. So, at 45 what do I really really want to do.

I've started my new list so far it's simple: I would like to swim in the wild with dolphins, return to Vancouver to go to Illuminaries and the Folk Music Festival, but mostly I want to spend more time with the people I love. I want to go to Toronto for several weeks to just be hang out with my parents, brother's family, cousins and friends. I want my nephews to come to Santa Monica and stay with my husband and I so I can take them surfing, hang out on the pier, eat ice cream and go for bike rides. I want to visit my friend Nancy, her husband and my beautiful god-daughter Faith, in a place where no one is working and we can just play.

After deciding to do this experiment and working on my list, some interesting things happened. Nancy invited me to spend time with her family in Hawaii, where I've heard people have swum with dolphins. Accepting her invitation would provide me with two of the experiences I want most. Then, my sister in-law emailed me to see what time of year would work to have our nephews come visit. She's going to put them on a plane and send them down. I danced around the house like a fool when I got the news. I've been wanting my nephews to come visit us for years, but it's never happened - until now.

Today my brother told me that his wife Vera, (mother of the two boys who will be visiting this summer),has booked a trip to Ottawa this winter to skate on the Rideau Canal. It's not a big thing, but it's something she's always wanted to do and since she's also committed to living next year as if it's her last, she's already making things happen.

People have told me they're scared, they're excited, they want to recruit friends. They are asking me lots of questions. I don't have the experiment all figured out. That's why it's an experiment. I believe it will unfold throughout the year. But the year hasn't even begun and I'm uplifted by all of the energy. When we started Bcelebrated we really didn't know where it would take us. I certainly didn't imagine this. But it's going to be interesting and I hope you'll join us.

To join this experiment, email me and let me know you want to commit to next year being A YEAR TO LIVE.
Debra@Bcelebrated.com