One of my favorite websites, Jezebel, has been very inspirational to me of late. For example, in this post, the editors disagree with Vogue editor, Plum Sykes, about what every woman needs by a certain age, which for Sykes seems to be rather arbitrarily, 38. Skyes claims that every woman needs: a husband, a child, and a dress with long sleeves. ooookay.
The editors then made their own lists of what women need by 38. this list included a wide variety of things, including but not limited to: health insurance and hand towels, travel and trust funds.
Commentors were then invited to share their own lists; responses were equally and wildly varied. Reading the comments, which numbered at last glance, over 219, inspired me to write my own list of things I want by age 38.
What I posted:
1. 5 more stamps in my passport
2. to be invested in young girls’ lives (not sure if this looks like mentor-ship or foster care or what…)
3. Financial peace
One to grow on:
4. thriving relationships with spouse and family
What I ended up with, and will be adding to..
Me by 38:
1. 5 more stamps in my passport (mission trips and/or international vacations)
2. to be involved in young girls’ lives (more so than any children I have): dunno what this looks like yet: foster care, mentorship
3. thriving relationship with husband, extended family
4. a vibrant, changing circle of friends
5. work I believe in
6. to be able to make significant financial contributions to charities/ministry
7. be healthful and active
Vain:
1. own an attractive house large enough for my family
2. own cars that are both pretty and economical
3. have good skin and hair
4. still have a rollicking sex life.
I’m not sure where children go on this list: I want them, but don’t feel like bearing children is an accomplishment to be checked off any sort of list; sure you can ‘plan’ for children (whatever THAT means), but should you ‘goalset’ for them? I dunno, I’m torn about that one.
All that to say, Life is an adventure, the Big Adventure as I like to call it, but along with having adventures and assorted amazing experiences, I want those experiences and adventures to culminate in being something significant. And for that significance to be joyfull.