LIFE'S TO DO LIST

Finish what you start. Learn to say no. Make lists. Cry. Laugh. Be open to the possibility of speaking to every stranger. Love. Only this. Write without Internet access. Be present. Maintain the relationships that you have built with mentors, students, and friends. Don’t let money stop you. Save. Pay yourself first. Death is inevitable. Come to grips. Move on. Dwelling on the impossible has put up an invisible shield around your heart. [...] Breathe. Exercise. Take initiative. Say what you mean. Mean what you say. Hug more people. Bitch when you need to and then take action. Just talking never got anything done. Drink more … water. Stop being lazy. Relearn the joy of cooking. Look everyone in the eye. Read more articles, books, plays … anything you can get your hands on. Sing more. [...] Find new meaning in the old things. Find your box. Make a decision. Go it alone. But ask for company. Cherish the wonders of sleeping. Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. Think before you speak. Make a new friend. Budget your money. Manage your time. You don’t know everything. Consider all points of view. It’s OK to question everything. Break rules. Continue to honor your belief in the Creator. Listen to others. Give advice when asked. Don’t pretend to have all the answers. Perfect your skills. Take a sewing class. Try anything new. Or at least consider it as a viable option. Live your life. Be your best self. Facilitate opportunities for others to become their best selves. Some things are best kept to yourself but ask for help when you need it. Greece. Ghana. Japan. Prague. Canada. Argentina. Guyana. Australia. Jamaica. Haiti. France. Germany. Go everywhere. Train yourself to be detail-oriented, not detail-obsessed. Be your own boss. Collaborate. Delegate. See more old movies. Go to art museums, galleries, exhibits, and openings. Try marriage. Try children. Grow. Take care of your body. It’s the only one you’ve got. Free yourself. Understand that not everyone can be as fabulous as you. Listen to more music. Expand your library. Use your library card. Expand your box. Dance when nobody’s watching. Dance when everyone’s watching. Don’t worry about what people think. Just be who you are. Don’t stress out. Be welcoming to everyone. Consider others feelings before you act. Get that tattoo because it’s rare that you can find something to have great power and meaning in your life. Know what you want. Go after it. Check yourself. Remain in balance. Meditate. Pray. Wake up. Pay attention. Use your imagination. Draw. Change what you don’t like about yourself. Don’t try to change what you are. It is impossible. Yes, there are millions of ways to die. Just live. Share your passions. To have them is indeed a gift. Allow your gut to guide you sometimes, not all the time. Touch soft things. See beautiful things. Smell good scents. Hear wonderful sounds. Speak loving words. Consider yourself loved. Consider yourself beautiful. Consider yourself to be meaningful to others. Serve others. Allow yourself to be served. Don’t be afraid to eat alone. Do everything that you do with grace, class, and dignity. Admit when you are wrong. Don’t go to great lengths to prove you are right it is unnecessary. Truth always comes out. Give fully of yourself. Come with immense amounts of energy. Be quiet sometimes. Don’t sit on your creativity. Let it breathe. Get excited about life. It might be the only one you have.