Instead of someday – why not today?

If you are like me you probably have a list of things you would love to do someday.  Not quite a bucket list, but that unofficial list of things you hope to do or achieve. 

·      I have always wanted to learn piano. When I was younger, my mom said I had piano fingers.  

·      I have been meaning to work on scrapbooking  (the last page I did when my youngest was four and she is now 24, so it’s been awhile). 

·      I would really love to do more kayaking and maybe even take a class to learn more skills.

·      I want to scan and organize all of our old family photos.  I have boxes of photos to go through.

In the business of life I get very busy and often distracted, and it seems as if there is little time to do the things I have on my list and that doesn’t even begin to cover the extremely long list of all the places I want to go and visit. 

I know, I know, there is only so much time and money and trying to keep up with work and home responsibilities makes it hard to even consider some of those ‘someday’ items on your list but that’s the whole point.  I don’t want to wake up someday too old to do the things I want and regretting the fact that I didn’t make the time when I could have enjoyed them. 

That’s why I have decided that traveling vicariously through my friends on Facebook is not enough.   Starting today I am setting daily, weekly and monthly goals to get going on my list.  I will commit to skipping bad TV re-runs and instead choose to organize photos at least one day a week. 

I am making plans to visit Iceland with one of my good friends this fall.

I may not get it all done right away but I am no longer just waiting for someday. 

I Love NPR

I have been listening to NPR a lot lately.  NPR or National Public Radio is such a great way to spend your time during your daily commute to work. 

I love how varied the stories are and the unique perspectives.  I have been learning so much about so many topics, whether it’s a new book, politics, history, science, etc., there is literally something for everyone. 

A few weeks ago I learned about fruit companies that cross the border each day and the struggles that new legislation brings to their business.  Next I learned that some people are actually renting new tires for their car instead of buying them.  Then I listened to a young woman who is trying to recreate all of the wonderful Greek food that her grandmother made when she grew up.  Each day there is something completely new and different.  Listening to NPR always leaves me thinking hmmm I didn’t know that or wow that was so interesting. 

NPR is officially described as “an American privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States.”  Their shows include the very popular Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Fresh Air, and Here and Now. 

One of the great things about NPR is that their shows are also released as podcasts so you can listen at your convenience. 

If you haven’t listened to NPR, or if its been awhile, I encourage you to switch your radio dial and broaden your horizons.  You will be glad you did-I promise.