(”Mint Flavor!”; courtesy of Marcela P.)
1. Go star gazing. Begin by sensing the vastness of space. Then look for some of the major constellations; try finding these: the Big Dipper, Pegasus, and Orion. Also, look for the North Star.
2. Learn to do the Hula Hoop. (This idea was inspired by a comment on a previous post left by Lance).
3. Reconstruct your family tree.
- Gather and organize key information about yourself and your relatives.
- Interview living relatives.
- Hunt down your ancestors’ legal documents, photos, and personal effects.
- Tell the story of your family’s history.
4. Fill a basket with everything a new-born baby needs and drop it off at a nearby hospital for a woman of low income who just gave birth.
5. It’s the first week of September, time to start thinking about your Halloween costume. Visit the Halloween Blog for ideas.
6. Make waffles with lots of syrup, whipped cream, and a cherry on top.
7. Have a margarita. Also consider getting tortilla chips and salsa; and maybe some re-fried beans and guacamole.
8. Grow a wagon wheel herb garden. Place the wagon wheel where you would like your garden to be located. Choose seven herbs, one for each section of the wheel. Research the different types of herbs and coordinate the colors appropriately. Plant your herbs, and voilá.
9. Give yourself a hand massage. Here are the instructions:
- Use your favorite hand lotion.
- With one hand to stroke the back of the other hand firmly, pushing toward the wrist and back again gently.
- Squeeze the whole hand between the palm and fingers of the other.
- Squeeze each finger and massage each joint with the circular motion of your thumb.
- Grasp each finger at the end near your wrist and pull it gently to stretch it.
- Turn the wrist in a circular motion in one direction, and then the other.
- Repeat with the other hand.
10. Find George Carlin videos on YouTube. Here’s a great one to get you started: George Carlin Talks About “Stuff”.
11. Plan your fantasy vacation. Do online research, cut out pictures from magazines, collect brochures from travel agencies, and plan your vacation to the last detail. Don’t censor yourself by thinking about the cost or when you’ll have the time to go. To paraphrase Goethe, first you move and then Providence moves too.
12. Ask a child below the age of 10—your own, a nephew or niece, or a small neighbor—what they’re grateful for. By doing this you’ll teach them to start thinking along the lines of feeling gratitude. Get them this book: Grateful: A Song of Giving Thanks
13. Drink freshly roasted coffee. Roasted coffee beans are partially stale after 2 weeks, and the pound of coffee you bought at the grocery store or at your local Starbucks was probably roasted weeks or even months ago. In addition, ground coffee has lost much of it’s flavor 20 minutes after grinding. To order freshly roasted coffee over the internet, go here.
14. Start putting together your Christmas list, both what you plan to give others and what you would like to receive.
15. Go to a body of water near your home and skip rocks.
16. Get a yo-yo. Learn the “Walk-the-Dog” trick and the “Drop in the Bucket” trick.
17. Invite your friends over for a night of board games, cards, and charades.
18. Listen to an audio books and learn something new. A great place to find audio books is audible.com.
19. Get yourself a big book of sudokus or crossword puzzles and sit back for an afternoon of fun mind stimulation.
20. Go out and play Frisbee with a friend. If you have a dog, better yet.
21. Hang a dart board and start practicing your aim.
22. Create a prank kit. Make sure it contains all of the following: magic ink, a hand buzzer, a snake in a can, a whoopee cushion, a squirt gun, and a dribble glass.
23. Make a decorative memo board: display photos, favorite quotes, leaves you find along your walks, to-do lists, and so on.
24. Begin writing your personal memoir.
25. Read my post, 50 Ways to Celebrate Life Every Day.
Coming soon to “Abundance Blog at Marelisa Online”:
- 2o Ways to Raise Your IQ
- How to Create a Business Plan for Your Blog
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{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
Bamboo Forest 09.03.08 at 3:30 am
A lot of these sound really fun.
Your household must be a blast!
The coffee one sounds interesting. Even though I’m much of a teaman, I do enjoy a good cup of coffee once in a while.
“freshly roasted coffee” I can already smell it.
Bamboo Forests last blog post..7 Sounds That Make You Want to Gouge Your Eyes Out
Lance 09.03.08 at 4:30 am
These are some really creative ways to celebrate life! I played frisbee a few days ago with one of my kids. It had been a long time, but it sure was fun! We played until it got dark. What I really like, Marelisa, is how you put a list together that is both “fun” and “soul connecting”. By that I mean that is that if I were to do all of these on your list I would have lots of fun, but I would also finish off feeling a better sense of understanding who I am.
Thanks for including me in your list! Now…I’ve got to really get busy with that hula hoop (that should keep me busy for quite a while)!
Lances last blog post..Stimulate Creativity
Al at 7P 09.03.08 at 6:59 am
These are some pretty fun things on your list, Mare. First one on the list is something I haven’t done since I was a kid, and it’d be awesome to do again (that’s kinda true for a lot on the list… you’re a kid at heart, aren’t you?
).
Planning for Halloween and Christmas… yeah, it is good timing now that Labor Day passed, isn’t it? This is good planning, which makes me look forward to your post on the “blog business plan.”
Hunter Nuttall 09.03.08 at 9:57 am
I always look for Orion when I’m outside at night - it’s almost a reflex. I like the dippers too, but I’m not sure which is which!
I like the “coming soon” preview at the end. Are you “building anticipation,” as Darren would say? Anyway, I’m looking forward to those posts!
Hunter Nuttalls last blog post..Akashic Record Reading With Akemi Gaines, Part 2
Mare 09.03.08 at 10:18 am
@Bamboo: I try
@Lance: You know, doing the hula hoop is something that I’ve always wanted to learn to do, but no matter how fast I try moving my hips, the hula hoop won’t stay up. I wonder if there are any hula hoop experts in Panama . . .
@Al: Last year I was a devil, this year, I’ve already started to think about it but haven’t settled on anything yet
@Hunter: Yeah, I want to make my blog stickier and I came across that post by Darren
Vered - MomGrind 09.03.08 at 12:19 pm
Fabulous!
Let’s see…
Waffles - check. Once a week on Sunday.
Coffee - check.
A dart board - check - right in my home office.
Frisbee - every time we take the kids to the park.
Asking the kids what are they grateful for? Every night at bedtime.
Will look into the rest and see what I can adopt. Many of these ideas are really cool.
I LOVE the “coming soon” at the end of the post. It’s a great way to encourage people to come back. May I borrow this idea?
Writer Dad 09.03.08 at 12:24 pm
Number seven whoo-hoo.
We live in a largely hispanic neighborhood, and the corner grocer has crazy cheap avocados. Last week, seven for a dollar. Daisy buys them by the bushel and makes guacamole loaf; mexican lemonade on the side.
This works. I celebrate life instantly.
Writer Dads last blog post..Wiped Out and Ready For More
Bamboo Forest 09.03.08 at 12:41 pm
I second Vered’s sentiment about the “coming soon.”
That is really cool.
Bamboo Forests last blog post..7 Sounds That Make You Want to Gouge Your Eyes Out
Mare 09.03.08 at 2:09 pm
@Vered: It sounds like your home is a lot of fun too
Yes, you can borrow the “coming soon” feature.
@Writer Dad: Seven avocados for a dollar?! Wow. You should definitely take advantage of that. And margaritas put me in a really good mood too
@Bamboo: Thank you Bamboo, you can use it too.
Chris 09.03.08 at 2:38 pm
I gotta dust off my yo-yo and number 25 is just pure marketing genius…
Chriss last blog post..When It Rains…Part 6
Cath Lawson 09.03.08 at 3:16 pm
Hi Mare - that’s some size bubble. I love some of these ideas. It’s cheered me up just thinking about trying some - especially the waffles!
The vacation one sounds really inspiring. When I emigrate, there’s so many cool places I’d love to visit and there’s no harm in planning in advance is there?
Cath Lawsons last blog post..Why Viral Marketing May Not Work For You
Mare 09.03.08 at 6:15 pm
@Chris: I’m going to go get a yo-yo at the pharmacy. Thanks, I’m pretty pleased with myself
@Cath: I’m totally craving waffles right now!
Mare 09.03.08 at 8:52 pm
Hi Rita: I’m glad you enjoyed the list
Evelyn Lim 09.04.08 at 12:38 am
You sure have a list of fun things to do here!! I like the arty idea - tip#11. Planning my vacation creatively sounds like something I can do on a lazy Sunday afternoon with my kids!
Evelyn Lims last blog post..25 Ways To Nurture Your Soul
Barbara Swafford 09.04.08 at 1:52 am
Hi Marelisa,
I love #13 - freshly brewed coffee. Yum!
Star gazing a great. We have an observatory in the area and there’s nothing more awesome than seeing the stars through one of the huge telescopes.
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..Removing The Blinders And Growing
Karl Staib - Your Work Happiness Matters 09.04.08 at 8:01 am
I love #4 - Create a baby basket. What a great way to give to someone without just handing over money. Every new mom would appreciate diapers, toys, and baby clothing.
I also loved #10 George Carlin will be missed.
I think #26 should be Plant a tree. The circle of life needs to keep rotating and what better way to give back than a tree.
Robin 09.04.08 at 8:09 am
Hi there Mare - I love doing small things to celebrate life. Frank and I like to sit in the front veranda as it gets dark and watch the bats fly over (fruit bats), the possums on the wires, the cars, buses, neighbours (we live on a main road) - and the moon and planets in the west.
Robins last blog post..Think And It Shall Be So
Mare 09.04.08 at 9:57 am
@Evelyn: Sometimes my dream vacation is one of those islands with a 7 star hotel and spa where celebrities go to get away from it all. Sometimes it’s sky diving. Maybe I’ll do both
@Barbara: I haven’t been to an observatory in a long time. Gotta go .. . just made coffee
Mare 09.04.08 at 10:03 am
@Karl: Planting a tree is a great idea.
@Robin: Fruit bats??? I’d be running back into the house if I saw one of those
Possum-watching sounds like fun though.
Tom Volkar / Delightful Work 09.04.08 at 11:09 am
Wow Marelisa you truly delivered on this one. I celebrated by listening to George Carlin explain the distinction between shit and stuff and I’m still laughing. Thank you!
Ellen Wilson 09.04.08 at 1:03 pm
Mare,
I love board games and charades! Excellent ideas here. Now I know where to go if I’m stumped for something to do.
Looking forward to your “how to create a business plan for your blog.”
Mare 09.04.08 at 3:16 pm
@Tom: Glad you enjoyed it Tom, and George Carlin’s routines are awesome.
@Ellen: I used to have a ton of board games but I’ve moved around so much that my collection has seriously dwindled. I have to get started again.
NaTuRaL 09.04.08 at 5:11 pm
no 4 is a good idea. i created coupons as a baby gift (mostly baby sitting coupons). new moms and dads need a break and its a great way to really help someone that doesn’t involve cluttering up their home.
Mare 09.04.08 at 5:15 pm
@Natural: Baby-sitting coupons, that’s a great idea Natural.
kannan viswagandhi 09.06.08 at 5:47 pm
Hi Marelisa,
Nice list to celebrate life.
we are living only once and a short time,we are wasting on stressful life on 9-5 routine which we don’t like,it is great to enjoy,relax and celebrate.
Thanks for sharing.
Best wishes,
kannan viswagandhi
http//www.growing-self.blogspot.com
Mare 09.06.08 at 9:23 pm
Hi Kannan: I definitely agree we need to enjoy life! I’m glad you liked the list
Misty Gibbs 09.09.08 at 6:30 pm
I love this list! I recently joined a stand-up paddle club so my step towards enjoying the water more
Keep all your inspirations coming! I include them on my site - myinspirationlounge.com - a new women’s online portal to useful, inspiring websites and articles.
I link to you on the following pages:
http://www.myinspirationlounge.com/recommendations/nourish-mind-body.html
http://www.myinspirationlounge.com/recommendations/connect-and-learn.html
Enjoy!
Mare 09.09.08 at 7:02 pm
Hi Misty, I’m glad that you liked the list and thank you for linking to me. I visited your site and as I said to you in the comment I left for you there, your site literally radiates positive energy
Misty Gibbs 09.10.08 at 2:48 pm
Thank you:) Where did you post your comment? I usually get an email but didn’t see one come through. Just asking since I am still working through bugs:)
Mare 09.10.08 at 3:36 pm
Hi Misty: It was in the post “Put Ourselves Forward” right underneath the comment that says: “Misty, You rock! Liane Randolph hooked me up to you… thanks so much! Our children attend the same school. What a lovely website.” But my comment is not there, I guess your blog swallowed it