Aim for the sky and you will reach the clouds is a popular saying. But what remains unsaid in the saying is that between the ‘aiming’ and the ‘reaching’ there is a lot of ‘working for it’. My bucket list for this year involves such ‘work for it’ goals.
1. Fitness goals
Aim for the sky – Ride a bullet to Leh-Ladakh
Reach the clouds - Learn to ride a bullet vehicle
Goal – Get fit enough to handle a bullet
I have been very careless with my fitness – never motivated to exercise, never wanting to work out, always using the elevator/escalator and never attempting to walk close distances. From being a medal-winning athlete in college 15 years ago to not being able to climb four flights of stairs now - it's been a downhill journey. This year I want to change this part of my story. I want to get fit, be able to climb stairs, get back to walking and at least attempt to learn to ride a bullet. Wanting to ride a bullet is every tomboy’s dream I suppose. That bike is heavy and I need to get fit enough to handle one. I want to work towards this dream.
2. Family goals
Aim for the sky - one family get-together/picnic per month
Reach the clouds – at least one online family meet per month
Goal – spend more time with extended family
One lesson this pandemic has taught all of us is the importance of family and friends. So many of us have lost loved ones to Covid-19 – one day they were with us and the next day they were gone. In our fast-paced life, some of us have failed to maintain relationships with extended family. I am guilty of this especially with those senior members in my family who have been staying alone, managing to live with their medical conditions and longing to talk to someone. This year I want to make efforts to re-connect with them. It is possible to meet online once a month. It is the only feasible meeting possible as most families in this era are scattered across the world. It is also possible to have one nuclear family picnic per month. Yes, this year I want to spend more time with my family!
3. Priority goals
Aim for the sky - Read all the unread books in my personal library
Reach the clouds - At least read the three books glaring at me from the front of the bookshelf
Goal – Make time for my favourite hobby
I love reading and this has been my favourite pastime since childhood. In the last two years, I have bought more books than I have been reading. And now I have at least seven unread books in my bookshelf threatening me – "pick-us-up-or-we'll-vanish"! It's been a fight against time lately with most of us working from home and trying to play the roles of homemaker, maid, cook, gardener, and juggling online classes for the kids. Though the situation doesn’t seem to be any better right now, I am hopeful that things will change. This year I want to make time for what I love to do and read some of those unread books. The three books that I have my heart set on are – Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges, India: A Million Mutinies Now by V.S. Naipaul and Speeches (a collection of 50 speeches by famous personalities in the world).
4. Healthy eating goals
Aim for the sky – Eat every fruit, vegetable and Indian ingredient in the healthiest way possible
Reach the clouds – Find healthy ways of cooking vegetables like bottle gourd, bitter gourd and okra.
Goal – Eat healthy nutritious yet yummy meals 5 times a week
This is the other thing I love—food—and anything related to it – eating, cooking, ordering, shopping for ingredients, experimenting with old and new recipes, trying different cuisines and overeating too! The usual way of cooking food in India involves a lot of oil and spices. This year I want to find new ways of cooking regular vegetables with the goal of eating nutritious meals at least 5 times a week. I want my children to develop healthy eating habits and it is never too late to start!
You see how this year’s bucket list involves ‘working for it’. It’s hardly a bucket list but this is what it is.
All the best to me!
Photo by Ronnie Overgoor on Unsplash
Wow!!! Such a great read!!! You are the best in every sphere ma'am. Really inspiring! Blessed to have been taught by You.
Immediately my goals seemed reachable and attainable, much thanks for the share. Thank you Debbie di!! 🙂