Making sense of it all

I have the best friends...everyone has been SO supportive of this "Forty for 40" idea, which makes it that much more fun for me (not to mention, holds me more accountable to accomplish everything, knowing others are watching!)

While the significance of many of the 40 things on my list are self-explanatory (lose 40 lbs, faster run times, etc.) some may seem a little strange to anyone but me (which, of course, is part of the point--this is a challenge for myself, a list of things of personal significance). Still, in case you're curious, I thought I'd explain a few of them (this will also help me remember when I say, "What was I thinking?" later on...)

Go with my mom to the cemetery on Memorial Day
Every year, my mom goes to the cemeteries in her home town to put flowers on the gravestones of our long-passed family. Some--my grandparents--I remember, but many others I never knew, though I've heard stories over the years so their names are familiar. I want to share in this special tradition, so I can carry it on for my mom when the time comes (hopefully MANY years in the future).

Knit a pair of socks as a gift for someone special
Even though I knit all the time, I rarely make things for other people. In thinking about it, I realize I get too attached to my work--I don't want to let it go. I read somewhere that handmade socks are the ultimate gift of love---you work painstakingly on something that will, inevitably, wear out over time. Making a pair of socks for someone I love (will YOU be the lucky recipient?) and being able to let go has some symbolic appeal for me.

You can see there are a few other items in the "letting go" category (decluttering my home, giving away something of sentimental value, giving up TV for 40 days). I want to start my 40s unburdened of emotional and physical baggage.

Have portrait photographs taken of me
This one, ironically, will be one of the hardest ones for me to do. I hate having my picture taken because I always see my flaws--so the challenge is to see myself as I am without being overly critical. If I can pull that one off, this entire exercise will have been a success!

Curious about any of the other things on my list? Let me know and I'll do my best to explain. Thanks again to everyone who's shared an encouraging word, or passed along a book or music. It means more to me than you can imagine.

Play Along!

If you're reading this and are, for whatever reason, interested in getting involved in my Forty for 40 challenge in some way, here are some suggestions:

1) Suggest a song/artist for me to add to my "Ff40" soundtrack. If it's not '80s or U2, chances are it's NOT in my iPod right now.

2) Make a donation of either $15 or $40 to the Ronald McDonald House of Portland (it's their 15th birthday in 2010). You can go to rmhportland.org to make a donation, or mail it to 250 Brackett Street, Portland, ME 04102. Please note "JenDimond" in the Code section online or on the memo line on your check--I have a goal of personally raising $1000 for RMH this year so this will help me keep track!

3) If you live near me and you own any of the books on my reading list, I'd love to borrow it from you. If it's a favorite of yours, let me know why you love it.

4) Post a comment here to let me know what you think of this challenge...whether you want to cheer me on or tell me I'm nuts!

5) Perform a random act of kindness, or tell someone how important they are to you. It makes a difference--for them and for you.

Ready or not...

I have finally completed my "Forty for 40" list (thank you to my friends who provided input and ideas to help me round out the list, and who convinced me to be realistic about a couple of items, like walking 40 miles every single week in 2010!)

I have to admit, now that the official start is so close (less than 4 days!) I'm a little nervous. Have I taken on more than I can handle? Can I keep my enthusiasm after the first few days or weeks? Will I really be able to do everything on the list?

At the same time, I'm excited. What if I DO manage to do everything on my list? How amazing is that going to feel?

Thank you so much to everyone who has weighed in so far--I appreciate your support! Once I have officially started Forty for 40 on Friday, I will be posting more frequently on this blog to keep you updated.

Happy new year, all!

Making my list...

I've told a handful of people about my Forty for 40 idea, and the reactions have been interesting. I'm not sure that anyone understands that this is not a life list of "40 things I feel like I should have accomplished by now" or "40 things to do before I die". Nor is it a list of stuff I just need to get done next year--things I would have or should have been doing anyway. I'm judging this by the types of things people are telling me are on THEIR lists, were they to make a list. I don't really mind--first of all, I appreciate that people seem to be responding positively (and very supportively-- I'm so grateful for that). Secondly, it reinforces that this is my idea for ME, and for no one else. The things on my list are not, for the most part, monumental "bucket list" sorts of things you do once in a lifetime and check off. At the same time, most of the things I've included will take real focus and commitment on my part to complete. I found, in particular, that adding the element of 40 creates a special challenge that is part of the point, for me. For example--saying I'm going to walk or run every week is not innately list-worthy, but quantifying "40 miles per week" means something. That's a lot of walking or running. It means I'll have to average more than 5 miles per day. Something I'm totally capable of, but have never done. Something that will, at the end of the year, feel like an ACCOMPLISHMENT...but will also, I hope, become part of my lifestyle well beyond my 40th year.

I don't mind that this whole idea doesn't necessarily make sense to everyone. Even though I would love to think that this undertaking can inspire someone else along the way, that's not why I'm doing it. Nor am I doing it so I can write a book at the end--though I'd be lying if I hadn't thought that would be a wonderful outcome. I'm doing it for me, and me alone. I'm doing it to celebrate my gratitude for the many, many ways I have been blessed--good health, good friends, good heart--and to simultaneously push myself to do things that seem improbable, if not impossible.

Most of all, I want to finish what I started--something I'm not particularly good at. I will finish making this list, and I will complete all the items on the list. That will be the very best gift I can give myself.

Embracing the inevitable

I've been thinking a lot over the past few months about what it means to me to be turning 40 in just a few months. I started out feeling good about it..."40's the new 30" and all that blah blah, fueled by my friends who assure me that their 40s have been fabulous. I thought, "Woo hoo...40 is going to be awesome...bring it on!"

Then I started thinking about all the things I haven't accomplished in my life that I should have done by now (shouldn't I?)...buying a house, getting married, having kids, finally reaching my goal weight and staying there, publishing a best-seller...and I had a minor freak-out.

Fortunately, the "shoulding on myself" (my favorite Sex and the City line) passed as soon as I realized what a ridiculous waste of time and energy it is to base my self-image on negative thoughts. I've come full circle to the idea of embracing my life as SO much more than a number, or a series of deadlines to be reached. Why not celebrate all that my life already is, and all that it can be?

So, I've come up with this crazy idea of creating a list of 40 things I want to do in 2010 to honor the things I'm already thankful for, improve the things that could be better, and pay forward the blessings I've been given in this wonderful life so far.

I'm still working on the list (it's posted over there in the sidebar), but I'm liking where it's going. Not everything has to be so serious or monumental (I'm NOT planning to jump out of an airplane, or climb Mt. Everest), but I want to make the most of this year and set some goals for myself that are a little daunting (if it were all easy stuff I'd do anyway, that wouldn't be any fun).

My first goal is to finalize the list by December 31 so I can start on January 1 (I thought about starting ON my birthday but I'm too excited to wait that long). I'll use this blog to post updates on how I'm progressing toward completing the list, if you care to follow along. And, if you've got a suggestion for something to add to the list, I'd love to hear it. (Again, I'm not jumping out of an airplane so don't go there!)