LIFE, ILLUMINATED

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Bonus Friday Post

by casscomerford • November 13th, 2009 • posted in Contest, Life List, NaBloPoMo

Last night I was falling to sleep and I was thinking that my list was missing something (well it’s missing lots but this one thing is pretty important).  My list is missing a catalyst – it is missing the ATM passcode to let some of these bigger dreams happen.  It’s missing a sponsor.  So I decided to dream this up:

Real Simple magazine contacts me and says ‘We want to watch and be a part of your list happening so we’re going to give you an online blog at Real Simple and a monthly column where you write about your life list and the value that it’s brought into your life.  We want the whole thing.  If you’re feeling down or not believing we want that – if you’re feeling high on life and possibilities we want that too.  We want other Real Simple readers to embrace the idea of a life list and we want to be THE magazine that gives people the inspiration and the know how to get there.’ And I say ‘YES’.  I don’t fret about it – I don’t worry about failing – I don’t make excuses for why I’m deserving or not deserving – I just graciously accept this awesome opportunity and I do everything I possibly can to make other peoples life lists happen along the way.  Because that’s what it’s all about – this living thing – you have to have a life, have dreams and be part of other peoples lives and dreams.

I have a question for you – do you  have a life list?  do you believe in dreams?  do you believe in YOUR dreams?

**To reward you for these hard questions I’m going to have a little contest – one random commenter will win a $50 Starbucks gift card to celebrate the Peppermint Mocha that I love (even when it’s Decaf ).  Winner will be picked on Monday morning at 10am EST – because making Monday better is on my list.**

Only one comment per person please :-)

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  • Joan Maness Hardin: November 13th, 2009 at 8:44am

    My dream is to lose 80 lbs. and to find a job, maybe a hubby.

  • Becca: November 13th, 2009 at 9:26am

    I don't necessarily have a "life" list. I just know that I want a family and husband to love and be loved by, a nice house that feels like a home, and the basics to get by. At this point I have all- (well not husband-I guess I will have to just ask him)of those things. My dreams really only include that list and what I can do to ensure that we are all happy and healthy. I believe in dreams- sadly, not mine. I mean I know people do things all the time they thought impossible but I think "not me". Its sad really because I WISH I had the feeling like I could do anything. I get feeling overwhelmed and then think "how am I ever going to accomplish this?" I get defeated before I even start. SO I guess I should focus on what I DO have and thankfully, I am.

  • Bessie.viola: November 13th, 2009 at 9:26am

    I have a partially-complete life list. One of my dreams is that it will NEVER be complete - I'll always be growing, changing, and adding to the list. My big dream - the one that scares me to speak it aloud - is that I will one day be a published novelist, one who helps people through her words. I believe in this dream. I am taking the steps to make it happen. Whether it comes true or not is almost irrelevant because it is the CHASE I love.

  • AndreAnna: November 13th, 2009 at 9:36am

    My dream is to one day have enough money in the bank that I'm not worried. Getting by just isn't enough anymore. I want to travel the world. I want to raise good people. I want that ice tea on the sun porch holding my husband's hand ending. Ok, let's face it, the tea is spiked, but still.

  • Connie: November 13th, 2009 at 9:38am

    I never had a list unti I took on the responsibility of my parents. My list started as taking care of my dad and grant him the wish of passing away at home. I worked and took care of him full time. Making sure all his needs were met. Now since dad is gone just 3 yrs. next on my list is taking care of Mom and doing the same for her. This time the list is longer because I have more responsibilities. I do believe in dreams. They help us to get through our daily lives. I want to believe in my dreams of having good health, financial freedom. I try to believe in one day my life will not be a struggle.

  • Kristin: November 13th, 2009 at 9:40am

    My dream is to spend some good, quality time with my husband. Not that fleeting "let's go have dinner and then do stuff for the kids" but a real vacation. Because after almost 20 years together (11 married) and 4 kids, I'd like to STILL be married to him when the kids move out and start their own lives. I'd like us to remember why the heck we fell in love in the first place.

  • Michelle Smiles: November 13th, 2009 at 11:02am

    I do believe in dreams. I used to have a life list of sorts...a list of goals and things that I was going to make happen. But I found that as I got older and life started to unfold, my focus on that list was constricting - I wasn't allowing things to unfold as they might naturally because I was trying to make my life conform to my goal list. If I had stuck to that, my life would be hugely different...and likely not so happy. Now I have a list in my head...and it is very short and very general and very flexible. I want to get my masters in social work (unless something more interesting presents itself) because my other masters is rather useless. I want to raise healthy, happy, smart children. I want to remain involved with my children even though I will return to work when they start school. My mom wasn't able to attend anything and I couldn't participate in anything because she wasn't available to drive me - I want to do that differently. I want to make sure my marriage remains a priority and doesn't get lost in carpooling and PTO. I want to make traveling a part of my life again when the girls get older - both for me and to expose them to the world. I don't want to forget me - I will not allow myself to lose the person that I am in taking care of others. That's it. General. Short. Flexible. Because that is what works for me.

  • Julie: November 13th, 2009 at 2:06pm

    My life list is mental, but I think I will write it down ... make it more real. Hopefully I will be more motivated to take action. Thanks!

  • Wendi: November 13th, 2009 at 2:39pm

    I definitely have a life list. It involves the quest for balance between family, career and self. So far I've only been able to satisfy one at a time. My dream is to have all 3 at once.

  • Anne: November 13th, 2009 at 2:41pm

    I guess I don't really have a life list of things I want to do or accomplish. There are things there, in the back of my head rolling around that I'd like to experience during my lifetime, but no formal list. However, there ARE three things that I've always said I really really want to do, and they are: 1. Go to a taping of Oprah (I accomplished this last October, AND I got to talk to Oprah!!) 2. Go to Hawaii. 3. Go on a ride-along in a police car.

  • Dee: November 13th, 2009 at 2:43pm

    I've never actually sat down and made a list, but I do have lots of dreams. My #1 right now is to be able to call myself a photographer. I'm trying to make that happen.

  • Lisa: November 13th, 2009 at 2:48pm

    I am a mom of 3. I am organized, like things to go smoothly. I have dreams of finsihing school ( i am in college now about 1/2 way done), buying a house, a better car, having money saved for my kids for college. I believe everyone has a right to dream and if you work hard it could come true!!!!

  • Lisa: November 13th, 2009 at 2:54pm

    I have a list- in my head somewhere. On this list is having the time to write this list down :) I am dreams...big ones and small ones and some really BIG ones.... LOVE your blog, BTW. My daughter Annie was born in August, right after Lexi, so I love reading about your little girl and seeing her beautiful pictures. Thank you for making me think about this!

  • Lisa: November 13th, 2009 at 2:58pm

    I have a life list- in my head! On this list is finding time to put my list down- on paper! I have dreams/goals. Right now one of the things I keep thinking a lot about is going back to school to get a PhD- but with two little ones, that is still many, many years away. I love your blog, BTW. My daughter, Annie, was born in august right after Lexi, so I love reading about your beautiful little girl and seeing your amazing pictures of her. Thanks for making me think!

  • Melissa: November 13th, 2009 at 3:44pm

    1. Do you have a life list? I absolutely have a life list. I would like to get through medical school and figure out what type of doctor I want to be. I want to get a good residency position and be successful in my field. I want to find a nice country boy who is respectful and knows how to change a tire WITHOUT calling AAA. It would be nice to have a big house in a rural area with good schools. I would like to have kids (I'm aiming for 5). But most importantly I want my family to be health, happy, and be well cared for. Do I believe in dreams? Yes- at the risk of sounding like Cinderella- a dream is a wish your heart makes. I've had enough come true that I do believe that they can happen. Usually it requires a little effort on my part- but I believe they can come true with a little help from someone up-above. Do I believe in MY dreams? Kind of. I think I'm dreaming of a lot, but then there's that whole shoot-for-the-moon-and-land-among-the-stars kind of thinking. I recently had one dream smashed into smithereens but another prospect quickly emerged. As Julie Andrews said: "When God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window." Fantastic idea Cassie!

  • Sarah Schroeder: November 13th, 2009 at 5:37pm

    I am currently dreaming about Hawaii (we leave tomorrow) But lately I have been dreaming about a remodeled/new kitchen, perhaps some day going back to teaching, our family camp Winni that I have missed for 4 summers in a row, fitting in clothes I wore before having kids...I could go on and on.

  • Nicola Bradburn Fuller: November 13th, 2009 at 10:28pm

    I believe in my dreams...always have and always will. It keeps me going. It's my fire. I have had a life list since high school some items I have accomplished, others I am still striving to achieve. I want to travel and speak several foreign languages while raising two good kids and juggling an enjoyable career. Your blog has compelled me to update and solidify them again. Thank you, Cass.

  • Lina Anuszkiewicz: November 13th, 2009 at 11:16pm

    No life list. Absolutely believe in dreams and I definitely believe in my dreams...the good ones will come true!

  • Bethany: November 14th, 2009 at 12:24am

    I have a list. I have dreams and I believe in them and believe they are important. Twenty-two years after graduating from high school I am in college. Ok, so being laid off from my job helped but soon I can add college graduate to my list!

  • Sandy: November 14th, 2009 at 8:09am

    My list begins and ends with family. I dreamed that some day I would live closer to my parents again, and that came true last year. I dream that some day I will be able to stay home and watch grandbabies whenever I want. I have the grandbabies just need to figure out how to not work. I dream that I will live closer to my daughter, I think that would mean I am moving to make that dream come true. You never know what will happen. I dream of my children being happy with their lives. I think they are pretty darn close, at least I hope so. My dream is to be cancer free for the rest of my life. Do I have a list, not written but the prayers that I say everyday are my dreams and my hopes. I have a wooden box that doesn't open. My prayers go in and God takes care of them. He will do the same for you if you let him.

  • Diane Haight: November 14th, 2009 at 9:29am

    After I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer at 36, time took on a different meaning. First I rushed to make a life list, go to Italy, leanr to make balloon animals etc. but as I looked at the list I realized that the most important things weren't always 'listable', my husband, my son, my health. So while I still have ths List with Italy at the top I try to do something new each day, like drive down a street in my town I have never seen, stop at a coffee shop I have never been in,and enjoy each moment.

  • Ellipses: November 14th, 2009 at 9:48am

    I have a list, but it was just for 2009. My mom has been dealing with cancer, my father in law was laid off from a great job AND had a heart attack and my husband had a job that just, well, sucked. My list was for my father in law to get a job, my hubby to get a better job, and my mom to have surgery to get heal her. it's all happened. my mom is going in for surgery in December - my husband got promoted way up and into another department that he loves, and my father in law got the job back from the same company he was laid off from & everyone couldn't be happier. Life lists are important but I think sometimes we have to look to the daily situations that we can make better. Thanks for letting me put this out here & I look forward to reading your posts on the Real Simple site!

  • Aimee: November 15th, 2009 at 10:16am

    Dreams. They come true when you have faith in them. I truly feel like if you put it out to the universe that you are one step closer to it. My dream is to be spiritually sound. To feel completely connected. No questions, no yearning, just sound. To be able to teach others how to do this, and to write about it. All of my other dreams can come true from this. As i think my journey has been a bundle of "was this my dream--did I really want this" or "is this enough", after one comes true. When you are trekking on a spiritual journey you are always yearning for something more, something bigger. Until that...I will ALWAYS have a list.

  • Steph The WonderWorrier: November 15th, 2009 at 8:48pm

    Not sure if I can qualify for the contest since I'm Canadian, but I'll comment anyway! I haven't made a life list like yours, but you're certainly inspiring me to try! Right now, the theme of my list would be: "get started". Start my career, start a hefty savings account, start planning a wedding, start a married life, buy my 'starter home', start a family. Those are my immediate goals. I also have lots of places I want to see, so travelling a lot is on the list too! I do believe in my dreams, I think we SHOULD always try to dream BIG! I think I will try, in the near future, to also list my "bigger" goals, the type that might seem unattainable, but I should reach for them anyway (like yours!!). Thanks for the idea!

  • Morgan: November 15th, 2009 at 9:34pm

    I have a life list. I've actually put it in our fireproof lock box, it has about 60 things on it. I believe in dreams, too, because in some ways I think our dreams can tell us things about ourselves we don't realize or know. :)

A Contest: What do you do for you?

by casscomerford • August 12th, 2009 • posted in Contest

I have a question for today and I really want to know your answer.  What do you do for you?  Something that only benefits you.  Something that you find great pleasure in. And how do you make sure that you do it and not put it off?

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Provide your response and you’ll have a chance to win this awesome Philosophy Best Sellers Set from Sephora because I like all their products names and because I don’t have a sponsor paying for my contests I get to pick whatever I want.

Now go ahead and answer you have until Friday morning at 9am EST.  At which point I will pick a winner using a random number generator.

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  • Sandy: August 12th, 2009 at 7:28am

    I am going to see Brad Paisley with my neices on Friday. It's all about me doing something for me!

  • AndreAnna: August 12th, 2009 at 7:53am

    Oooh, Sephora makes me all hot and bothered. Um, I'm one of those selfish mothers with an awesome spouse so I do a lot for myself - I get pedicures once a month and waxed. I used to get my nails done every three weeks but the time it took to sit there was grating on me. I read a lot, which is only for me. I make time to go to the gym. I play with my camera. I use the kids' portable DVD player to watch Bones episodes in bed late at night. I go out with my girlfriends from work one Wednesday a month. I buy the expensive vodka. Yeah, I have it good. :)

  • Becca: August 12th, 2009 at 8:15am

    I read. That is just for me. I am a giver, not a taker so it is VERY hard for me to justify doing things for me when I could just be doing something for someone else. But at night after the kids are in bed, I keep the TV off and just read. I guess thats why I have 4 bookshelves filled with books! Thats all but for me thats enough! Oh, maybe vaccuming. I love to do that also, I like to see the lines in the carpet and it makes me feel like I actually DID something!

  • Bessie.viola: August 12th, 2009 at 8:25am

    OOOH Sephora! I've never been, isn't that ridiculous? Drawback of living in Podunk. Anyway... have to second Becca. I read, downstairs, after baby and husband are in bed. It's so delicious just curled up by myself with no one touching me. A glass of wine & a good book = heaven. This also reminds me that I need to get back into the gym - that's really productive me time, and I always feel so kickass when I leave.

  • Ana: August 12th, 2009 at 8:33am

    I spend time online reading other peoples' blogs. I go shopping by myself. I am a teacher who outright refuses to work during the summer. July and August are for doing whatever the wind blows my way. I love it.

  • Sarah Schroeder: August 12th, 2009 at 9:06am

    For me hmmmm... I workout and twice a month I go out for dinner & drinks with friends. I also like to take time after the girls are sleeping to read &blog. I would love to find time to return to scrapbooking and knitting. Every once in a while I get my nails done or go for a massage- wish I could do this more often.

  • Joely: August 12th, 2009 at 10:32am

    OOhh I love philosophy, but don't ever buy it! Let's see...I spend "me" time reading blogs and browsing the internet after both the baby and hubs goes to bed. I also LOVE to cook when baby is napping. There is something so peaceful about it! I would rather be getting my hair and nails did, but don't have the time for that yet...I'm working on it!

  • Elizabeth: August 12th, 2009 at 12:47pm

    Hmmm. Just me. That's a hard one. I'm going to say the giant pile of library books sitting by the side of my bed - so reading. Thanks for the awesome contest! You rule.

  • Pocklock: August 12th, 2009 at 1:20pm

    I keep meaning to go in that store and I hear great things about Philosophy products, but I've never tried them! What do I do for me? Hmmm. I'm STUMPED! I seriously can't think of anything right now. And everything I type can be switched around to be For Someone Else so... I GIVE UP! I'm no help.

  • Kakaty: August 12th, 2009 at 1:34pm

    I read. A LOT. I can't go to bed without reading something. I also take do BY MYSELF once or twice a week. Cooking workshop, knitting group, swimming laps - it's great to do something l love without interruptions and have time to just think.

  • Anne: August 12th, 2009 at 2:35pm

    I take the time to read (novels!) before I go to bed at night. During kid naptime, I read email and blogs and participate in general internet time-wasting. And I make sure to keep in touch with girlfriends, by having a dinner out now and then or a walk or something...

  • Michelle Smiles: August 12th, 2009 at 2:41pm

    I love Sephora and Philosophy - I tend to stay out of Sephora because I drop too much cash in there! For me? First thought was that I do try to exercise but I don't enjoy that. So I'll go with reading. I often gate off the living room and let the girls run amok for an hour in the late afternoon (when mommy's voice is starting to get a little high pitched because daddy needs to get home soon) while I sit on the couch and read either a magazine or novel. I stop to referee when it seems necessary but otherwise I just let them free style play and refuse to read books to them while I decompress a little. I also stay up to late most nights reading before I got to bed. If I don't read a little before bed, I can't turn my brain off.

  • Gina: August 12th, 2009 at 3:13pm

    I go walking at night with my ipod and listen to explict rap music with lyrics such as bitches and hoes. I get my hair done, pedicures when i need them, make weekend trips to NYC when I want. I facebook and read blogs and celeb gossip, watch Chelsea Lately on DVR before i go to bed. All for ROCCITYMAMA

  • Lisa Hildebrand: August 12th, 2009 at 5:14pm

    Not a whole lot....sometimes have some free time to read or play on the computer...Facebook...but mostly work and spend time with my girls!

  • Kellie: August 12th, 2009 at 6:29pm

    Sephora. It makes me a complete moron to admit I've never been. Never used. I do a lot for me. I go to the gym for a Body Flow class 5 nights a week, I run three days a week, I go to the library and wander around, lost for the better part of an hour. I go home for weekends with my friends every other month. I Crackbook and read blogs. I sit on my patio with coffee in the morning while Morgan eats breakfast--it buys me at least 30 minutes to read and drink my coffee in peace. When I get in bed at night, I don't watch tv or drag a laptop with me. I read. It's something I look forward to every night--I can literally feel the crap of the day sliding away as I settle in bed with my latest book. When I'm along in the Jeep, I open the sunroof, roll the windows down and jack the music up until the bass makes my mirrors vibrate. One of my ways to not think, not talk...to just BE.

  • Roslyn: August 12th, 2009 at 7:32pm

    When the kids were younger I felt the need to do for myself. Not so urgent anymore. But, I do go for walks sometimes alone and Sunday am hikes with my husband. Of course, there is also the mani/pedis.

  • Maureen: August 12th, 2009 at 8:23pm

    Manicures and pedicures, baby! My #1 thing that I do for myself is pay someone to cut my lawn. I am very capable, but for me it is soooo worth it for someone else to cut it.

  • Samantha Jo Campen: August 12th, 2009 at 8:24pm

    I've never set foot in a Sephora and I've never used a Philosophy product. THE HORROR! I blog. And while that can be seen as doing it for my readers, I don't look at it like that. I write and reach out to a community for ME. My sanity depends on it. I'm also working out again. If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

  • Kristin: August 13th, 2009 at 7:06am

    I read. Not to the kids, but just for myself. I blog. Not often these days, but I try (ps~wanna update my template again?) I scrapbook with friends, both as part of my business and part for fun, but no nearly often enough.

  • Robyn: August 13th, 2009 at 8:49am

    I actually have almost all of those products listed above, so don't enter me in the contest (let an uninitated win!). This question stumped me. I read (not as much as I'd like) and that's pretty much it. I think I've been neglecting myself...

  • Meredith: August 13th, 2009 at 9:48am

    I read fantastic trashy romance novels. It helps me escape the nightly teething we have going on here.

  • Pshorten: August 17th, 2009 at 7:58am

    I know I'm late on this... been away on a long trip and am back now... love the idea that you are doing this, especially after the post-partum post...had pp really bad myself, that baby is now 23 and that post brought it all back to me so clearly, like it was yesterday. This is a nice thing you've done, I applaud you!