Give Your Someday a Date

Posted on by Sandi Amorim 12 Conversations

When was the last time you said yes to something on your life list?

Distinction: A bucket list is considered to be a list made up of things to do before you die, i.e: ‘kick the bucket.’ A life list is made up of things to do while you’re ALIVE. And things that make my heart beat faster should be kept somewhere special. . .not a bucket.

Back to the question…when?

It’s been awhile for me too.

“This is me. And I’m imperfect and I’m vulnerable and I’m afraid sometimes…” – Brené Brown

And then yesterday, I said yes.

YES.

To something that simultaneously terrifies and excites me.

I’m going to learn how to scuba dive.

On October 17 I’ll be joining my friend and colleague Jason Sugar of Breakthrough Adventures and two others in the water.

Jason Sugar of Breakthrough Adventures teaching scuba diving.

That’s Jason on the right teaching and sharing his passion!

Here’s why it’s a big deal…

When I was 8 years old I almost drowned, and while I don’t remember many of the details, I do remember the panic and fear of not being able to breathe.

And yet oddly, scuba diving has always been on the list of things I’d love to learn.

To be totally  honest, it’s been on the someday list (the list I think of wistfully, just like you!)

Until now.

I’ve said this before but it bears repeating,

Give your someday a date.

Mine’s October 17, 2012.

Give it a date or take it off the list and stop suffering about it.

Every time you think of it as a someday goal or look at it on your list, there’s suffering. For me it occurred as a kind of loss or grieving because I so wanted to do it but probably never would. The fear that gripped me when I was 8 had a tight hold on this dream and it was looking like it would never happen.

Until now.

Am I scared? Yes.

Excited? Oh. My. God. YES!

But more than that? I’ve restored my integrity with myself by saying yes to something I’ve so long desired.

“You are in integrity when the life you are living on the outside matches who you are on the inside.” – Alan Cohen

Best of all, I get to say, fuck you someday! 

And that makes me very, very happy.

 

 

12 conversations started on “Give Your Someday a Date”

  1. You know what?  I don’t have a someday list or a life list.  I have dreams and visions and plans for my life, but I don’t have a list of separate items.  What does that mean?  Am I totally screwed up? Uh oh!Hooray to saying yes to scuba diving!  I think you will feel so empowered and invincible when you move past your fear.  Watch you end up being one of those scuba diving nuts who travels all over the world to take specific dives.  Stranger things have been known to happen. . . . .

    1. Carol Hess I think everybody’s got a someday goal or list, often unacknowledged. It’s the one that leaves you feeling a bit wistful, longing for that which you doubt will ever happen. As for the scuba, I can hardly think about it yet. Still freaks me out that I said yes! 

    2. Carol Hess I think everybody’s got a someday goal or list, often unacknowledged. It’s the one that leaves you feeling a bit wistful, longing for that which you doubt will ever happen. As for the scuba, I can hardly think about it yet. Still freaks me out that I said yes! 

  2. I like your distinction between “bucket” and “life” list. You’re right—it’s about being aLIVE! Grabbing life with both hands and going for it—right now! Way to be a demonstration of the thrill and aliveness and freedom and joy that’s possible when we face—and step through—our fear. I’m very excited for you—you’re gonna rock it!

  3. I’ve been sitting with this piece all day, trying to think of a response.  I do have dreams on that life list, but aside from the money issue, the timing isn’t right.  Running off to Europe for a year with a dad and brother in the midst of a cancer battle just doesn’t fit my life and priorities right now.  So yes, someday, but a someday I intend to come.  I went searching in my journal where I keep my February 2011 in answer to the question, “What are you putting off doing?”  I concluded with, “I suppose all goals and dreams need some sort of deadline to propel us forward.”  And yet, somehow that piece of learning got pushed to the side.  Will definitely start putting dates in my calendar from now on.

    1.  There’s something about a someday goal or dream that is different to having a goal with no date. There’s an element of longing and wistfulness that is unique to someday thinking. For example, I’ve always known I would write a book, and even though I haven’t yet it doesn’t occur as wistful. I simply haven’t done it yet. But with the scuba diving there was always that feeling of it’s-probably-not-going-to-happen, directly linked to what happened when I was 8. Does that make sense? 

      1. Sandi Amorim Completely.  There’s only one of those, and unfortunately, I’m not in control of biology.  It’s not for lack of trying…and trying and trying and trying.  But maybe that’s the real key–to let go and stop all the damn trying.  🙂

  4. Whoo hoo!! Go Sandi! It’s AMAZING. I would say come join Gene & I in Grand Cayman the last week of November…because we have a funny & awesome dive master who is a marine biologist. 🙂 PLUS, we get to hunt lionfish with spears! *hugs* You will have a blast–all the more so because you’re aligning back with your integrity. Overcoming fear sidenote: When I was 8, I had a Roman candle blow out the side and burn ashes into my eyes. 10 years later, I finally started lighting them again. You *can* overcome any panic. 

  5. Sandi, your courage is contagious! I’ve been dawdling on a fun project that’s been simmering in my mind, so my someday’s “due date” is January 1st, 2013 when I’ll be releasing my exciting self-guided mind, body, and soul eprogram! Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, so nervous to put this in writing but so glad I have that shining, glimmering date ahead to pull me forward!

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