Just when I thought I was getting bored (or boring), I am suddenly inspired by looking up my stats, which led me to find out about a top exit page, which I promptly read (to clarify, it was the post that I read that inspired me, not the stats).

The post is one that I wrote in Sydney after reading SHE magazine about "How to be Happy."

I thought I'd like to see how things have progressed in just over 3 years. (Goodness has it been that long?)

The list:

1. two things to do every day to inspire myself
2. two people I want to meet this year
3. two things I want to learn
4. two things I want to finish
5. two things I want to start
6. two material things I want in my lifetime
7. two books I want to read
8. two places I want to go
10. two things I want to eliminate from my life

My list (and progress):

1. a) Previous answers and progress

walk through a park - I used to do it every day in Australia. Now I ride my bike to/from work and try to choose the quieter streets and go a little slower to enjoy it. I've started a walking club and I try to take my group somewhere pretty in downtown Toronto every week. But I don't know if I'd call that "inspiring".

read while I drink my tea - well, I haven't had much time to do that lately. While I was at my apartment, I had my weekend morning ritual of coffee and magazine reading. Totally loved it. Haven't done that since I've been in the house. Must get back to it.

b) THIS YEAR: must do better on this one - I'm definitely missing a sense of inspiration. Ideas (although not necessarily daily ones):

take a course

go for walks early in the morning or in the evening

2. a) Previous answers and progress

someone interesting from an exotic place - totally met lots of these people on my trip. This year I met Jesse, a musician from Tasmania.

someone who inspires me - the CEO of my company

b) THIS YEAR:

a good doctor/counsellor

a professional mentor

3. a) Previous answers and progress

scuba diving - done! - got my advanced diving license

surfing - done! - took 2 classes

b) THIS YEAR:

patience

how fix a bike

4. a) Previous answers and progress

this trip - done! - totally smoked that trip!

the Lord of the Rings Trilogy - done!

b) THIS YEAR:

unpacking

renovating

5. a) Previous answers and progress

a professional web site - nope

loving and believing myself - um, better on the former, not so great on the latter

b) THIS YEAR:

site redesign, including a professional section

being truly supportive and unselfish

6. a) Previous answers and progress

a house - done - I'm sitting in it!

a wedding ring - no deal

b) THIS YEAR: tough one as I really don't feel that I want much beyond what I have...

a pretty garden to sit out in

a gorgeous deep bathtub

7. a) Previous answers and progress

tales of a female nomad - done

The High King - done

b) THIS YEAR:

1000 Places to See Before You Die

Suggestions?

8. a) Previous answers and progress

The Great Barrier Reef - done!

Fraser Island - done!

b) THIS YEAR:

Thailand

Cape Breton Island

10. a) Previous answers and progress

caring so much what others expect from me or think about me

fear of failure (or my ridiculous notion of what constitutes failure)
I'm still struggling with these

THIS YEAR:

the above

my sense of urgency about pretty much everything

VERDICT:

I accomplished a lot.
I can do a lot more to nurture myself.
It's probably a good idea to do a list like this every once in a while to refocus.
I can't count to 10.