As I get ready to celebrate my birthday tomorrow, I am taking a look at the bucket list I put together for myself back in 2008. Do you have a bucket list? Prior to my cancer diagnosis, I guess I was naive in thinking I would live forever and have all the time in world to experience and do things I wanted to do. But, cancer gave me a kick in the pants and a wake up call, in letting me know that I was not invisible and that we are all here on borrowed time. Knowing this, I began a running list in my head of things I wanted to do and see, and set off on completing items I listed on my bucket list. As I completed each, I would check them off in my head, and then move on up the list. In addition, as I learned about new things and places, I would add to my list, and eventually had to write my bucket list down on paper. As I sit here today and look at my list, I have down 20 things I want to do while I am here on Earth. I have already completed a dozen things since I began my bucket list, like biking on the beach in the South, having a baby (I did this twice :-) ) and becoming a blogger. Check, check, check! But, there are still things that I still need to do.
When I created my list, which I created after reading books written by other cancer survivors, who used this list to re-evaluate and add direction to their lives, I didn't hold back and added things that some may think are far out there, like swimming with a shark and walking over a coal pit. Then, there are more interesting things like eating a $200 steak dinner with my father at a fancy restaurant in NYC, after we saw this on the Food Network or growing a healthy crop of vegetables to last me the winter months. I haven't done either of these yet, but hope to in the near future.
But, the two items I listed on my list, which I hope to accomplish next year, and include my daughters in are to swim in blue water -- you know the one I am talking about -- the waters you find in Key West or other tropical areas. Whenever I see this bluish/green water in magazines or in movies, I grow envious and wish I could transport myself their. I can only imagine how peaceful it would be to wade in these waters, only to look out at the never ending blue canopy of water. The other item I wrote down was to visit the Carolina's or even VA and rent a house on the beach with a deck, and sit there and watch the wild horses gallop by. After seeing Nights in Rodanthe on DVD, I fell in love with the idea of seeing these beautiful animals, as they roam the beaches and swim in the water. How great would it be to sit back and watch them? Hopefully, next year I can share my stories of these two experiences with you, as I look back at my year when my birthday rolls around. In the meantime, I will continue to add to my bucket list and check off other items as I complete them.
This list really does offer a purpose and direction in life, and makes you want to get out of your comfort zone and try new things. I don't know if I will ever swim with the sharks -- maybe I will just swim with the fish and catch a glance of a shark from a distance. That would be perfectly fine with me. :-) If you don't have a bucket list, why not jot down a few things you want to do in your life, and start working at achieving them? You will find like I did that you will want to add to your list, make changes, and enjoy checking of items as you complete them. Then, do like I do, and on your birthday, look back at your list and reminisce about the experiences you completed, and put a game plan together for the coming year on things you want to complete and check off your list.
Read on to learn more about the inspiration behind my re-evaluating my bucket, thanks to a funny parody book, Fifty Two Shades of Blue-ish by Karen S. Exkorn. You can also enjoy an excerpt from her book below. I can't wait to pick up a copy of her book and read it from cover to cover. Even though her book is a parody of the must-read book on many women's reading lists, the book really does make you take a step back and ask yourself "What is the one thing you've always wanted to do, but were afraid at trying?" Or, maybe you recently accomplished something amazing and want to shout it from the rooftops -- this book will make you want to share your empowering story with the world. :-)
------
Fifty
Two Shades of Blue-ish
Noted
Author – and “Nice” Jewish Girl – Debuts Sexy Kosher Parody
"Karen S. Exkorn, a published author, noted speaker,
and all-around nice Jewish girl (except when she’s not), has released Fifty
Two Shades of Blue-ish, a parody of that “other” ever-popular tome.
Fifty Two Shades of Blue-ish is bursting with humor and
erotica (who knew sex could be so fun…and funny?). The story follows the
virginal Rachel Levine and her handsome hunk of man as they surrender to their
sexual cravings, with a hunger for more than just matzah balls.
This
sexy and silly parody is an entertaining
romp through Rachel’s life as she strives to find the delicate balance between
love, lust…and latkes. Over candlelit dinners
with Manischewitz on ice, she surrenders to the forbidden desires of her inner
princess (Jewish American Princess, that is…).
Fifty Two Shades of Blue-ish is a pulsating page-turner
that will stir up your every fantasy…and your Jewish guilt (even if you’re not
Jewish!).
Published
by Orange Press, Fifty Two Shades of Blue-ish will have its soft launch in
October and its hard launch just in time for Hanukah."
Enjoy an Excerpt from the Book Below:
About
the Author: Karen S. Exkorn
"A
woman of many “shades,” Karen S. Exkorn writes corporate keynote speeches by
day and soft Jewish porn by night. She
hopes that she does not slip one of her clients the wrong pages…
As
founder and President of KAS Consulting, Inc. and Speak On, Exkorn creates and
delivers innovative corporate training programs for Fortune 500 companies. An internationally known motivational
speaker, Exkorn is a frequent lecturer at corporations and universities.
Exkorn
is also the author of the best-selling book, The
Autism Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Know About Diagnosis, Treatment,
Coping, and Healing—From a Mother Whose Child Recovered (2005 HarperCollins). The success of her book led to appearances on Good
Morning America, Today Show, The View, CNN, CBS News, Nightline, PBS, and
articles in The
New York Times, Town & Country, Parents Magazine, Child Magazine and
worldwide
media.
With
a B.A. from Brown University and an M.A. from the Gallatin
School of Individualized Studies at NYU, Exkorn is a former
professional dancer and performance artist known for her witty banter, dynamic
prose and unique theatre pieces.
When
she’s not on TV, writing, consulting, performing, dancing, mothering, running
errands, making dinner, or walking the dog, Exkorn can be found trying to cram
her body into a relaxing yoga pose.
Exkorn
lives in New York with her husband, son, and dog."
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by the Role Mommy Writer's Network (http://www.rolemommy.com/the-
No comments :
Post a Comment