Listful Thinking: Using List Making to Motivate Your Spirit

Michelle Casey, “The Secret of Life”, Collage/Mixed Media, 7 inches x 5 inches, 2011, Upper text: “The secret of life is to dare”; Lower left text: “Imagine”

Last week while savouring a cup of coffee during a rare peaceful moment in my life, I began thinking about lists again. Posting my Gratitude List the other week evoked such a warm response from some of you, I wondered what other inspiring, uplifting and, perhaps even (heaven forbid!), thought/action provoking lists I might also share with you…

Lists are great for those of us who have trouble trying to figure out what to write in our journals. You don’t need to be an eloquent writer to put together a list of items related to your life. Lists, even the most basic ones like your grocery list, can reveal so much about your character, concerns and lifestyle – a psychologist, detective or even historian would have a field day reconstructing just who you really are from the discarded lists you leave behind! I’m always elated to find the odd one left in a shopping cart at my local grocer’s. Ever wonder, for instance, what might be on Batman’s favourite reading list or Jane Eyre’s bucket list?! I remember a while back when Oprah Winfrey wrote her “bucket list”; I though it was such a great idea. There’s nothing like putting together a list of longings to make them concrete. Making a list like Oprah’s means there’s also the possibility and the desire to make some or all of our wishes real to whatever extent we can*. There’s nothing like rising to the challenge of a personal dare … especially if you share your list with others**. I’ve always wanted to write a bucket list, but haven’t dared until now. You know, it’s your presence here and now that gives me the courage to finally write mine… so here goes… (Naturally, I’m only giving you the first ten items (in no particular order); as you can imagine a wordy writer/thinker like me has at least a 100 items on her list!)

My Bucket List:

1 Learn how to sew collages
2 Make a really cool art video
3 Start an art school for underprivileged kids so they can learn how to creatively foster change and bring hope to their communities
4 Learn to play the guitar and sing again
5 Learn how to skateboard!
6 Publish a story about my father’s life
7 Get my driver’s licence (again!)
8 Open up an art boutique/gallery/workshop
9 Take dance lessons
10 Visit my friend Gillian’s B&B in the UK (by the sea!)

As I wrote my list, I could already begin to imagine the sources that could help me: the store I could check out for sewing lessons; the shop that gives skateboard lessons I heard about on TV and a neighbourhood where I could set up my art boutique. In seconds I could also envision aspects of these activities: what my first video might look like; the cover of my newly published book and the elements I’d like to stitch into my collages (old clothes labels, glittering sequins, a drawing of anatomical heart)… these imaginings gave me hope. The humble act of recording our own meaningful lists can give us the ability to awaken and transform our humdrums lives if we dare. You know, when it comes right down to it, even if I could do only a few things on my bucket list, it’d give my spirit such a lift! As they say we only have one life to live so I always feel why not make the most of it!

As well as a bucket list there are many other kinds of lists to draw from. While surfing the internet I found Demanding Joy’s site which features a 50 ideas for list writing. I’ve selected ten of my favourite items from that list to spur you on…

10 Inspiring Ideas for List Writing:

1 The most beautiful things you’ve ever seen
2 All the compliments you’ve ever gotten
3 The best days of your life
4 The best advice you’ve been given
5 Things that made you laugh until you cried
6 What would you do with the power of invisibility?
7 People who’ve influenced or inspired you
8 Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
9 Occupations that you’ve wanted to be since childhood
10 Favourite gifts you’ve received

Wow, some of these list ideas are so intriguing … I love the dinner party and the invisibility ones! One day I’ll share my thoughts on those with you! Now go to it! Write your list and remember to share it with a friend or two. You can even build a collage around it and frame it to remind you of its potential impact on your life. You may want to consider devoting a whole journal just to list making – wouldn’t that be exciting! If you want to know what the other 40 items on Demanding Joy’s list are be sure to visit their website (see link below).

* Note: With regards to a bucket list, sometimes we don’t always have the funds to make our actual wishes come true; but there are always alternative solutions… if you can’t go Italy, how about going to the best Italian restaurant in town or perhaps visiting your local Italian week festival to get a flavour of its spirit.

** Note: With regards to a bucket list, if you share your list, there’s always the possibility someone you know can help you realize a dream on it. The more people you share your list with the higher your chances perhaps of achieving your goals!

Other Related Links:
50 Lists to Write to Lift Your Spirits (If you want the other 40 items and can’t access the site, you can email me and I’ll send them to you.)
Benefits of a Bucket List
How Writing Can Inspire Your Collaging
My Father’s Hands: Writing, Collaging, Commemorating
Collage Tip #8: Collaging a Dream Journal