10 THINGS TO DO BEFORE 2014 ENDS
In 1902, as he lay dying at the age of 48, Cecil Rhodes could look back on a not undistinguished career. He had made a vast fortune in gold and diamonds. He had built railroads through the wilderness and become one of the century’s great rulers. He had created an empire, which is more than your average 48-year-old has on his rsum. But Rhodes was not going gentle into any good night. On his deathbed he was heard muttering, “So little done, so much to do.”
What did he mean? It’s possible he wanted still more money or land or power–maybe he was the one workaholic who really spent his last minutes wishing he’d spent more time at the office. But at that moment most people worry about a different kind of “To Do” list. We all now these three important tasks: Plant a tree, write a book, have a son. That’s an excellent start. Here are ten more.
1. Make a pilgrimage.
The destination might be a traditional one such as Jerusalem or Rome or Mecca. It might be a site of prehistoric rituals, like Stonehenge or Machu Picchu. For nature-worshippers it could be an African savanna or Amazonian rain forest; for music-lovers it could be La Scala or Bayreuth. The goal is a cathedral you hold sacred, a place where you can feel part of something larger. The reward is a moment, whether it’s hearing the “Gloria” at St. Peter’s or watching a gazelle take its first step, that you won’t need a video camera to capture.
2. Join A Flash Mob.
Flash mobs have become a worldwide phenomena in which a large group of unrelated people all converge in one place, perform an unusual action for a short time, and disburse again. Flash Mobs were invented in 2003 in Manhattan, but they can now be found in almost every city in the world. To illustrate the scale and awesomeness of flash mobs, in 2006 the London Underground was overtaken by 4,000 people who all silently danced to their ipods. (Video Clip Above)
3. Invent Something. We live in a fast paced society where gadgets exist for virtually every task – but occasionally you find that nothing exists to do exactly what you want to do. Instead of ranting and raving, why not try your hand at inventing it? It can take months – even years – to invent something, but if you have a good idea, it is worth the effort. Just remember, as soon as you have completed your invention, patent it and give it a truly awesome name. Who knows, you may even get rich off the idea.
4. Go To A Film Premiere.
This one is an easy task for most people living in California, but not so easy for people in other states and countries. But it is worth the airfare to get to a premiere if you can afford it. I was fortunate enough to see the premiere of one of the Lord of the Rings movies and I had a fantastic night – you definitely must do this at least once. Who knows, maybe a superstar will see you and fall in love with you (that didn’t happen to me, alas).
5. Make an enemy for life. A gentleman has been defined as someone who never gives pain to anyone unintentionally. This leaves plenty of leeway for deliberate rudeness toward someone you can’t stand. Stand up to a bully; speak out against a fraud; fight off a rival for a prize. Care enough about something to make someone mad. An enemy helps you define yourself. As Schopenhauer said, “We can come to look upon the deaths of our enemies with as much regret as we feel for those of our friends, namely, when we miss their existence as witnesses to our success.”
6. Forgive someone.
7. Fly A Plane. You may have noticed the absence of items such as bungee jumping and sky diving – the reason is that I think they are insane things to do and I would never recommend them. So, in lieu of other “flight” related things to do, I propose that you learn to fly a plane. You might need to save money for a while as lessons can be very expensive. If you do decide to give it a go, I would recommend that you enjoy the time in the sky.
8. Hang Your Art In A Gallery.
This one may be a little risky, but it is worth it for the kudos you will get from your friends and family. First off you need to paint yourself a piece of art; it doesn’t matter whether you can draw or not – most modern art is unrecognizable anyway. Once your painting is dry, find the fanciest art gallery and ask if you can hang you art. If you want to go for a special extra touch, you can make your own wall plaque to hang beneath it – and include a price tag. Who knows, you may be discovered!
9. Stay In The Best Suite. This is something you have to do at least once in your life. Save up some money and book a night at the poshest hotel in your city – and book the most expensive suite. While you are there make sure you saved enough cash to tip well and to enjoy all of the benefits of the hotel – like fabulous food, massages, pool, and spa. There is nothing grander than waking up in a magnificent penthouse suite with a hangover. Just remember, if you steal the bathrobes you may find an unexpected bill turning up on your credit card the following month.
9. Participate in a Police Lineup.
If you volunteer at your local cop shop you can often be invited to participate in a lineup. Doing so can be fun – and you sometimes get a free lunch as well as cash (though not always). If you do get to appear in a lineup, be sure you didn’t commit the crime! Wear something fun like a tee-shirt that says “I did it” and be sure to look shifty.
I read this article on the Forbs magazine and listverse.com so I had to write a Blog about it. Hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.
Have a great 2014!!
Source Article:
http://www.forbes.com/forbes-life-magazine/2000/0918/082.html
http://listverse.com/2009/02/01/10-fabulous-things-to-do-before-you-die/
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