Sun, Mon, and Tuesday… Day’s 30, 31, and 32

I Did IT!!  I made it through the first month and, more importantly, I did/saw/experienced/tried 82 things that I had never done/seen/experienced/tried before. WOW!!!  Not only that I have made 100’s of new friends from all around the world and strengthened the bonds with many of my already close friends.

So, have you ever wondered what can be done in a month: hikes, museums, new food, celebrations, site seeing, meeting new people, laughs, giggles, tears, there is a gambit of human experience out there just waiting for all of us.

I spent $254.56 (excluding costs of leather jacket which I will discuss below) on 81 experiences that averages out to $3.14 per experience.  If you look over the list, the majority of that money is spent on food and two alcohol related costs.  Why I am telling you all of this??  Because, if you really want to change things up in your life, if you really want to get out and try new things, it is NOT going to cost you a fortune.  For as little as $3.14, the cost of some gallons of milk, you can change the ebbs and flows of your every day life.

I reviewed all the pictures I took before writing this post, and I have to tell you, I could not stop smiling.  I really am in shock that I did all of that in just one month!!  Which leads me to the leather jacket.

If you have reviewed any of the list, or any of what has been accomplished you will notice that there are very few material things on there.  I want the list to be about experience, not the acquisition of “things.”  Having said that, there is a time and a place for “things” in everyone’s life.

As a practice I save $10 a week and set it aside in a “reward” account.  This account is basically for me to use when I really want to treat myself, when I want to celebrate something.  Celebration is such an important practice.  So often we achieve great things and never stop to bask in the moment; instead we quickly shuffle on to the next letting the moment fade to a distant memory.  I used to be guilty of this and it is something I am continually working on improving.

I have always wanted a leather jacket.  Ever since I was a little kid, I do not know why, there is just something really “cool” in their appearance.  As an adult, when I go out I always see people wearing them and admire how cool they look.  I promised myself I would get myself one, one day as a present, but only when I deserved it.

You see for me deserving means two things: one I have to have saved enough money to be able to afford it (hence setting aside money in the reward account), and two I have to have achieved something really significant that was cause for me to celebrate.  And when I look back over the last month, I feel like it is worth celebrating.  I did a lot of amazing things, met a lot of amazing people, and created some amazing memories that will last a lifetime.

Thank you to everyone who has shared their stories, made comments, followed me on here, on Facebook, on Twitter, your on going support, words of encouragement, and sharing of your personal journey’s mean more to me than I can ever describe in words.  I begin February excited to tackle what lies ahead on the next chapter of the 1000 Challenge.

Enjoy the pics,

Carpe Diem,