99 Things to Do Before I Die

Yesterday, I read an article in Men’s Health and it inspired me to write this for myself. The title was “99 Things to Do Before You Die,” hence my not so original title above. I’m not sure how long it will be before I get this list done and I am sure it will change over time. But I think this will be a great exercise in getting to know myself and just a whole lot of fun. The list is in no particular order.

1. Trek across a desert on camelback in North Africa or the Middle East
2. Hang glide
3. Visit Tibet and the Potala Palace. Meditate in a secluded area of the Himalayas
4. Live in Europe for at least 5 years
5. Visit Turkey and spend some time at the dervish lodges of the Mevlevi and Halveti-Jerahi Order. Get instruction on whirling from the Mevlevi and participate in Zikr with the Jerahi
6. See Australia and New Zeland, spend some time with my family there. Visit Uluru or Ayers Rock and scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef
7. Swim with dolphins
8. Take an Alaskan cruise
9. Bungee jump
10. Visit Iran and the sacred sites of the Sufi saints
11. See the aurora borealis
12. Visit Prague
13. Write a book
14. Put together a CD of music I have composed to give to friends and family
15. Sky dive
16. See the great pyramids of Egypt
17. Visit Rio de Janeiro during Carnaval/Mardi Gras
18. Sail the Mediterranean on a yacht
19. See the wildlife in Africa
20. Participate in the Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca
21. Visit the Maj Mahal
22. See Angkor Wat in Cambodia
23. Visit the Inca city of Machu Picchu in the Andes Mountains of Peru
24. Learn to play the guitar
25. Take a vacation on the moon (hopefully, this will be possible in my lifetime)
26. Kayaking in whitewater (east TN has some good rivers)

This is all I have for now. It is not an easy list to come up with.


Here are a few things that would have made this list, but I've already done them:

1. Learn to scuba dive / go night diving - I have not done this in a while and I really do miss diving
2. Experience Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany - I was with my cousin Antonio. It was a wild time
3. Swim with sharks - Not all sharks are dangerous (thank god) but this was still exciting
4. Visit Amsterdam - I had a blast!!
5. Sit in meditation or pray with spiritual leaders - I had the opportunity to meet, sit and pray with various people from different backgrounds (Hindu, Daoist, Christian, Sufi), but most often with Sufi shaykhs and leaders of the Catholic Church (thanks mom). Every time, it was been a blessing. (For those that understand - I feel that the most powerful experiences are the ones I interpret to be via Uwaysi transmission)
6. Learn to play the piano and write music - I've written several songs. Its a great hobby, one that I hope to do more of soon
7. Get a Masters degree - I have an MBA & an MA (thanks Dad for pushing me to finish)
8. Play music in a band - I enjoyed it. Was in 2 different groups, but this path is really not for me
9. Study art and learn to draw
10. Visit the walled city of Avila - According to Catholic tradition, St. Teresa of Avila is my patron saint. I was born on her feast day and my grandmother has a devout Carmelite. Avila is a beautiful place

I have to admit there are a few other things I thought of that would go on either list, but are probably not appropriate to broadcast on the web. ;)