The “real” to do list. I don’t know where it came from, but I saw it once on the internet, the land of infinite possibilities.

As a person who is constantly jotting down reminders and lists, this is one list that intrigued me. I keep enough to-do lists to make your head spin: a do at work list, do this week list, do this weekend list, do soon list, do sometime in the near future list and a running do in my life list, a bucket list of sorts.

I’ve never heard of a “real” to do list, what’s this all about? The list contained about a dozen very simple tasks, some of which listed were: breathe deeply, smile, laugh, count your blessings, hope, hug your children and love. That’s it? That’s the “real” to do list? It’s that easy?

The list stuck in the forefront of my mind for a few days. Words randomly drifted through my head. Breathe deeply. Hug someone. Count your blessings. These tasks should be a part of each day but how many times does the opportunity float by before we grab it? What basic needs were I missing out on? What have I become so busy with that I have forgotten these simple tasks necessary for my happiness, my health, my spirituality? Sure, I’m generally an upbeat person, but am I truly nourishing my soul? What am I missing here?

I became obsessed with writing my own “real” to do list. By habit, I wanted to write this down, desperate not to let this become some short-lived resolution that quickly escaped my limited brain space. What did I truly feel I needed to do regularly to feed my soul and boost my happiness? It wasn’t easy. One would think “make money” would come to the top of the list. Sure, I’d love a fat checkbook, who wouldn’t? Realistically though, what were the basic necessities for a well-rounded spirit? After much thought, I came up with my own “real” to do list:

• Count your blessings

• Smile

• Laugh

• Hug someone

• Write

• Be thankful

• Love

• Hope

• Breathe deeply

• Be happy

• Always look up

• Be content

• Pray for someone

• Keep in touch

I could have kept on writing but realized that I needed to keep my list manageable and limit it to those items most important to me. I printed off several copies of my “real” to do list and posted them where I would see them often. These subtle reminders are often all I need to take a detour off of the frantic highway of life for a soul nurturing pit stop. After I’ve topped off my tank of happiness, it’s back on the road for another exciting ride.