I start each day by thanking God for all I have and then proceed from there. I'm very spontaneous so if someone says "will you etc" or how about we go etc." I always say yes unless I'm sick. Consequently I feel I have a great life between going to hospitals to help get people there to trips to wonderful places and countries. Sunday I was asked to go to Boston to a new experience called Eatalian. It was in the Prudential center and an enormous adventure in to food. It was fab and from there we went to MFA. Don't let me loose in a museum, you will never find me again. I've been known to spend 6 to 8 hours at a time. We only spent four. Every day is a new adventure. Of course there are the hard times too but I focus on the good times with people I love.

Thanks, Yaya. You have a great attitude. I agree that taking advantage of opportunities to get out to see and do things makes for a happy life. You are a busy girl! Although I almost always respond to invitations with a big yes, I am not quite as good at being the one who instigates things. Have to do more of that. Here I am, healthy, relatively unencumbered, and with the financial wherewithal to do most of what I want to do (can't afford that round-the-world cruise, which I would not like anyway). Part of the problem is lighting a fire under some of my friends who seem to have reasons not to do much. So -- more carpe diem and less putting things off. Gratitude for all I have is a daily exercise for me, too.

Keeping a journal and reading over the entries helps remind me of what I want and moves nebulous goals from the thinking to the doing stage. Having friends who are not interested in the same things is a problem for me too. I have no idea of what to do about that problem- other than do things without them and meet the people who are doing the things :-)

After my best friend's SIL died at 49, we made a pact that we would go away for a fun "girls weekend" every year. There are 3 of us and we are now planning our 5th annual trip. We usually go for 3-4 nights in early spring. Sometimes the sad things inspire us to enjoy life more.

My closest friends have made "fun" a priority even when we are stressed out or busy or overwhelmed -- we agree that getting together for coffee or dinner or a walk is therapeutic and makes us feel younger. We have a lot of laughs even when certain things in our lives suck.

I try to say yes to most invitations, from going for a walk with a neighbor to grabbing a beer with a friend, though sometimes I have to brush aside feelings of guilt or "I really should be doing x or y instead..."

My best friend (since first grade), Tony, drowned in a boating accident when we were 23 y/o. That, and working in the medical field forever has sadly kept me aware of my own mortality. My middle and high school best friend, Kathy, died a year ago of metastatic bowel cancer. Another longtime, very close friend has an incurable cancer. I lost both my parents last year within six months of each other. And so, my own mortality seems to stay on my mind even more so lately. I don't have a so-called bucket list, but I have become very focused on living out whatever life I have left (hopefully another 30+ years) on "my terms". How so?

- I've stopped focusing on acquiring pretty much anything material. Instead, I'm determined to notice and appreciate the small, beautiful things already in my daily life, whether it's a flower, a sunrise, a smile or a kindness to me or another. And, I am . . . every day. It's been a gradual change of focus, but I've noticed how much happier and less stressed I am because of it.

- I go out of my way every day to do small kindnesses for others. Both of these may seem inconsequential, but it's become very important for me to try and make the world a little better in my own small ways.

- Although I'm always open to making new friends, my focus now is more on spending good quality time with my close friends and family.

- My parents knew how much I love to travel and see and explore new places. My inheritance from them now allows me to do more of that. In the past year DH and I've vacationed in several states and in Mexico. We'll continue with more in Europe, Asia and Africa as time allows. If anything, traveling would be on my bucket list, if I had one.

- With age, and facing my own mortality, I've become more tolerant in many ways. I've also become much more outspoken, especially when I encounter any type of religious, racial, or gender prejudice. I just feel that it would be wrong not to call someone out on it. That my own integrity would be greatly diminished if I didn't, if that makes any sense.

- And, finally, volunteering. I did much of it up until my last child headed off to college five years ago. About 20 non-stop years altogether. I guess I got a bit burned out, but am now focusing on new, different volunteer work.

So, not so much a bucket list of things I need to do and mark off, but more of a mental reassessment as to who I am, what good I've accomplished so far, and what I want to do with whatever time I have left here in this lifetime.

Knowing the grim reaper is closing in makes me want to downsize what I don't love and record my family history, get my affairs in order and always say I love you and hug and kiss people upon departure. Not that I didn't before, but some people waste a lot of time on negative activities and I consciously try and not get swept up in it. Not always easy, some are forever in its grasp.

Lovely thoughts, Lynn. I remember when I was young thinking that death really wasn’t going to happen to me, despite knowing full well that it happens to everyone. Now as I see people my age getting ill and dying, I know that not only will it happen (came to that conclusion many decades ago), but it could happen at any time. I am feeling this weird pressure to get out there and do — something? Guess I’ll start by enjoying this picture perfect autumn day!

I love Lynn's post! With the exception of travel I relate and agree with every single word she wrote. In another topic I wrote about feeling stuck, however I am also very aware that this stage of life is like being a caterpillar--changes are happening inside and I hope to emerge to something beautiful on the other side :).

Perhaps my most important carpe to diem is finish out our working life and retire. Both my husband and I are keenly aware of what I think everyone else is once you pass that magical 6-0 birthday: health is nothing to take for granted and it can all pivot in one moment while you sit listening to the doctor give you news that will change everything. It makes less and less sense to sit wasting time in an office at a job when time is ticking away each and every day so I've started the process of getting very specific in our planning. No more 'gee hope we've got enough someday'. Now it's on to 'let's figure out how we will pay the electric bill and buy groceries for the rest of our life without a paycheck coming in!'. Fortunately things look positive on that front and I hope to be on to the next and hopefully happiest phase of life very soon.

I've gotten involved in community activities. I've learned more than I ever wanted to know about where all the storm sewers are and where they come out. Not glamorous, but it helps to know why creek banks are eroding and trees are falling down and what we need to do to get help to mitigate the problem.

I don't and haven't had a seize the day attitude. But this thread definitely makes me want to.

Mine today will be to try to enjoy my walk with my dog. He is a rescue and has special needs. He is a handful. I need to not define our walk on the one bad thing that is sure to happen but to focus on all the good.

It's a beautiful day today. I can appreciate that I can do these walks. Last summer I had two foot injuries, one after the other that took months to heal. Although I still got out there, it was painful. Nice to just walk without thinking about it.

Aw, eld, taking care of a special needs dog is such an amazing and selfless gift.

Rita thanks, but it wasn't by choice. He wheedled his way into our hearts when my oldest DD couldn't handle him.

Fast forward she now has her owns her own place and has recused another dog, a chihuahua. Also kind of strange but doable.