A New Look at List-Mania

Planning a wedding is all about making lists. I have about 20 running lists that I update periodically in my handy, dandy wedding notebooks. I have a list of things I still need to buy, people I need to call, and stuff I need to research. The lists never end.

A couple of days ago, however, I came across an article all about lists in the April 2008 issue of Body + Soul, "What's on Your Life List?" by Victoria Moran. This was a different perspective on the conventional To-Do list that I've become so well-acquainted with the last couple of months. It featured several people who had made lists of all the things they wanted to do with their lives. They were creative lists that included with all their childhood dreams, personal milestones, career goals, everything you can image. "Are life lists gimmicky?" writes Moran. "Sure. But they're a gimmick with a strange tendency to produce results." The very act of setting the intention for the things that they wanted to accomplish seemed to drive them to achieve, and live happier and more fulfilling lives.

I don't know how much of that I believe, but I am a firm believer in setting intentions—just yesterday I instruction my yoga class to set an intention for the day. So I thought I'd give it a whirl. I'll start with setting intentions for the thing that consumes my thoughts most lately, my wedding. (The article suggested coming up with 100 goals, but since I'm thinking about just one day of my life, I think this list can be shorter.)

1. My fiance will happily show up. He will remember the rings. He'll make sure to look completely love-drunk the second he lays eyes on me in my bridal attire. (There will be no fighting for an entire month before our big day.)

2. Both of our families will be in attendance—both immediate and extended.

3. It will be a lovely day—not too hot, not too cold, and not a cloud in the sky (definitely no rain). There will be a gentle breeze, just enough to blow my dress around a little.

4. When I get to my venue everything will be set up exactly as I had envisioned it. Tables set, chairs in order, favors in place. It will be the most beautiful backdrop I've ever seen.

5. We'll have plenty of time to enjoy all of our guests.

6. People will only say wonderfully, flattering things about us in the reception toasts.

7. We will get many compliments on our good taste. Many people will comment on all the personal touches we worked so hard to create.

8. The food will be AMAZING!

9. Our families will love each other.

10. My skin will be flawless.

11. My toddler nieces and nephew will walk down the aisle (and will not cry).

12. We will have plenty of money left over to start our life together.

13. We will live happily ever after!