Savoring the Seven: The More Attainable List

As someone who has spent many hours with people at the end of their life, I've realized something that surprises others.

When life is coming to an end, people rarely talk about wishing they had climbed Mount Everest or visited every continent. Those dreams certainly matter to some, but far more often, people tell me about the ordinary moments they wish they had made time for.

"I wish I had spent more afternoons with my grandchildren."

"I wish I had learned to paint."

"I wish I had forgiven my brother."

"I wish I had watched one more sunset."

The end of life has a remarkable way of stripping away everything except what truly matters. That's why I encourage people to create something I call Savoring the Seven. Instead of writing an endless bucket list that feels impossible to complete, choose exactly seven experiences you want to have before your life is over. Not seventy. Not thirty.

Just seven.

Why seven? Because seven is enough to inspire you, but few enough that you'll actually revisit your list throughout your life. It encourages thoughtful choices rather than collecting ideas you'll never pursue.

How to Create Your Seven

Ask yourself:

• What experience would make me feel fully alive?

• Who do I want to spend meaningful time with?

• What have I always wanted to learn?

• Where do I feel called to visit?

• Is there something I need to forgive—or ask forgiveness for?

• What legacy do I hope to leave?

• If I knew I had one year left, what would I regret not doing?

Then choose your seven. Not because they're the most impressive. Because they're the most meaningful.

My Challenge

Write them down. Keep them somewhere you'll see them often.

Your phone.

Your journal.

Your refrigerator.

Your planner.

Read them every few months and ask yourself: "What small step can I take toward one of these today?"

Maybe it's researching a destination.

Calling an old friend.

Signing up for a class.

Booking the concert.

Writing the first page of your book.

Life doesn't usually change because of one giant leap. It changes because we consistently choose what matters.

An Example of a Savoring the Seven List

Everyone's list will look different, but here's an example:

1. Watch the Northern Lights.

2. Tell my children a story only I know.

3. Learn to play a song on the ukulele.

4. Become a published author.

5. Reconcile with someone I've loved.

6. Volunteer for a cause bigger than myself.

7. Write letters to leave behind for the people I love.

Notice that only a few involve travel. Most involve connection because connection is what we remember.

The Beautiful Surprise

One of the greatest gifts of creating a Savoring the Seven list isn't crossing off the items. It's discovering what they reveal about you. Your list becomes a reflection of your values. It reminds you what kind of person you're trying to become—not just what you're trying to accomplish.

Preparing for death is really another way of preparing to live. We cannot control how many birthdays we'll celebrate, but we can decide how intentionally we spend the ones we have.

So tonight, grab a notebook. Write down your seven. Not someday. Today. Because the goal isn't simply to have a longer life. It's to have a life that, when the time comes, leaves you saying,

"I truly savored it."