How are your daily routines keeping you in-touch with what’s going on around us? I’d love to know your answer to that sincere query; I’d be honored to share mine with you to prime the pump of that conversation. What are your habitual disciplines to be aware of your life and setting?
Here’s my daily start-up: I arise before the alarm that’s set for 5:00 am. I’m out the door and at a coffee spot somewhere/anywhere by 5:45a. First up: five chapters of Scripture; I read through the whole Bible by Labor Day every year, then re-read the New Testament by Thanksgiving, then re-read Paul’s books to close the year. Then, it’s the local newspaper: I stay current on the obits from my locale (to make sure that I’m not in them yet), then the Wall Street Journal. Finally, I have a news consolidation app called Flipboard that scans broadly and delivers content that might be of interest.
Over time, I’m discovering that there is a consistent headline that shows up almost every day, from some public media provider. Here’s the headline: “10 Things to (see, do, experience, visit) Before You Die.” It’s macabre while missional; it’s so me-focused as to be myopic. What gives?
I know that my generation – the much-maligned Boomers – are playing our last chapters of life with a desire to go out with a bang. Hedonism wants to finish on a high, and many plan to use all they have and leave little undone or unexplored. Is that all there is?
For the first time in my prep for these weekly musings, I asked Chat GPT: “What are the ’10 things before you die’?” What would its response be to that unbounded request?
“That typically refers to a ‘bucket list…’ While these vary from person-to-person based on values, dreams and beliefs, here’s a thoughtful and balanced version ‘list of 10’ that includes both personal fulfillment and deeper purpose:
» Discover your Life’s Purpose: understand why you’re here…
» Make Peace with God: consider your spiritual condition…
» Tell the People you Love that You Love Them: don’t leave words unspoken…
» Leave a Legacy: build something that outlives you…
» Do Something that Scares You (in a good way): step out of your comfort zone…
» Give Generously to a Cause Greater than Yourself: use time, talent, and resources to bless…
» Invest Deeply in a Few Relationships: cultivate lasting, authentic friendships…
» Create Something Meaningful: write a book, compose a song, start a business or ministry…
» See the World (or a part of it): experience other cultures; witness the beauty of God’s creation…
» Prepare for Eternity: live each day in light of the next life. Reflect on what matters most and
how your daily choices echo into Eternity.”
If you’re approaching this from a Christian perspective, I can also provide a version grounded entirely in Scripture and biblical priorities. Would you like to do that?
Artificial Intelligence? I’ve been a wary skeptic regarding the relegation of intellectual research and thoughtful conclusions to a digital assistant that would lack the emotional and spiritual wherewithal to provide proposals that would be in alignment with my chosen but narrow biblical worldview versions.
Here’s a shocking realization I’ve just discovered: if a machine with no heart nor soul can reach such a profound “10 Things Before You Die” agenda, what keeps me/us from doing the same?
That list – or, something akin to it – has been my LifePlan for decades; I’ll finish my years with that map still in my virtual GPS, pointing toward Eternity.
What’s on your list?
Bob Shank
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Hi Bob,
Thanks for your writing!
I enjoyed reading it.
One of my things to do is finish and publish my memoir including my adventure motorcycle trips around the world.
My family and I have relocate to SoCal in 2013. I would love to catch up with you sometime to catch up and share more.
I still remember my TMP days back in 2001 in Palo Alto fondly.
Thank you!
Michael
Thank you, Bob, for your unwavering intentional discipline in sharing your inspired heart with us weekly. Today’s message is very powerful and focusing as I’m in a season of recovery and cocooning from a decade of over whelming influence and distraction (out of my control, at least I thought) from the Market place.
Interestingly, I just posed your same question to CHATFPT. Here is their response;
The idea of “10 things to do before you die” is subjective and personal, but here’s a list that captures a mix of meaningful, adventurous, and reflective goals that many people consider worthwhile:
### **10 Things to Do Before You Die**
1. **Travel to a Dream Destination**
Visit a place you’ve always dreamed of—whether it’s Paris, Tokyo, Machu Picchu, or a remote island. Experience another culture firsthand.
2. **Pursue a Passion Project**
Write a book, start a business, create art, or launch something you’ve always wanted to bring into the world.
3. **See the Natural Wonders**
Witness awe-inspiring places like the Northern Lights, the Grand Canyon, the Great Barrier Reef, or the Amazon Rainforest.
4. **Tell the People You Love That You Love Them**
Don’t leave important words unsaid. Express gratitude and love to the people who matter most.
5. **Face a Fear**
Do something that truly scares you—skydiving, public speaking, quitting a job that’s killing your spirit, or being vulnerable in a relationship.
6. **Help Someone in a Life-Changing Way**
Volunteer, mentor, donate, or support someone in a way that transforms their life. Even small acts can ripple.
7. **Learn a New Language or Skill**
Expand your mind—whether it’s learning to play an instrument, speaking another language, or mastering a craft.
8. **Reconnect with Nature**
Go on a solo hike, camp under the stars, swim in a mountain lake—something that grounds you and reminds you how small (and lucky) we are.
9. **Leave Something That Outlives You**
Write, teach, plant trees, raise kind children—anything that echoes after you’re gone.
10. **Live Authentically**
Be true to yourself, live by your values, and don’t wait for “someday.” Make peace with who you are, and live like you mean it.
Would you like a more adventurous, spiritual, or minimalist take on this list?
I liked the response you got from ChatGPT better,,,
Thanks for sharing your morning routine Bob. Very inspiring. Your shocking realization was also instructive. I am guessing the difference in our AI results is that CHAPGPT knew you a little better than it knows me. A little creepy, but also instructive.
Thanks for all you have done for the Kingdom of God Bob. I don’t take that for granted. I think most people touched by you would agree.
Hey Scott,
I’m a ChatGPT/Artificial Intelligence neophyte, but I suspect that your results reflected what you’ve digitized about yourself in the past. I am assuming that my query was filtered through my own test-drives of the AI app and the spiritual focus of those searches. I do not believe that ChatGPT has a biblical/Christian “bent,” but – instead – is seeking to merge the world of swirling content found in the larger Web with the personally unique – as best exposed through one’s own keyboard actions – nature of the inquisitors…
We’re all learning, but I was intrigued by the satisfying aggregation of thought found in what it fed back to me!
Spooky! Yet, provocative! And….. a bit convicting. NO! Very convicting. Bob, as always, timely, relevant & helpful. As we say here, “Mahalo nui loa”.