top of page
Search

The List of Life – What do we really do with forgotten dreams? - Recommendation for a book and a movie




A few years ago, I read a moving book called "The Wish List" by Lori Nelson Spielman.

It made me stop, breathe, and think about all the dreams I might have forgotten – dreams that were once so clear and important but were left behind amidst daily life, work, and pressures. It was a book that changed me. From that experience, I decided to gift it to my niece at the time. To this day, she reminds me how much it touched her.










Recently, I was reminded of this message when I watched the movie "The Life List" –

a heart-stirring story filled with emotional turmoil and many insights about what truly matters. This movie portrays characters who rediscover themselves, confront their dreams and missed opportunities, and explore what defines real happiness.



How much are we truly living our lives?

Like in many cases, we get swept up in life without stopping. The pressures, routines, and sometimes fears and compromises take over, and we forget the child in us who dreamed big or the young adult who wanted to change the world. The movie "The Life List" sends us on a journey into that forgetting and reminds us to rediscover what truly makes us happy.


Some quotes from the film reflect its central themes of love, dreams, and the characters' inner journeys:


"Life doesn't really begin until you start truly living it."A message illustrating that people often "exist" without truly living – and that the moment they dare to take risks and live differently is essential.


"True love is when you answer 'yes' to all the right questions."

This refers to four central questions the protagonist’s mother suggested considering:

  • Is he genuinely kind?

  • Can I share everything I have in my heart with him?

  • Does he help me be the best version of myself?

  • Can I imagine him as the father of my children?


"Being 'alive' isn't enough. You need to feel alive."

Said in the context of a character realizing she has been sucked into routine and lost her spark, with the movie focusing on her journey to regain it.


"This list isn't just about checking off items; it's about returning to who we truly are."

A reflection of the film’s core message – the list the character works on isn’t merely for completing tasks but for reconnecting with herself and what she believes in.

As a mother, I feel this message on such a deep level.Even as mothers, when we watch our children grow up in worlds full of expectations and pressures, I sometimes stop to ask myself – when was the last time my son paused and dreamed big?

When did he think about all the things that genuinely make him happy?And I know – it’s an important part of my role to remind my sons who they are and hold their hand when they might forget.


"The Life List" isn’t just a list of goals; it’s an opportunity to rebuild our happiness.

The movie "The Life List" is a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to remember, dare, and act for what truly matters to us.

Our dreams and happiness deserve space, even if it means changing the direction we’re heading in.

I warmly recommend watching it – because perhaps after you do, you’ll also have a sheet of paper where you’ll start writing your own life list. ❤️

Available now on Netflix.


 

Thank you for reading!I invite you to stay connected and join our community:

See you in the next post! 🌟

Ilana Cahana 

Personalized Teaching | Parent Counseling and Guidance | ADHD | Integrative Coaching for Children and Teens | Lectures for Parents and Educational Staff

For contact and scheduling an appointment:  

Phone  0535453350  



 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page