The phrase “bucket list” became quite well known after release of the 2007 movie with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman with that title. The film depicted two cancer patients who decided to set off on adventure to fulfill some of their dreams.
Most people have their own private bucket list. It may be only stored in their mind, or written down on paper or in a journal, but most of us have some sort of list of things we feel we must try to do before we die. Why wait until cancer strikes? And for too many of us it will; cancer is endemic in America. Start creating your bucket list now and work toward fulfilling some of your strongest wishes for experiences. Carpe diem!
Some people live a life of adventure and go through numerous “bucket lists” during their lifetime. They finish off one list and start another bucket list to work on. Others slowly go through life achieving their bucket list items over many decades and perhaps failing to do all of the things they so desired to do.
It gives a bit of focus to life to actually create a bucket list. I first created one during an unfortunate time in my life when doctors were telling me they thought I might have ovarian cancer. I tried not to listen to them, but that warning must have sunk in a little because when I was having an MRI I started crying and then had the thought “Oh well, I’ve had an amazing life.” In that moment I sort of reconciled myself to the notion that I might be very ill and that thought really changed my life.
I ended up correct in my guess that I did not have a deadly illness, just a large benign tumor. But after the surgery while awaiting to find out if I had cancer I did create my first ever bucket list with some things I feel I just must do before I die.
Some of the items on the list have already been achieved and others are still pending. Some wishes are quite realistic and will be achieved and others are more challenging and who knows if they will ever be achieved.
Writing my bucket list helped me realize what is really important to me. Some things from the list that I’ve achieved already have made me quite happy. Thus far a few of the items I’ve achieved from my bucket list include: living near the ocean, publishing more of my writing, teaching high school, and living a more minimalistic and spiritual life.
There are a few more personal items that have been achieved too, and yet so many still to go. My bucket list is updated every now and then. There are some constants though, and they keep me forever wondering if I will achieve them.
Reading List
“1001 Places to See Before You Die” by Patricia Schultz
“1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die” by Peter Ackroyd
“100 Things to do Before You Die” by Dave Freeman
“101 Things to do Before You Die” by Richard Home
“The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die” by John Izzo
