Creating a Bucket List

Definition of Bucket List – things you want to accomplish before you “kick the bucket.”

In 2007 Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman played in the Movie entitled “Bucket List.” The movie depicted two terminally ill men who escape from a cancer ward and head off on a road trip with a wish list of to-dos before they die. Since the release of this movie I have thought the idea is fabulous and seemingly simple…..just make a list of everything I want to do. So then I wonder….. Why has my list been empty for years? It is not that I have not tried. There has been something that has stopped me from committing to things I want. Is it my work? Busyness? Family commitments? Am I boring? Do I not have an adventurous spirit? Nope – it’s none of those. So what is it???

It’s my lack of commitment to me and my feelings and my wants and needs. All too often we put our lives into our motherly/womanly commitments and not into ourselves. Why don’t we as mothers, nurturers, givers do things for ourselves? This has definitely been a challenge for me. I give to others at work and home. Don’t get me wrong, I feel very privileged to have both of these beautiful opportunities in my life, but I often don’t look into the future because I am, too busy dealing with today.

For a long time I felt like this was ok. It was ok because today’s challenges were my focus and I am doing very well taking on the challenges. But then……. I tried to make a bucket list and I stared at a blank page which seemed like forever and…….. nothing. I kept coming back to practical, economical, and responsible and the same question…..what about the kids?

This commitment to others makes me a wonderful wife, mother and counselor. It makes me committed to the relationships around me and has given me assurance of quality relationships and love with the people that mean the most to me. It has also given me a job that I feel God has gifted me to with to empower others.

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With all this commitment to others I realized I needed to commitment to myself. It doesn’t mean that I drop my commitments to others but it does mean that I dream of things that “I” want. Things that interest me. Things that make me curious and excited. Places to go in the future that look like heaven on earth to me.

End result……I sat down and created a bucket list and it felt great. It was not practical or responsible. It doesn’t have a schedule or deadline. It is not child friendly or affordable. It’s fun and daring and I love it. It has no consideration for other’s needs, likes or wants. It is simply a list of things I would like to experience in life. It is a list of dreams based on MY wants.

I have no guarantee that I will ever vacation in Bora Bora or spend an entire Canadian winter in warm climates. But I am learning to dream and set goals. I am learning to listen to me.

I challenge all the busy moms out there to give your wants and dreams consideration. Think about what you want without considering if it works if there is time or if you can afford it. Try finishing the sentence…One day I want to ______________. Fill in the blank and then try again.

May your dreams create a Bucket List. May the process of thinking of YOU lead to fun events that are daring and based on your wants and dreams.