Wednesday, January 19, 2011

BUCKET Listing. Start Living YOUR life.

Ask Yourself This: Do I Live, Or Simply Exist?
“Every man dies – Not every man really lives.” ~ William Ross

I am not really going to talk about a movie with Nicholson and Freeman in it. i have yet to see the bucket list movie. But as we know bucket lists were around before they were called bucket lists. basically they are lists of stuff to do before you die. the goal? To live a more fulfilled life and existence and get the most out of your stay on earth. Ideally its like RRSP's the earlier you create it the more you get from it. It reminds me of my friend in B.C Canada.
Gordon. I grew up with Gordon. he was this firey red head. But he dreamed of travel and experience. When his family moved to B.C he tagged along. I think partially for the adventure of it. He is an intelligent man, yet he never quite has the job you'd expect him to have. i mean that of course in the nicest of ways but what is a job but obligation and it doesn't matter what you have for one. ANYWAYS. I envied Gordon. He was always telling me of his trips to Japan ,New Zealand or what not. he has beautiful pictures of his travels. He once told me that he would never retire. he would rather experience the world while living and while he was young and able. I admired that and sadly yes. he had a point. i think of people making the best of things and traveling to Mexico when they are semi-retired and i hear them. "If only we were younger". I don't want to go to Mexico with a fanny pack and travel bit by bit having a mild adventure. I want to see everything and experience the place i am seeing. Not hang out on a resort in the sun. I can bake on a beach here. Moral of the story? Why not now? Why wait until the rides over before it gets interesting? why not start living right...now? Why not think of all the things to try and complete before its all over and we go on to experience more? If Life is a journey and not a destination then why not take the road less traveled?

So lets begin.. I am even going to bullet and underline...your lucky readers you.

The Boondocks Take on 
A Bucket List.
What is a bucket List?
Okay well, a bucket list is a list compiled of things you want to do before you die. Things like travel to _____. or Eat _____. or See or do____. These things can be small like Watch all harry potters in a weekend. To Drive from one end of the province to the other. To learning a new language or craft. 
I,Being me, did some research and found out what was on others bucket lists and see a frightful pattern. That pattern is that half the goals all look the same. I think people find a list compiled on the internet copy and paste it , print it off and start from there. Half of the self discovery of a bucket list(in my opinion) is catering it to you. Taking the time to compile a bucket list to start a bucket list. Custom to what you get out of it. You do not want to make a list and only see half of it you would  enjoy. You want to enjoy all 100%.  

Example. If i were afraid of heights and not into adrenalin why would I get enjoyment out of skydiving? why would it be number 45 on bucket list?

Other things on the bucket list to consider. Things to improve ones self. Like Make up with an enemy or Do something completely selfless. Think a walk remember by Nicolas Sparks. 

Getting The Most Out Of A Bucket List.
Documentation. Just today i was reading about my friend baking bread. I know what does that have to do with bucket listing and such, but hold on and find out. She mentioned that she had a photocopy of her great aunts recipe in her notebook. the photocopy was from a note book her aunt had that was passed on and meant a lot to her. A little piece of history if you will. Now imagine that your grandchildren, distant relatives or even complete stranger found a book of yours, the pages romantically aged and worn. inside was a crumpled piece of paper. your bucket list. and the pages? Written sloppy or neat the experiences you felt. your stories. your adventures. Imagine now, how much it would be worth to someone, how it could change their lives reading it. 

Take Time. Once your brain hurts from all the brain storming you are going to do, don't rush out and cross off things on the bucket list. Sure some things can be done more easily then others but it is no race and you want to enjoy the things you are going to do. 

Plan. Something are better done spontaneously.  Some are better planned. remember that although life.happens. If i were to go travelling or spend a bunch of money. i would kind of want the money and stability 1st.  

Review. As you complete the list. Review over things . keep it fresh in your mind and ask yourself does it fit me still? if not....change it. why not? 

Adding. Add to the list. think of something you didn't put on before? add some more. Its your life right? its your bucket list. 

Creating The Bucket List.

Things you need.
-A legal pad. or piece of paper
-Pen,Pencil crayons,crayons whatever.
-A Journal or notebook
-Time

On the legal pad,or paper, start your number one item on the list. This is simple list a list with no huge detail. The details can be recored on the other list inside the notebook you have for journaling your experience. It is better to write it out then type it out as you get more of it and cyberspace and computers are not reliable sources. a notebook can never crash.

((like right there, Blogger crashed and I lost half of the finished product))

Then Grab that handy dandy Notebook and turn to the 5th page or so, and start writing down what you think when you read these questions. and you may or maynot want to add in the questions on the page:

What if you were to die tomorrow? What would you wish you could do before you die?
What have you always wanted to do but have not done yet?
What will you do if you have unlimited time, money and resources?
Any countries, places or locations you want to visit?
What are your biggest goals and dreams?
What do you want to see in person?
What achievements do you want to have?
What experiences do you want to have / feel?
Are there any special moments you want to witness?
What activities or skills do you want to learn or try out?
What are the most important things you can ever do?
What would you like to say/do together with other people? People you love? Family? Friends?
Are there any specific people you want to meet in person?
What do you want to achieve in the different areas: Social, Love, Family, Career, Finance, Health (Your weight, Fitness level), Spiritual?
What do you need to do to lead a life of the greatest meaning?

On the 1st few pages of the journal you can write down your number one Thing: Start a bucket list. from there relax and write down everything you can think of that you want to do. thinkof adventures you want to try and ways you can get the most our of your life. noone needs to judge you its your life! remeber to record a copy to carry with you at all times (hense the legal pad/paper)

Things to consider for your list:
Work: Starting a profitable, location-independent business doing what you love; finding work that gives you a sense of fulfillment; being among the best in the world in your field.

Family: Finding and marrying the love of your life; having a healthy, happy child; spending lots of quality time with your spouse.

Health: Having the energy and strength to do everything you want; to look and feel fit; to age well.

Contributions: Spending a year abroad with the Peace Corps; volunteering at a homeless shelter; mentoring a disadvantaged youth.

Finances: Having a million dollar investment portfolio; having multiple sources of passive income; having enough money to be able to finance your life goals.

Personal Development: Having the ability to hit the "pause button" and choosing your attitude in any situation; learning to forgive; having a happiness project.

A list of Bucket Lists
Think of all the kinds of sections your bucket list could have!
Sports/Athletics Bucket List
Languages Bucket List
Music, Song, and Dance Bucket List
Adventures to Go On Bucket List
Places to See Bucket List
World Festivals Bucket List
Hobbies Bucket List
Books to Read Bucket List
Movies to Watch Bucket List
Personal Development Bucket List
Education Bucket List
People You Would Like to Meet Bucket List
Financial Bucket List
The High Life Bucket List
Family Bucket List
Dwelling Bucket List
Spirituality Bucket List
Contributions Bucket List
Vocation/Career Bucket List
Writer's Bucket List
Things You Want to Audition For Bucket List
Hit the Big Time Bucket List
Spectator Bucket List
Sport Events to Attend Bucket List
Food and Drink Bucket List
Holiday Bucket List
Supernatural Bucket List
"Just Because" Bucket List

Take ACTION! 
If you want. photocopy your list and post it somewhere you will see it every day. review the list. take action and start. be a do'er. Start enjoying and celebrating life! your only here once right?

Get Inspired,Change your Life,Start Living.

Stay Crafty,



4 comments:

  1. This is a wonderful outline for those of us dragging their feet on compiling a bucket list! I knew I was in trouble when I sat down to start mine recently and didn't have a clue. Crossroads of life, transitioning past being a mom now that the nest is empty to having time to be me and trying to figure out who "me" is! Love the questions, thanks for the advice and jumpstart!

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  2. i am super glad that i helped out somebody. yeah i thought i would share my work. my process is to love myself and to love myself we just got to get to know each other 1st. loving myself is a process and apart of that process is learning to love your life, the one you are living and breathing right now. ALL THE luck my friend!

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  3. I saw this on Cordelia's page and had to read. It all sounds like a wonderful thing to do. My whole thing is that I'm afraid I will start one list, start in on something else, start another list..remember the first list and go back to it, get sidetracked again and well.....you see where I'm goin lol. Thats one reason I love getting on my blogpage and writing and reading fellow writers thoughts...it helps those creative thoughts calm down some. Maybe for the Bucket list though I will just start with a Post It note

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  4. I LOVE post it notes that is inspired! great idea!!

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