The idea of a bucket list has always
caused me concern. It’s not that thinking about the completion date of said list
bothers me. Rather, it’s that it smacks of a sort of desperation, of things that must be done before that deadline
(no pun intended). Like, “Before I die, I have
to hike the Pacific Crest Trail . . . visit the Taj Mahal . . . write a bestseller.” Also, to me, a bucket list suggests something
finite. Each time we check off an item, we empty our bucket a little more.
Eventually, it’s completely drained . . . and then we die.
I guess, for people who are planners
or goal-setters, traditional bucket-list thinking is fine. But for people like
me who sort of ride the river of life, bobbing and bouncing with the current, that
kind of thinking induces guilt. Like we’re rudderless if we don’t compile a list
and slackers if we don’t complete it.
So I’ve given it some thought and
have re-designed the bucket list for those like me. Traditional thinking is that
you fill a bucket with all the wonderful things you want to accomplish and then you empty it item by item. But for us less intentional folks, you start
with a completely empty bucket and fill it as you go. You leave yourself open
to experiences that you never considered. Sometimes you’re pleased or thrilled
with the results, sometimes disappointed. But wouldn’t it have been the same
with a pre-filled bucket?
All this bucket-thinking began with
reflection on the travels and events I've experienced over the past few months. I would
have never placed any of them on a pre-determined bucket list. They
weren’t sojourns to lofty or exotic destinations or grandiose fetes which would make the news. And yet I discovered places I
never knew existed, learned fascinating facts about the history of our country,
made dear new friends, enjoyed family moments, and took in awe-inspiring vistas. In fact, I had so many
bucketworthy experiences, I’m going to have to get a bigger bucket!
Some of the memorable items I've recently added to my bucket . . .
Amazing Luray Caverns in Virginia |
The luxurious Greenbriar Hotel in West Virginia. Did you know a government bunker was underneath it? |
Celebrating with family in Sunriver, Oregon |
Hiking in Sedona, Arizona |
A gorgeous sunset right here in Oklahoma! |
Metolius River, Oregon |
Fishing with grandsons ... |
in our own backyard (practically) |
For Walking Dead fans, a shot from the streets of Senoia, Georgia, where the show is filmed |
In Savannah,Georgia beautiful Forsythe Square |
In Atlanta, the desk and typewriter on which Gone with the Wind was created |
Also in Atlanta, a serene stroll through historic Oakland Cemetary |