Saturday, July 30, 2011

A Bucket List

A bucket list is a set of goals you'd like to accomplish before you kick the bucket. The following are some things I think about doing. A lot. They are some of the goals on my bucket list.

1. Visit Israel, New Zealand, and New York
I've always wanted to visit Israel since I was little for its spiritual significance, its history, and its culture. I've desperately wanted to go white water rafting in Rotorua, New Zealand, for several years. I also want to spend a week in New York just attending Broadway shows and experiencing the city that never sleeps.

2. Skydive
I have a serious fear of heights, so doing this will put the final stamp on me conquering that fear.

3. Go totally blonde
I've been a brunette my whole life and just once, I want to see if it's true that blondes have more fun.

4. Surf successfully without my knees shaking
No boogie board stuff here. I want to stand on a longboard, hit the wave just right, and ride it through in true surfer fashion.

5. Go horseback riding again.
I grew up with horses. I used to break and train them in college. While still in college, I had a horseback riding accident and broke my neck. Thank the Lord I wasn't paralyzed, but I did have a lengthy recovery time. Haven't ridden since. It's time to get back in the saddle.

6. Run in the Boston Marathon
I think with perseverance, I can get there. A friend who's already run it twice has offered to run it with me. Oooooh- my body trembles a little at the pain it will go through, but I would LOVE that feeling of accomplishment.

7. Start a program to give homeless kids support and education
In my career, I've seen how much value even a little support, whether it be educational, emotional, spiritual, or financial can have in the life of a homeless child. So when I retire in a few years, I've got a plan in place I want to follow towards this goal.

8. Learn to dance, Bollywood style
I love the style of dancing and the costumes. I think it would be great fun.

9. Visit my beloved Mexico again without any concerns about the violence.
I grew up hearing my great grandparents, my grandparents, and my mom speak so lovingly of their homeland, Mexico. We've made many visits there, but haven't been lately and will not be able to go in the foreseeable future because of the horrendous violence.  The border areas we used to frequent are some of the worst. My heart breaks for Mexico.

Some of these are fairly lofty goals, but you won't have lofty achievements unless you have lofty goals. I would love for my last words on this earth to be, "No regrets."

What's on your bucket list? You know, the only thing that makes something impossible is you thinking that it is.

16 comments:

  1. I enjoyed your bucket list, Shelly! I could easily go for laughs and make up a humorous list but instead I'd like to answer seriously. I watched Rob Reiner's movie a few years ago and enjoyed it. Ever since then I've tried to come up with a bucket list of my own. It might seem very strange to you but I really can't come up with one. I've done some traveling in my life and there aren't any other places that I'm dying to see. I have had some interesting experiences and would have no regrets if I never added to them. I suppose my mind is geared toward taking what comes my way each day and making the most of it. I love to take a situation that arises, summon my skills and resources, and see if I can make it better right there on the spot. I am very much a believer that fast, appropriate, massive action can move mountains. Perhaps moving mountains should go on my bucket list! (LOL)

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  2. Shady: I think it's a testament to a life well lived when you can be at the spot where you are. I think your attitude is spot on- making the most of what you have each day. If we all had more of that mindset, we'd be a lot farther along in this journey. Moving mountains is something I'm sure you are well capable of, my friend!

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  3. You have a great list, Shelly. I dyed my hair blonde once and it turned orange! I hope you have better luck than me. Bollywood dancing would be a lot of fun as would traveling.
    Like Shady, I don't have a list, although for different reasons. We don't have much money so I can't foresee being able to do much. If we did, I would love to see Europe one day - it would be #1 on a bucket list.

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  4. You could totally go blonde!! You look halfway there already! Just lighten up a little more each time! I'd be interested in doing it one day too, always been dark, no one would recognize me!

    I find bucket lists interesting to read. It tells a lot about a persons and their interests.

    I guess I'm not very interesting. I have no desire to write a bucket list. My kids give me enough adventure!! haha!

    I met a priest once, who was a missionary priest living back and forth from MN to Guatemala and he's actually adopted several boys down there and helped them out. Anyway, he'd been placed back in MN in a Tin-Buck-Too little town in the middle of no where. I asked him where he likes to live best (he's from MN) and his answer was a well thought out answer "Wherever I am, I like it best."

    I loved that answer and hope that we all get to that place where we can be happy with our lives and be ready at any moment to die and be ready to choose God at that moment. To be happy wherever we are.

    Very interesting post Shelly!

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  5. Belle: Orange- oh no! I so hope it doesn't happen to me! I also hope you get to Europe some day-

    Jamie Jo: That's a really good idea- to do it a shade lighter each time. Wouldn't freak people out if it's gradual. I love what that priest said. I'm going to remember that. And yes, I try to live my life, totally prepared to go home with the Lord if that is His will. Great advice!

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  6. enjoyed your bucket list.I don't have one,I will have to make one!

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  7. IWASNTBLOGGEDYESTERDAY: Please do! Would love to see it when you're done-

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  8. I also loved that movie and have watched it a number of times. Of course I am a "huge" Morgan Freeman fan and enjoy all his movies. I really don't have a bucket list either Shelly except for this new adventure I will be embarking on with being a student again for the first time in 44 years.

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  9. Odie: Your new adventure is a whole bucket list unto itself- congratulations!

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  10. Nuna: Great! There's an enormous need for it!

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  11. Fun post! I want to dance Flamenco on an intimate stage in Spain one day. :)

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  12. Crystal: Oh, Flamenco would be the bomb- I may have to add that to my list, too!

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  13. On my bucket list is to make a bucket list. Hold on, YOU WANT TO GO SKYDIVING???Ahh!!!!!!! Also? Blondes don't have more fun. I'm sure of it. Brunettes RULES, blondes drool! :)

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  14. I would like to help with Habitat for Humanity program. As much as I like skydiving, I have asthama and I might end up causing problems. I wanted to make a post about my bucket list but since I have multiple health problems and lately I have been getting forgetful, I might end up scaring my whole family. They may just think that I am dying. This is Munir over here at Focus. I am not able to put my name as a follower. I love to read your posts.

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  15. Kelley: LOL- I've had lots of fun in my life as a brunette, but my blonde sister still tells me blondes are better!

    Munir: You are so kind- I love your gentle spirit. It inspires me. Thank you- you put a big smile on my face!

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