Life has to be lived. It sounds redundant, but many people spend huge chunks of their time thinking about their lives without actually living it. That’s like having a fancy car that you never drive because your too afraid to wreck it. The parable in the Bible of the man who buried his treasure in the ground, seems appropriate. I am supposed to spend my life, not hoard it. And, what I spend my life doing is a critical choice. My life’s accomplishments are supposed to be a demonstration of my unique, God-given, personal identity. Whoever I was created to be, I should do those things that correspond to that identity. Therefore, my bucket-list should not be an attempt to brag about myself. But, it should express who I am in visible, recognizable, concrete terms.
Bike Around the Earth
Camp in all 58 Counties of California
Camp in each of the "Lower 48" States
Camp the 51 National Parks in the "Lower 48"
For too many people it takes a terrifying illness, hitting retirement age, or some other life-altering event to honestly begin thinking about all the things to do before death. I’m no different. Often, it will then be too late to turn these dreams into a reality. My life is uncertain, and I will undoubtedly be thrown curveballs throughout. I cannot be sure that in ten or twenty years I will be physically, emotionally, or financially able to do all of the things that I want to do.
Why did I make a “Bucket List”? Because I want to live, and live it abundantly! That takes intentional action. In 2019, I started this adventure by buying a 3-wheel, e-bike, hand-cycle. I purchased it online/over the phone and without any guarantee I could actually operate it. The result has been greater than I could have imagined.
So, how did I choose the items on my “Bucket List”? They come from my heart. Therefore, I don’t pass judgment on what I think my abilities are! I have been surprised at what I can actually accomplish. People put limitations on themselves by thinking that they can’t do incredible things or because the big picture of an aspiration seems so overwhelming. I don’t want to make that mistake.
