These days everyone has a bucket list.
… you know, that list of things you want to do before you “kick the bucket.”
You have one, right?
I’ve been thinking about mine lately…
Last week my son spoke to his assembled classmates and professors during a college chapel. He told me afterwards that this had been on his bucket list.
I may be mistaken, but I suspect speaking in front of an audience of over three-thousand is NOT on your bucket list.
Ah, but my son has always been gifted with an abundance of stage presence, which he has developed over the years in front of audiences both large and small. For him, speaking to the entire student body of a small liberal-arts college was a realistic goal. And a commendable goal.
So I’ve been thinking … What items on my bucket list reflect my God-given talents, beliefs and passions?
Sure, my bucket list includes the sorts of entries you might expect: visit the volcanoes in Hawaii, explore castles in Scotland, ski the Matterhorn. Even a few quirkier items, such as trying abalone or learning to fence and sentimental items like camping with my (as-yet-nonexistent) grandchildren.
But I never thought seriously about the sorts of things that really define who I am, or that encompass what my purpose on this planet might be. (I do have a purpose beyond providing a lap for the cat, right?)
When discussing my son’s speaking accomplishment with my husband, he mentioned–in complete sincerity–that he dreams of preaching a sermon someday, and of leading a retreat. These goals are outside his normal sphere of operation (working in manufacturing) and his areas of expertise (mechanical and industrial engineering) but because of his background and skill set, they are realistic. A stretch, yes, but withing the realm of possibility–and more importantly, focused more on serving others than fulfilling some fantasy or self-indulgence.
Thanks for the guilt trip!
Actually, sharing these kinds of “bucket items” is a little intimidating. I mean, we’re talking about very personal dreams here. But here goes …
Some items that are (or should be) on my bucket list:
- Having a novel published (Note that this implies actually completing said masterpiece, which might be an item in itself.)
- Having a play published (I did write a melodrama, because I needed a script for my students to perform. The scary part is thinking about submitting it to a publisher.)
- Teaching a workshop at a writer’s conference
- Speaking at a retreat (If my husband can do it, so can I. Ha!)
- Writing a blog post that goes viral (because it says something worth saying that people need to hear)
- Writing a novel about a Bible character that inspires me (every now and then I contemplate some minor character mentioned in the Bible and think, “wouldn’t it be fascinating to write their story.”)
- Receiving fan mail that explains how I have made a difference in some reader’s life
Just for balance, how about a few items from my “I-hope-this-never-ever-happens” list as well:
- Becoming a celebrity (Paparazzi? No thank you!)
- Winning the lottery (Don’t need that kind of life-change. On the bright side, you can’t win if you don’t play.)
- Having my house selected for a Better Homes and Gardens feature (I don’t need that kind of stress)
- Making a guest appearance on Dirty Jobs (I don’t think I need to explain this)
There. Enough soul-baring for one day.
So, what’s on your bucket list?
Anyone brave enough to volunteer to be my guest blogger and tell us all a little about your list? (This means you, my talented writer friends.)
I might go right a blog about this right now. You made me think about things I haven’t done, that are way outside my comfort zone, but that I should do. God gives us certain talents for a reason.
Yes, he does, and we shouldn’t waste our talents. And yet, how often to fear or busyness keep us from attempting things. Sometimes we need to be brave enough to let others see our creative efforts. (or even our dreams)
I’m terribly sorry, but being a guest blogger on a friend’s blog is not on my bucket list. I don’t really have a bucket list, per se, but two things that would be on it if I did are to learn biblical Hebrew and Greek.
I can see you enjoying that! I think about it from time to time, but I wouldn’t say it’s on the list (unless sleeping with the book under your pillow really DOES work)
I’d like to silence all the nay-sayers and prove that perpetual motion can be achieved. Translation: I want to invent the machine that scientists and engineers say can’t be invented. If you and Herb can walk a mile in my shoes using gifts that are tangential to your gift sets, so can I:)
Preach it, brother! Oh wait, that is your gift. I think all Carters have an inventor’s gene in there somewhere. And lots of inventions proved “impossible” things are possible.
I do have a bucket list but I haven’t been quite so introspective about it. I would not have put being a guest blogger on a friend’s blog on it but I was just asked this weekend to do just that. Since your blog is the only I really read or respond to I find the invitation a bit intimidating, but I’ll give it a try. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Back to my bucket list, I would really like to go on a mission trip to a 3rd world country (or location). Our church goes to Peru each year so it is a realistic possibility at some point, maybe when the girls get a little older. Of course I too have all the typical travel wishes on my list as well. Maybe I should put more thought into it.
I guess God has his own bucket list for us, usually things we would never have come up with ourselves.
Wow, I really haven’t thought about this before. I get so wrapped up in the day-to-day, or the needs and goals of my children, I rarely think about my own long-term dreams. I’ll have to give it some thought. I’d be glad to do so on “paper” in the form of a guest blog post, if you’re still interested in having someone do that! 🙂
That would be great. It seems like everyone who responded was intrigued by this “outside the box” kind of bucket list idea. Maybe the thought process around it is more interesting than the items themselves.
I agree. People like to know the “why” and not just the “what.” I think you might have a blog series on your hands. 🙂
And it all started with a single comment my son tossed out during a brief conversation. I guess that means I’m learning to pay attention to the good ideas as they flit by.
Indeed. I’ve found myself thinking of this post repeatedly throughout the week, so I guess you struck a chord!
I guess it’s another way of considering what we really want to accomplish in life.
Hi, Lisa – I think Alison’s right. This sounds like a fascinating blog series! I always felt like my bucket list should be comprised of things I can “control” and work to achieve (with the Lord’s help, of course) and so the first things that pop into my head are:
–earn PhD in writing
–learn to speak French
–learn to play the cello
However, your comment about speaking at a conference is something that has intrigued me, but even further than that, my mind (and, let’s face it, imagination) has started to wander toward thoughts of starting a conference for women, to meet them where they’re at, encourage them, and spur them on their lives and walks with the Lord. So I suppose you could add that to the bucket list, but that’s something somewhat outside my control (translation: that is too big for me to undertake on my own!) and a list item I leave in the Lord’s hands. A great, thought-provoking post, Lisa. Thanks!
I am coming to realize that maybe we can say that God has his own bucket list for each of us: things that are a stretch, but that will bring great fulfillment if we achieve them. (and no doubt achieve his ends along the way in areas we will never know about)
I see no reason to believe the two bucket lists are mutually exclusive. I guess I will be pondering this for a while yet.
Indeed, I think that these two “lists” are mutually inclusive! 🙂
And the more “inclusive” they become, the better off we are pursuing them.