Have you ever Googled “bucket list”? According to Google, about 104,000,000 results are available to you: definitions of, examples of, inspirational stories of — whatever your heart desires when it comes to bucket lists, you can find it on the Internet.
What is a “bucket list”? According to Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary, “bucket list” is “a list of things that one has not done before but wants to do before dying.” The concept has spawned an entire industry of books in the genre of “things to do before you die” (506,000,000 impressive results returned with this search through Google).
Is a handbook of ideas on how to enjoy life really necessary? Would Mary Oliver turn to a “how to” book on how to live her “one wild and precious life”? Not that lists are a bad thing in and of themselves (says someone with borderline-OCD list-making tendencies). The satisfaction gained from crossing off an item to confirm its demise or completion is satisfying indeed.
Back to bucket lists, though.
Surprisingly, this is one list I have not formally created. I have my home improvement list, my grocery list, a list of places I would like to travel, the list of digital photo albums I still have yet to make, and so forth. I do not have a bucket list of life, though.
Recently, I experienced a medical complication that caught me off-guard. I felt as if I had happened to lean over as the bullet went whizzing by, and then stood up initially oblivious that a gun had been fired. The fact I have not had such an experience until my late 40’s has me counting my blessings; but at any age, I suspect it gives a person pause.
I spent an afternoon in the emergency room but, with gratitude, was released home for outpatient treatment. I watered my gardens, did some laundry, ran a couple errands. In other words, I went on with my life as scheduled. Every day has a question mark next to it, and there are simply some days when that question mark seems to be written in pen more than pencil.
As I watered my gardens, deadheading some flowers, yanking some weeds that were done flowering and no longer passable as cottage garden guests, a bumblebee stung me. I apparently disturbed it as it was collecting pollen from my past-their-prime flowering weeds. I brushed off the poor thing, and it shakily flew off to continue its work. It was merely reacting to a threat, I felt no ill will. No point in harming it further. The small swelling on my arm would fade soon enough. And I went on with my work, as well.
Puttering in the garden, examining the world at dirt-level, is quite therapeutic. The mind can wander as it takes in the delicate details of Nature’s work, formed or assisted by (wo)man’s hands here and there.
Spending some time that evening in the garden, I reflected upon my life until now. I began drafting this post and then happened to read Kathy’s post on Lake Superior Spirit that posed the question: what would you do if you knew you only had 30 days left to live? Put another way, what would you put on your bucket list?
Whether it be 30 days or 30 years, go ahead and do the things you have dreamed of doing — travel to exotic locales, bungee jump or skydive (while I watch you from below!), splurge on something that gives you pleasure, pay it forward in a meaningful way. Make a list if that is your style, but leave some space between the lines. The spaces are always there, even if your bucket list changes over time, and even when the page ends before your list is complete. Within those bucket list items — before, after and in between each line item — life happens. Experiences are wonderful, adventures are memorable, but the real guts of life are contained in the moments. Moments happen; they are not something one reserves, creates, or purchases.
With a pen in hand, gleefully striking off one item and looking to the next one, don’t forget to pause in between, and take some time to stop and smell the roses — even if a bumblebee happens to take offense. Simply nod and step aside, begging its pardon, and go on your separate ways, living and enjoying the moments each day holds.
Ciao! ~ Kat
Travel. Garden. Eat. 
39 responses to “Don’t Let Your Bucket List Get in the Way of Life”
Well said indeed! Wise words (and I love the bee!).
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Thank you, bluebrightly. Once in awhile my little point-and-shoot comes through for me especially well!
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Well said Kat. I don’t really have a bucket list either, although like you I cannot function without my daily lists!! 🙂
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Another kindred spirit!
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You’re so right. Living in the moment is more important than checking off items on a list. In fact our “to do” list should be…making memories that will accompany us contentedly from this world. My bucket list is comprised of tongue-in-cheek, humorous things, that if they happened would be the icing on the cake. But I definitely wouldn’t sacrifice the cake for the icing. 🙂
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Well-put, hugmamma!
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Truth has a way of spilling forth without much effort…
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Beautifully written Kat! Somehow times goes faster the older we get, or so it feels to me now. Every moment is important.
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Indeed — the days may seem long, but the years fly by.
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Smelling the roses with you, Kat, and enjoying this precious day. Lovely post. Thank you for the link… 🙂
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Thank you for your posts — I always look forward to seeing you in my updates!
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Looks like we need to get together to ponder life’s little reminders to slow down and see the everyday beauty that surrounds us and catch up on why you had a visit to the emergency room. Talk to you soon.
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Scenic Cafe is always waiting for us!
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Beautiful! It reminded me of this quote attributed to Bil Keane that I saw recently: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.”
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Words that ring true, Karen — thank you.
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I feel pretty happy if I can get through half of a “to do” list, but you have given me something to consider. Thanks!
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There are some days we forget to be grateful for the half we’re able to get through! 🙂
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That is a really beautiful post, Kat!! Really touched the heart. You are so right, we are too busy chasing the things on our various lists, crossing out accomplishments and moving ahead immediately to score the next point that we do not really take time to smell the flowers along the way! This post just reminded me to take a much needed pause… Thank you!!
Hugs,
Sumithra.
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Sumirhra, so good to hear from you — and thank you for the comment. Hugs, K
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So true, Kat! Beautiful post.
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Thank you, Ruth!
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Glad to hear you “dodged a bullet.” Those experiences definitely help put life into perspective. I agree that the joys of life truly happen within everyday moments–often in unexpected places and times. The beauty of a bucket list is that it allows you to dream, hope and plan… and I love your idea of letting life fill in the gaps between those bucket list, mountaintop experiences. Thanks so much for the reminder!
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Reality checks are good — tomorrow is always tenuous. But you are right that there is fun in the dreaming and planning, too — as long as it doesn’t overwhelm the present.
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Thought-provoking post, Kat! I really enjoyed it. I try to live in the moment most of the time, and I don’t have a bucket list. I’m not sure if I only had 30 days or 30 months left to live, that I would do anything different, other than visit family more and spend time in nature – which I do plenty of now anyway! The Bucket List movie, was of importance since viewing it deeply on a spiritual level (not religious) brought about pondering the real experience of life. Not about checking off a list, but finding a place of peace and love.
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I enjoyed the Bucket List movie, as well, for the same reasons. Thanks for the reminder — I should watch that one again.
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Hi, Kat! While reading your post, I remember the book of Mitch Albom “Tuesdays with Morrie”.. You’re right, the lists and desires are relative and sometimes non sense against the meaning of life and being aware of beauty around us.
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I may need to dust that one off again. One of those books that I suspect has different gems of wisdom for different stages of life.
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Kat, pondering my response with a bit of a rush of tears in my eyes and tumbling thoughts as you once again nailed in your beautifully written way so many true and sage life wisdoms…it may have been just the beautiful simplicity of the emotions evoked by the hiking photo of the John and your son and their held hands in that beautiful setting….thinking of the scare you had….scares in my own life, thinking of things not done but yet thinking of the moments lived as life moves forward and yes the sting of the bee (had my first one a couple of weeks ago too and as you brushed it by). So here is to today and with gratitude Cheryl
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Hugs, Cheryl and thank you!
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every once in a while something happens that jars my world, like your trip to the emergency room–and it makes all those everyday boring tasks like watering your garden and doing laundry jewels in the passage of life–you grasp their everydayness, the option of still being able to carry on and the gratitude that the worst did not happen and hamper you
-loved this whole post but do not beleive in bucket lists, I believe in life lists
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I like that — “life list”! Thanks for your comment Louann.
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We all should spend more time being in the moment rather than holding out for all the ones we try to forward plan!
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Only the moment is guaranteed!
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This was a great, thought-provoking post, Kat. Your ending advice” to take some time to stop and smell the roses” is worth repeating again and again. We sometimes get so caught up in matters of the Future that we completely overlook the Present. The 1st item of every bucket list should be “Enjoy the Day.”
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Exactly — sometimes easier said than done, but “enjoy the day” should become a mantra.
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Kat, beautifully put and a great reminder of what is truly important in life. Lovely post.
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Appreciate the comment, Tahira. Thank you.
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After a significant surgery one of the things that we did in our rehab group was to create a bucket list…that was 8 years ago. I am still checking things off that list.
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I am glad to hear it, Charlie!
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