Gotta Bucket List?

Stacia's Bucket List

Today is NATIONAL BUCKET LIST DAY. I sat down to write a post about bucket lists yesterday and decided I didn’t have anything to say about them. Then… I saw that today is a day dedicated to this popular term. Doesn’t the internet REQUIRE us to comment on this?? (joking!)  It did get me wondering…How did bucket list enter our vernacular?

I first remember hearing this term when the movie, “The Bucket List” with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman was released. The two terminally ill men head out on a road trip with a list of things they want to accomplish before they die. You might even say this is the antidote to their grief.

Since then, I would casually comment, “That’s on my bucket list” whenever someone mentioned an experience or trip that sounded interesting to me. Until recently, I didn’t have anything written down, but I did have a running list in my head. Trips would get mentally added while reading travel articles, seeing friends’ social media posts or hearing about an amazing location during a conversation.

I now have a written Bucket List which was a brain dump of the places I want to visit. It includes easily achievable weekend jaunts and places that will be a stretch due to time, distance or costs. But as my Daddy used to say, “It doesn’t cost anything to dream.” I think he meant it as a dream killer, but dreaming is powerful. Dreaming introduces possibilities and can induce hope.

I love to travel! Specifically, I love to learn and experience beauty in nature, architecture, art, music, food, traditions and people. Going to new places broadens your world! It opens new neural pathways for growth and development.

Since losing Matt, travel has brought hope, joy and learning. It has gotten me out of my places of sadness, opening up opportunities and providing forward movement. My trip to three National Parks in California with a friend inspired the image (Giant Sequoia) as well as the jewel tones (painting of Yosemite) for my Surthrival logo. We also met fellow travelers who told us of their favorite places to visit that got added to my bucket list. Travel inspires! It opens our minds to creative thoughts and ideas.

A Bucket List is about hope…hope for the future, hope for joy and growth. It’s about dreaming and planning for new adventures.

So, what’s on your Bucket List?

Dare to dream! It’s free and powerful!