I really enjoyed the 2007 movie “The Bucket List,” with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. In this film, billionaire Edward and working class mechanic Carter have nothing in common, except for their terminal illnesses. While sharing a hospital room together, they decide to leave it and do all the things they have ever wanted to do before they kick the bucket – their “bucket list”.
The problem with the “bucket list,” for most of us, is that it can be a someday, maybe, if I ever get around to it before I die sort of list and as such, most of it will never happen. And, the majority of us do not have the unlimited resources of billionaire Edward Cole that would allow us to go hike the Himalayas on a whim, or whatever the dreams may be.
To Hell With The Bucket List
Ever since I saw the Lord of the Rings trilogy, I added an item on my own list to visit and explore New Zealand, where those amazing movies were filmed. My good friend Jerry has a Bed and Breakfast there and has been inviting me to come visit for a few years now. I always say, “Yes, yes, someday – it’s on my list.” but have not really made a plan to go. I usually buy into the limited thought patterns of, “I’m too busy,” or, “I can’t afford it,” and so on. Perhaps you can relate.
Recently, while having lunch with Jerry in Santa Barbara, we came up with a novel idea: I’ll do web marketing work for him to help him build his Bed and Breakfast business, but instead of cash (I DO still work for cash), he will make monthly deposits into an account toward a plane ticket for me to New Zealand. This way, I can go in March of 2013 for an entire month! I’ll visit with him and also travel a bit in his RV. As well, it’s one of the best times of year to be there, yeah!
Something profound shifted in me after making this plan – a realization that waiting for the ideal time or listening to my mind’s excuses for why I can’t do something may NOT be in my best interest. I sparked within myself a passion for travel and exploration that I have not allowed in myself since I was in my carefree twenties. Also, I rekindled a sense of what is possible for my life, far beyond what I normally accept as my limitations.
I realized a core practice of passionate living is to “turn can’ts into cans, and dreams into plans,” as I recently saw as a quote on Facebook. The story that I cannot afford the time or money to go to New Zealand is just that – a story – an interesting perspective – but just a story. The can’t becomes a can when I make a choice to set aside the funds and time to do it. And the maybe, someday, the bucket list dream becomes a plan when I put it on the calendar and set things in motion to allow that dream to come into being. My next step will be to create a simple vision board with images of New Zealand to inspire me to keep the dream alive, and as something more than just a dream.
What is one thing on your “bucket list” that you are willing to actually put on your calendar and make a plan for it to become real? Even if it takes years to realize, I hope you will take my story above as a bit of inspiration. I, for one, wish to look back from my kick the bucket day and say, “Damn, I’m glad I did those things while I was younger and able to.” Join me now in saying “to hell with the bucket list” of someday, maybe, not likely. Lets turn our “can’ts into cans and dreams into plans!”
If you are really feeling bold (why not?), add your own plan in the comments below. Remember, you can always change the details later, just put it on the calendar now. And perhaps join me for a hike in the mountains of New Zealand in March of 2013!
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