Monday: Question of the Week

After a recent conversation with an incredibly dear friend of mine, I was reminded that once in my life, not so long ago, I was absolutely filled to overflowing with dreams of things I wanted to do, people I wanted to meet and impact, places I wanted to explore, and adventures that were calling my name. Through a variety of life events and choices since then, slowly but surely, it seemed these ideas and dreams had dimmed and receded to a far off place in my mind.

For those of you who know me more intimately, you know that this past year has been a pretty tough one for me, and yet, I am so hopeful about what my future holds. Since my conversation with my friend, something in me has been reignited... hope. Hope about the future; hope about where my life will go, who I will meet, what I will do.

Thus, today's question of the week is inspired by the idea of a "bucket list." A bucket list (inspired by the movie) is basically a list of things you want to do before you die (or before you "kick the bucket," get it?). I have decided to personally share my own bucket list because I think that it is so inspiring to share our hopes and dreams and ideas with one another.


Therefore, today's question is: What is on your bucket list?

And here is my ever-expanding list:

1. Drink way too much wine in Italy.
2. Attend the Kentucky Derby (wearing an amazing hat and drinking a mint julep).
3. See the Bears beat the Packers in person.
4. Start a profitable, independent small business doing what I love and engaging my creativity.
5. Make a positive impact on a child.
6. Run a 5K.
7. Own a home that is inviting, warm and hospitable.
8. Marry my best friend (no rush on this one).
9. Truly experience in myself the attributes of grace, love, humility, confidence, patience, generosity, compassion, forgiveness, thankfulness, passion, joy, honesty, kindness, faithfulness, selflessness and gentleness.
10. Visit Montenegro
11. Experience weightlessness in one of those zero gravity flights.
12. Go camping.
13. Become a decentish cook.
14. Work in a job/vocation for which I am passionate.
15. Learn to throw pottery on a wheel.
16. Visit Prague with my husband.
17. Learn to play the harmonica.
18. Swim with dolphins.
19. Ride in a hot air balloon.
20. Ride in a small plane (biplane).
21. Fire a handgun.
22. Visit every state in the US.
23. Travel by rail in Europe.
24. Live in Paris for at least one month.
25. Invest into the community in which I live.
26. Make a true sacrifice for another.
27. Find myself surrounded by positive, life-affirming people whom I love.
28. Buy a car with cash.
29. Travel to South Africa.
30. Teach a college course.
31. Meet a president (preferably one I somewhat like).
32. Experience Oktoberfest in Germany.
33. Climb the Statue of Liberty.
34. Own a dog.
35. Learn to sail.
36. Read every Pulitzer Prize winning book in the Fiction category.
37. Watch every movie that has won the Palme d'Or at Cannes.
38. Find a hobby which I enjoy.
39. Become an early riser... maybe.
40. Get a PhD.
41. Get paid to blog.
42. Act as a lead in a play.
43. Go jet skiing in the ocean.
44. Own original artwork I love (not necessarily that is crazy expensive).
45. Design/decorate a home.
46. Have a large family and raise children who are accepting of others.
47. Adopt.
48. Go on a canopy tour (zip line between trees).
49. Play flag football in a league.
50. Join a book club.
51. Contribute to a published book.
52. Whale-watch.
53. Mush a dog sled.
54. Go on a safari.
55. Live in a converted barn.
56. Practice meditation.
57. Make my own sangria.
58. Learn to surf (this will be difficult considering salt water makes me vomit, literally).
59. Run down a mountain really, really fast (again).
60. See Jason Mraz live.
61. Learn not to interrupt others (truly listen).
62. Stop judging others (and accept myself).
63. Go a year without television (excluding Bears games, sorry that is a sacrifice I am unwilling to make).
64. Go to the airport, look at the Flight Schedule Screen, pick a destination, and go.
65. Stick to a budget successfully.
66. Ride a camel in Egypt.
67. Volunteer for a non-profit organization.
68. Ride through Central Park in a horse-drawn carriage.
69. Share my life with others.
70. See a show on Broadway.
71. Be serenaded on a balcony.
72. Embrace my wrinkles, spots, bulges, and other various signs of living (and aging) well.
73. Sit up straight.
74. Practice yoga.
75. Laugh every single day.
76. Cry without shame.
77. Communicate well (openly and honestly) with those I love.
78. Visit a volcano.
79. Find a mentor.
80. Be a mentor.
81. Learn the art of surrender.

Okay, so apparently I could go on and on since this is the list I have made in the past hour. So I am going to STOP, and you are going to START. GO!!! And please do share.