Bucket list

Just about everyone talks about the proverbial bucket list. You know, that is the list of things you intend to do prior to your demise. I have to admit before going any further that I personally made a bucket list a few years back when I thought cancer was going to shorten my life. I love the bucket list philosophy however there is one tidbit of concern when formulating such a task. HOW FULL IS YOUR BUCKET NOW.

Our lives are surrounded, filled up, over the top, cramped full, twisted and bent, off the charts with schedules and commitments that there is absolutely no way to ad a dang bucket list to the endless endeavors we already face. Sound familiar? Sure it does and depressing too.

That is exactly why our lives take us to the point of needing a bucket list in the first place. Our passions have been replaced by calendars so full that our daily walk through life is as predicable as the sunrise. We are prisoners of our own devices. Sure, the bucket list sounds like something we would like to do when we get close to retirement or it is something nice to see from those poor souls suffering terminal illness, but it just isn't for you right now.

Look, let's make this a call to action! Life is short and changes ever so fast. If it is your desire to somehow get control of what little life you still have then go ahead and make the bucket list. Not THE bucket list but a smaller much more important version of it. 

Clear the clutter so you can see the walls and breath again. Stop committing to things you know for sure will cause nothing but grief, resentment, anger, and anxiety. It is better to say no and stay in control. Next, fall in love with yourself. Wait a minute folks this is very important and crucial to your healing process. You must love yourself in order to gain some semblance of control from this runaway train. As bad as this sounds go take a look in the mirror. Is the magic and twinkle you once had staring back at you? If not then start today finding little ways to love the body you inhabit. This may sound trivial but it will eventually poke holes in your bucket and allow you to drain the funk that has risen to the top. Life is a challenge but victory is possible. Remember if you can't love yourself enough to change your life in a positive way no one else can love you enough either. Don't believe me? Go back to that mirror and have a meaningful dialogue with the person looking back at you. 

The next point in the bucket drain is to have some fun. Life use to be fun but somewhere along the way we allowed our already busy lives to get busier. My fault, your fault, his fault, whoever's fault, just slow down and smell the roses. Have fun, be silly, be adventurous, get on the edge to fill the adrenaline others talk about. You deserve to be daring. Who knows it just might be the push you need.

Finally get your spiritual house in order. Notice I did not say religious I said spiritual. That could mean finding a nice church to attend and get involved with. It could mean simply getting in tune with the love that God has placed all around us. It could mean learning the power of forgiving and living. What ever it means I urge you to get that aspect of your life under control. Please understand your spirituality and faith is just that YOURS. No one else feels what you feel inside so take the time and effort to develop that area of life. I will say with conviction that you cannot build a strong foundation without a good solid spiritual core. 

Ok folks this may take one month, one year, or five years. The length of time it takes is not near as important as getting started. Once you get out of the gate each breathing moment you get closer to victory. Remember none of us can go backwards to make a new beginning however we can start today to make an awesome ending. 

Now you can make the bucket list of things you want to do before you die. For me, I wanted to go skydiving, swing lining, mountain climbing, and most of all complete an ironman. Well time is wasting I better go hit the road and get my run in or I will be all talk and no action. 

peace to you

Dale