Creating a bucket list has become something that you hear referenced to pretty frequently. Basically the entire concept is that you create a list of things that you want to do or experience before you “Kick the Bucket” as the say. While the idea is inspiring and motivational, to many times people create the list thinking that they have all the time in the world later on in life and never actually get around to doing very little if anything at all on their list.
Usually it’s because the simple every day responsibilities of life either get in the way or they make you lose focus on what you think is most important in life. The items on the list end up taking a back seat to other pressure in life. So, what is the most important thing? Career? House? Marble Counter Tops? Car?
Well, the simple answer to that is YOU are the most important. YOU have the ability to take control of your life and do exactly what you want to do with it. Many times it’s easier to make excuses of why you can’t or shouldn’t do what you want either because of society’s pressures or to mask the burning desire within because for some reason you have told yourself that you haven’t earned it yet.
Is it easy to make a shift and focus on you, no but you have to begin somewhere so why not now. Of course there will always be priorities and responsibilities, but you’ll be amazed at the shift in your life that happens when you let yourself be immersed in your interests and passions in life. The point is to just start.
Travel for most people is one of the largest areas of interest that they want to do more of. There’s an entire world out there just waiting to be explored and has your name all over it. As the other saying goes, you can’t take the “things” with you but your will always have the experiences and memories forever. This is why one of the biggest shifts to the “Bucket List” concept is rapidly taking place. More and more people are spinning that concept in a positive way and creating a “Live It” list. The concept is pretty simple. Create a list of all the things your want to live and experience and start making them a reality now. Travel is usually always a dominant force and focus on most people’s list.
YOU should stand in the center of Times Square eating a New York hot dog. YOU should be hiking in Machu Picchu. YOU should be in that hot air balloon over the Golden Gate Bridge. YOU should be on a cruise on your way to Hawaii. YOU should be posing in front of the Eifel Tower and picking your gondola in Italy. YOU should be whitewater rafting with your kids or on a glass top train with your other half traveling through the majestic wilderness of Alaska. YOU should be on a tour of Germany’s castles. There’s some magnificent continuous transformation that happens to your inner soul when it escapes to the beauty of the world and is able to connect with the surroundings.
There is something very powerful about traveling that is explainable. It’s a combination of the different geographical sceneries, cultures, foods, activities and of course the people that makes every city and region of the world unique. One of the best things that you can add to your list is a few things that take you on a different path than what you would usually choose. There’s a reason you chose where you are headed to so of course take part in those activities or experiences, but also throw in a few things that you wouldn’t normally choose. The things you will reveal and learn about yourself are monumental.
The sooner you are able to realize that you deserve to experience and travel to the places you desire, the sooner they will happen. The worst thing you can do is tell yourself, “maybe one day”. Instead, try picking a date, planning it, booking it, and then doing it. There will always be things that come in life to take you away from your list unless you get them planned today. Ask yourself this, you schedule and keep your appointment for an oil change for the health of your car, so don’t you think scheduling a trip or experience and keeping that appointment is important for the health of yourself? The answer is yes.
Keep in mind that “you”, can relate to you individually or for the circle that encompasses you like family, friends, other half’s, kids, etc. The entire point is to take the time for yourself with and without others to fulfill the joy and spirit of what makes you tick. The mindset tends to be very contagious and most of the time those around you start to make adjustments themselves, but while it’s great if friends catch on, remember the focus is fulfilling your path for you.
The sooner you start living your life now, traveling to those destinations that have always been put on the backburner or “wish list”, truly immersing yourself in the world and all it has to offer, and soaking in the healthy doses of fulfillment, accomplishment, joy, and soul lifting happiness, the more you will continue to make your “Live It” list a regular reality. The shift in your life will be noticed in many different areas, all because you started to take focus on what’s truly important.
There’s even a few great books that will get your juices flowing as they discuss some of the most amazing places to see in your lifetime. Beautiful, inspiring, and motivational to say the least.
(images:Sunrise From English Boom- Camano Island,WA, hot air balloons, Machu Picchu, Peru, Mont Saint-Michel Castle – HDR)