Livin' Rich

Ever since I heard of a bucket list (when the Jack Nicholson movie came out a few years ago), I have been interested in them, and even drawn up a couple at various times. Earlier this year I was inspired to make a 2013 Life List when I saw another blogger do it, and accomplishing the items on the list has been exciting! So this evening I was updating my list and adding a few items to next year's list, and I happened upon bucketlist.org. As I read down several of the lists of things people have included on their bucket lists, not only was I struck by many of the same things I would love to experience, but I realized I have experienced many of the things on other people's wish lists.

I've toasted marshmallows over a campfire (and was surprised to learn that there are people who have not!). I've swum in the Atlantic Ocean (or at least in the Gulf of Mexico!). I've made a charcoal drawing, and this year I even experimented with oil pastels. I've been to another country (Mexico, before a passport was needed) and lived in another state. I've been published several times and even contributed to an actual book to be published this Fall (eek!). Rock climbing - check (in Palo Duro Canyon outside of Amarillo). Explored a couple of caves, though I would love to see many more. I've made pottery; visited Washington DC; ridden roller coasters; learned foreign languages and musical instruments; walked, sung, watched a football game, and washed my hair in the rain (all at various times); gotten lost in cornfields; caught fireflies; built snowmen and snow forts; and gone to college (more times than I ever meant to).

Yes, I've read a novel in a single day (though it's been a while). Acted in a play. Addressed a national board comprised only of men. Helped plan national conferences. Been to quite a few concerts. Survived two direct hits from tornados, one an EF-5 (that's one I wouldn't want to repeat...the experience part, not the surviving part). I've been horseback riding, ridden innertubes on a lake and down a snowy hill, sung on stage in front of hundreds of people, and told stories to children while someone interpreted them into the children's native language. In junior high I won the school spelling bee. I've hiked in state parks and gone canoeing. I've driven school and church buses in at least three different states. Read the Bible (twice). Glow-bowling - yes!

I've taught young children to pick their noses when their mothers weren't looking, and I've caught adults picking theirs when they thought no one else was looking.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, though there are still a whole lot of things I want to do, I've had some pretty cool experiences! Occasionally I struggle with existential angst, or even deep, dark depression and excessive misery. But when I stop to think about it, life isn't all that bad! In fact, when I think of it this way, it's even kind-of thrilling.

I look forward to checking more things off my list in the coming months, and if you have never made a life/bucket list, I encourage you to try it too!