A ping from the plane’s loudspeakers roused me from my book. Out the window I could see the green furrowed squares of farmland and unfamiliar tan slopes of flint hills. We were over Kansas and almost to our destination.
‘This is Kansas,’ I told myself, eyes scanning the view outside in disbelief. I knew I wouldn’t absorb the reality of this adventure until my feet touched the flint-pocked ground themselves (yes, even places like Kansas can be an adventure).
I embarked last Friday morning on an experience of two firsts: my first time traveling out of state to speak to a group and my first time leading a retreat. It was an adventure on both counts. The excitement began for me before I packed my bags and lasted after I’d said goodbye to the last retreat guest. In fact, I continue marveling that the trip ever transpired.
And yet, I was ready for it. When the invitation came from a college roommate to speak at a women’s retreat, I didn’t hesitate to say yes because I already knew I wanted to do it. It was a role I waited to fill. It was, in one respect, part of my bucket list.
Bucket list living brings out the adventurer in even the most timid person. Creating and then incorporating your list of life wishes into ordinary moments means waking up with the sense that this could be the day adventure arrives. And when a family follows this lifestyle together, the odds increase that something interesting will happen on any given day. Because everyone continually moves toward another dream-come-true. This is the case, even if the pace of movement is imperceptible.
When your family creates their bucket lists, you will find each person becoming watchful and expectant for those opportunities. Decisions regarding what to do, where to go, and how to spend your free time will be guided by thoughts of how bucket lists could come into play. The atmosphere in your home will crackle with anticipation.
Over time some opportunities will be mapped out on your calendar and you will live in focused expectation of those events. Instead of slapping your forehead over a missed chance to meet the favorite sports star that came through your town, you will make note of the date and begin a countdown with great anticipation. Instead of watching with mouths agape as others leap at grand adventures you hoped for, you will be grabbing their hands and leaping together.
The beauty of bucket list living, even when you hope for it, plan for it, wait for it, is that you will still have that moment when, in the midst of the adventure you have to repeat to yourself, “This is real. I am living this.” Plan on pinching yourself often. Creating family bucket lists means living in expectation, and awe, of the adventure.
That’s a beautiful story. I liked it, because I’m a great dreamer and I love to travel so much!
When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now
each time a comment is added I get three e-mails with the
same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service?
Appreciate it!
It appears to be a WordPress hiccup. As I understand it, there should be an unsubscribe link in the emails you receive. Click that in one of them and it should do the trick!