The bucket list project

Everyone talks about bucket lists - the important list of things you're planning to do before you die. Most bucket lists are full of wild ambitions like writing a book, skydiving, an African safari, kissing your true love under the Eiffel Tower, or even more mild to-do's like seeing the Grand Canyon, making sushi or running a marathon.

Regardless, I've been thinking. How keen are we on really crossing those items off? As a 24-year-old, "before you die" seems like a long amount of time. Why rush it, right?

Wrong. The other night, I talked with my parents about bucket lists, and realized how much we're always saying, "I want to do this," "I want to do that," but never actually making plans. "Before you die" is a long time - but how eager are you going to be to take an African safari when you're 80?

And so, the bucket list project was created. My mission (and my parents!) to put my bucket list into action. Here are my action items this year:

1. Go to Vegas with my friends - In 5 years, we very well may be married with kids, well past our party days. Thus, the time is now.

2. Run a marathon - I've always wanted to, but never had the dedication to do so. Staying committed to training will help me live well and accomplish something I can really be proud of.

3. Learn piano - I dabble here and there, but could never play a full song from sheet music. I'd love to one day sit down and play and sing for my kids, and that means I've got to get started.

4. Write something about my grandfather - Whether a blog post or short article I can submit as a freelance piece, my 93-year-old WWII veteran grandfather has a fantastic life story that I've always wanted to share with the world. I've really been lagging on this one, since he isn't getting any younger. Stay tuned.

What items from your bucket list can you check off this year? Whether it's something big like a trip to England or small like learning to cook like Julia Childs, now is the time. "The way you live your days is the way you live your life," and that's up to you to decide. 


Happy bucket list-ing!