Making a list and checking it a few thousand times...

I just watched the movie, The Bucket List with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. It probably goes without saying that this is one of those movies that makes you sit back and think about life. The movie is about two men who meet while in the hospital receiving treatment for cancer. As time goes on, they become friends and ultimately decide to take the time to complete several tasks on a to do list, affectionately known as the "bucket list." This film is very moving and it will make you cry, so please, make sure you have the tissues nearby when you're watching.
Also, make sure you have a notebook nearby so that you can take a moment and write out your own "bucket list." It's a wonderful thing to do for yourself. It gave me some perspective because years ago I had started a wish list and the things I had wanted to do in my youth have changed significantly over time. I'm amazed at all of the things that I have actually been able to do over the years and grateful that I've had the good fortune to accomplish so many of my personal goals, no matter how small.
For shits and giggles, I decided that I would also try to make a list of things that I never want to do. I didn't come up with much, but here's the short list purely for your amusement:

1. Scuba diving...I hate deep water and I really don't think I could get the hang of the scuba gear.
2. Deep sea diving of any kind...I saw Jaws when I was three and it traumatized me so that I can't even think of putting myself in that perdicament.
3. Base Jumping, Sky Diving or otherwise flinging myself off of something very tall...I'm terrified of heights and of well, falling.
4. Eating squid...I really just can't imagine eating something so slimy and disgusting. That and I'm not a big lover of seafood.
5. Attending or otherwise being in the vicinity of a Clay Aiken, Taylor Hicks or David Cook concert...This really needs no further explanation.

This was pretty much all I could think of aside from a few unmentionables. I will say that if I were ever in a position where I had to swim in deep water or jump off of something to save my daughter from some impending doom, I would definitely have to set my fears aside and take the plunge...so to speak. But these are not things I would ever do on purpose. As for the Aiken, Hicks, and Cook concert thing, I can't ever see any reason why I would have to do anything remotely related to this for any reason.

All in good fun, but seriously, do take the time to make your list and go back to it often. You'd be surprised what you've been able to accomplish.

Until next time...

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