Bucket Lists

     Let us discuss bucket lists. I believe that name comes from the term 'to kick the bucket'(or to die) in that, it's a list of things you want to do before then. Don't quote me on that. I never appreciated that name, because the title 'Bucket List' doesn't say anything to me. I actually picture a pail with a bunch of slips of paper in it. Titles are important, people. 

     I don't have a bucket list. *all of Pinterest collectively gasps* Now, I do have dreams. I have goals and aspirations, but I don't call it a bucket list. The closest I come to having a bucket list is drawing a jar and filling it with things I want to do before I graduate high school. However, that is called my Dream Jar. The name is a bit more descriptive/explanatory than 'Bucket List'. 

     Bucket lists irk me. The nature of them is what I have a problem with. A lot of the bucket list items I've seen are things like "pet an elephant", "have a paint fight", "go to Ireland". To me, bucket lists are a pile of things that people want to do 'sometime in my life' or 'before I die'. It sits, and only every now and then does one think about their static collection of random ideal activities. 'Before I die' is an abstract time. No one knows when they will die, therefore, having a list of things to do before then is impossible. There is no concrete plan involved. If you want to travel somewhere, save your money and research flights. If you want to have a paint fight, go find a can of paint and someone to combat. Schedule your bucket list activities so that they happen, otherwise, they won't. It doesn't even have to be really scheduled. Just put it in a basic time frame. Your bucket list will sink under a layer of dust, forgotten, pushed aside, deemed an accumulation of 'things that will happen sometime in the future' if you don't take action on it. 

     What is the purpose of doing the things on a bucket list? Is it to check off little boxes? Is it so that you can move that one Pinterest picture from your 'Bucket List' board to the 'Things I've Done' board? Not everything needs a purpose or reason, but many things do. Think about why you dream about what you dream about, and how you can glorify God by making your dreams come true.  

     Bucket lists are not all terrible. Having hopes and dreams is great. But when you have a dream, assess whether you can take any steps to make it a reality in the present. Obviously there will be some dreams that have to wait. Have action plans if possible. "Don't let your dreams be dreams". I'm not saying one should never have a bucket list. I'm just saying we should treat them differently. Bucket lists are very lovely concepts.

     For a long time, I was afraid to dream. Sometimes, people force others to dream, I've noticed. According to 'society', one must know what they want to be when they grow up. That must be one's biggest dream. When I was little, the only thing I wanted to be when I was older was a librarian and a mother. I didn't want to tell people that. My dreams weren't 'big enough' for them. So I simply didn't know. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up, profession-wise. But I do know what I want to do. I want to encourage people. I want to create things. I want to inspire people to glorify God. I want people to know that they don't have to follow the patterns of the World. I want to be like the people who have touched my life in positive ways. 

     But do you know what? Those dreams and goals don't have to be 'someday, I will...' dreams. They can be now. Don't wait around for your life to get epic. Make it epic yourself. Ask God what He wants of you, and do your best for Him. Don't dream in the same way as everyone else. Make your dreams your own. The diversity of people is so incredibly beautiful, and you add to that.

     Dream big. Dream small. Do it for God. But don't hold on too tightly to your dreams. You have to let go of your dreams in order for them to become reality. Keep in mind that not all dreams come true. Sometimes, God has an even better dream for you than the one you have to leave behind. 

     What do you think about bucket lists? If you have one, what prompted you to start it?


     P. S. Announcement: I have devised a blogging schedule for myself. (crazy, I know) Yes, I decided to actually start posting regularly, so you may expect a post every other Monday. After outlining blog topic ideas for certain dates, I just know this year is going to fly by. It's somewhat terrifying. Anyway, for your convenience, there is the option to follow A Pen For The King by email; there should be a box on the side if you wish to get email updates. Or you can just stalk the blog every other Monday. That would work too.

Of Adventures

   If you can't tell by the title, I'm about to explore the topic of adventures. First, let's start off with some definitions, courtesy of dictionary.com. I'm only using half of the ones listed in the article, if you want to see the rest, follow this link.

Adventure:

n. 1. an exciting or very unusual experience.

2. participation in exciting undertakings or enterprises:

the spirit of adventure.

3. a bold, usually risky undertaking; hazardous action of uncertain outcome.

v. 6. to risk or hazard.

7. to take the chance of; dare.

   I'm sure many of you wish your life was more exiting and adventurous, or have at one time. I tend to dream of an exciting life, full of adventure and new things, until something new or exciting happens and I am forced to be adventurous. When I actually experience an adventure, I agree with the words of Bilbo when answering Gandalf, in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit.

"I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it's very difficult to find anyone."

"I should think so—in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!"

   Bilbo is quite right. I've had a few adventures in my life, and they aren't as fantastical and dreamy as the books make them out to be. Earlier this year, my family traveled for almost three months straight. That was an adventure. I started out somewhat excited, but by the second week, I simply wanted to go home. The truth of it is, adventures are often raw and dirty things that require sacrifice and perseverance. Even book characters experience the hardship of adventures.  
[spoiler alert, those who haven't read The Hobbit.] Going with the example of The Hobbit, Bilbo does get home, but he loses several friends along the way, and he continues to suffer the effects of the ring for the rest of his life.  
[you're safe to read on now.]

   New experiences are scary. It is very human to have a fear of the unknown. With God, we can face those fears.  I like to think of new experiences as adventures. That means most of this year shall be an adventure. A perilous realm, if you will. I have an entire new year to explore with Christ, and so do you. That is an exciting thought. We get to be adventurers for Christ. Take risks, be brave. God's got this.

   I have a challenge for you. Take an ongoing risk in some area of your life this year, whether it be in your writing, being more involved at your church, applying to a college, making a new friend... You get the idea. The adventure you choose should be geared to make you a better Christian.

   I've decided to be more intentional in who I talk to. I want to make more of an effort to reach out to quieter people, because I'm one of them and I know how it feels not to be listened to. I've also decided that I want the stories I write to have strong themes.

   What about you? What risk will you take? What adventure do you choose?