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.