My Bucket List

In last week’s blog, I promised to share my “bucket list,” the list of things I want to do before I “kick the bucket.”

Inspired by my friend Lisa, our new President Barack Obama, the great leader Martin Luther King, and my old friend Andy, I realized that I wanted to consciously create a meaningful life.

I’ve always wanted my life to be meaningful, and for the most part, work hard to do things that bring me inspiration, connection and a sense of purpose. However, it’s also true, that there are many things I “don’t do,” either because of lack of time, lack of money, lack of focus, or just plain fear.

Wow! That’s a big sense of “lack,” isn’t it?

And that’s ridiculous, I realize, because the truth is, I can either focus on what I don’t have and therefore can’t do, or I can focus on what I do have and what I can and want to do. That feels MUCH better.

I was surprised to notice that writing this bucket list was harder than I imagined. Some things came right out (live in Italy for a year), but others I had to really contemplate. Some of my ideas were vague (“I want to make a difference in the world”), and I had to really think about what they meant to me and how to make them more “real.”

I also felt myself holding back on some things (being a best-selling author), because of the feeling, “what if that doesn’t happen? Am I being too bold?” Well, so be it..I realize that as scary as failing feels, the idea of not doing something because I’m afraid is even worse.

I am thrilled to have started this list, and I am looking forward to crossing things off and adding as my life unfolds. Rather than holding on to my dreams in my mind, where they sometimes feel more like a fantasy, writing them down in the form of a bucket list makes them feel more real, more do-able, and more concrete.

I am now able to plan, implement and purposefully create these experiences.

Karen’s Bucket List

Created January/February 2009

1. Spend a year in Italy with my family

2. Go on an African safari

3. Volunteer in Africa or wherever I am needed (with children)

4. Travel to many places: Brazil, Chili, Alaska, Spain, India, New Zealand, Australia, (and more!)

5. Donate $100, 000 a year to causes I am passionate about (children, animals)

6. Spend time at a yoga/mediation center in India

7. Make a difference in the lives of girls and women by helping them to nourish and love their bodies (without struggle), so they can live full lives (through speaking, writing, workshops and individual counseling)

8. Write a book (that gets published and sells)

9. Write a best-selling book (yikes!)

10. Lead retreats for girls and women to wonderful places that feed our souls (places tbd)

11. Do yoga regularly and consistently, so it becomes an integral part of my life

12. Take cooking classes, so cooking for groups becomes effortless

13. Host parties/gatherings monthly or bi-monthly

14. Go on an outward-bound type trip where I am really challenged

15. Go on a family trip to many of the national parks in this country

Just reading it over gets my heart pumping and my juices flowing!

I’d love to hear ONE item on your bucket list!

Please share it with me, either personally or on the blog.