Bucket Lists

I received a 2 am email with the subject line "Plans" from one of my friends last night with the following message:

1. Before I die I want to _________________
2. Before I die I want to _________________
3. Before I die I want to _________________
4. Before I die I want to _________________
5. Before I die I want to _________________
6. Before I die I want to _________________
7. Before I die I want to _________________
8. Before I die I want to _________________
9. Before I die I want to _________________
10. Before I die I want to _________________

What do you fill those 10 spots with?

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Let's set aside my friend's existential crisis for a second and talk about bucket lists.  I believe very strongly in the idea that people should strive to do the things they want to do every day and not wait for 'someday' to do what they want. In practice, how you live your life every day matters a lot more than getting to see Machu Picchu before you die.  

That's not to say I'm perfect at every day life, of course. No one is.  We all are limited in our resources and time, and we all face hardships and challenges that make every day life difficult (some of us more than others, for sure).  There are plenty of things that are hard to change in my life and that I can't control. We all have those things.  For those things, I try to either make the situation better or change my outlook and stay positive.

This also doesn't mean I don't have long term goals -- I have plenty! They are a big part of what makes up my day to day life.

But bucket lists aren't really my thing. Going for bike rides on Saturday mornings, spending time in the park and getting to work with kids are my thing.