# Reflecting on My Bucket List Journey and Planning Ahead
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Chapter 1: Introduction to My Bucket List
Have you ever considered creating a bucket list? It’s an exciting way to chart your aspirations and experiences.
Photo by Donald Giannatti on Unsplash
When I reached my 50th birthday, I made an unexpected decision: I got a horse. This wasn’t something I had ever considered until that very moment, and it wasn’t part of my bucket list at all.
At the time, I was involved in flood recovery efforts in rural North Dakota, where I met a young woman who owned a nearby ranch. She encouraged me to buy a spirited painted mare, believing it would be a healing experience amidst the chaos of disaster work. I ended up boarding my horse at her ranch, and after long days, I would escape to her beautiful 40-acre property, surrounded by the vast prairie.
Long summer evenings in the Midwest offered me ample time with my horse and her herd, followed by barbecues and laughter under the setting sun. Those moments brought me immense joy and have stayed with me over the years. Today, I find myself reflecting on those times, which have also inspired me to think about my bucket list.
Most individuals’ bucket lists consist of aspirations they wish to fulfill before they pass away, aiming for a life rich in experiences and devoid of regrets. I share this ambition, but my bucket list tends to be more about ideas and whims rather than concrete goals. I leave room for spontaneity, just as I did when I decided to get a horse.
Chapter 2: Structuring My Bucket List
Let me share how I’ve categorized my bucket list:
Section 2.1: New Skills to Learn
My focus here is on continuous learning and keeping both my mind and body active. As my father always said, you can develop new talents at any stage of life.
I maintain an evolving list of skills I might like to pursue, including French, sailing, obtaining an emergency medical technician certification, vegetable gardening, and white-water rafting. Occasionally, I select an item from this list to explore further. Currently, I’m learning how to skateboard!
Section 2.2: Embracing Spontaneous Opportunities
This section remains intentionally blank. I want to stay agile and open to unexpected adventures, a principle I learned from my disaster response work.
I never want to miss out on a last-minute opportunity simply because it wasn't on my bucket list. For example, I once received a last-minute invitation to speak at a conference in Norway, and without hesitation, I accepted.
Section 2.3: Aspirations I Might Not Pursue
This part of my list includes experiences that would be exciting but are not essential. I won’t be upset if I don’t achieve them, such as hiking the Appalachian Trail. While it’s unlikely I’ll do it, I’m not entirely dismissing the idea.
Section 2.4: Non-Negotiable Experiences
This section holds my traditional bucket list items—those experiences I must pursue, no matter how long it takes.
For instance, writing a book was on this list, and I can proudly say that I accomplished it after six years of hard work. Other aspirations include working part-time at a hospital, purchasing a small grove of avocado trees, going on ten more surfing trips, visiting Lisbon, buying a small boat for fishing with my grandson, and writing another book.
In conclusion, as I reach the age of 62, I plan to revisit this approach when I turn 70 and assess its effectiveness. If it continues to resonate with me, I’ll carry on. If not, I’ll make the necessary adjustments.
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