An Australian Bucket List

Creating a bucket list (a list of things you want to do before you die) takes courage. After all, you are setting yourself a pathway to the inevitable final curtain. However, for two friends of mine, a bucket list was the inspiration that brought them back to life so to speak.

These two women, in their nineties, vision and hearing impaired, visited me in Canberra for a week. I, it seemed, was on their bucket list. They arrived at the hotel, arm in arm, using each other as a guide. After careful planning and searching for local events, attractions and travel information, we managed to do everything on our list, laughing and eating our way through the week.

They are both gone now, but I know that the confidence they gained from that trip, led to a lot more adventures.

Whether you are fulfilling your bucket list or you are the recipient of someone else’s, don’t underestimate where it will take you. Since that time, I have written a few bucket lists. As my life has changed, so do the things that are important to me. But each time I have written my list, I have discovered that it brings a sense of purpose and meaning. Apart from anything, it helps me get up each day and face the grind of work and other daily monotonies.

My first bucket list was a list of places I wanted to visit, things I wanted to buy for myself and events I wanted to go to. My current list is more about people, magic moments and opportunities to soak up the environment.

If you are thinking of creating a bucket list, here are some ideas:

• Write down the people, places, events, magic moments and experiences that have made an impression on you.
• Remember any times you have said, "I would love to do that".
• Then ask yourself, "What would I regret not doing?"
• Seek some ideas from your friends and family and find out if you have any common interests.
• Start a 'story board'.  Create a board on the wall that you can post pictures and notes with ideas you have each day.
• Write down ten things that come to mind and get information to support your travel.
• Don't be discouraged if you think your ideas are beyond your budget.  There is more than one way to achieve anything.
• Tell your family and friends what is on your list.
• Put your list aside and live your life.
• Review your list now and then, and change if needed
• Post pictures of bucket list experiences on your fridge

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Remember your life is one big bucket list, so remember to live it.