The Leaky Bucket List
They say the two most common things people say on their deathbed:
- I wish I had spent more time with my family
- I wish I had taken more risks
Now, I feel no matter how much time I spend with my family I’m going to want more on my deathbed. Who wouldn’t? But I want to make sure my life is full of risks and adventure from beginning to end.
A few years ago, my wife, Paige, and I had the opportunity to attend the GRAMMYs. It was one of the coolest events I’ve ever seen — a lifelong memory. One of those events that wasn’t on my bucket list, but a moment that I’ll tell my grandkids about someday.
When I got home from that show, I thought about the concept of a bucket list. A checklist of things to do before we die. It’s great in theory, but a bit flawed. The problem is that in our culture we work our asses off and save money to wait to make memories for when we retire. We believe that if we work hard for 35–40 years, then we can sit back and enjoy all our hard work. It’s like a race that we can’t take a break from until we reach the finish line. Our society encourages you to put your head down and work until you’re 65, and then enjoy the fruits of your labor.
I’m not going to wait.
I want to spend all the years God gives me on this Earth seeking out memories and making moments. Whether it be attending the GRAMMYs, climbing to the top of a peak, or traveling to a foreign country, I’m not going to wait.
The Leaky Bucket List
I encourage you to make that bucket list, but think of it as a leaky bucket.
With a leaky bucket, you are putting goals, dreams, and to do’s in the bucket but they are leaking out BECAUSE you’re checking them off your list. You’re not waiting to do that bucket list; instead, you are constantly adding and completing items from the bucket.
Think of all the adventures and risks you want to take in life. Dream big. But, start taking them TODAY. There’s never a better time than today.
