5 Reasons To Start Your Bucket List Today!

Life comes with stuff. Like schedules and responsibilities and deadlines and kids. Before you know it, everything that you wanted to do has been long forgotten, a lot like the fresh fruit you always made sure to include in the 12,000 school lunches you packed.
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Seize the day!

Live each day as if it's your last!

Savor every minute!

"Yea, yea, yea", as we shuffle around in our robe and slippers, clutching our coffee as if it's our only hope for survival.

We know better. It's just that sometimes we don't do better. It's called being human.

Which is why, at this very minute, you need to drop whatever you're doing and start your very own, very personal Bucket List.

Why? I'm so glad you asked.

Because Life, that's why. It gets in the way. Life comes with stuff. Like schedules and responsibilities and deadlines and kids. Before you know it, everything that you wanted to do has been long forgotten, a lot like the fresh fruit you always made sure to include in the 12,000 school lunches you packed.

No one is coming to save us, we have to save ourselves. In all my 50-mumble-mumble years, I've yet to meet the person who's job it is to make sure I have fun. As a matter of fact, a lot of people I meet seem to make my life less fun. Go figure. A healthy Bucket List is our answer to all those boring meetings, endless conference calls, whiney customers and disappointing friends. It's our moment to TAKE CHARGE!

To make sure your Bucket List items don't end up at the bottom of some school yard trash can like all those grapes and bananas, here's the official 'get off your butt and do it list':

  1. Your WHY. Reach down deep and way back and get in touch with the joy that rose from you in your youth. What was your WHY back then? What made you happy and excited to greet each day? Find that person and ask them what they want to do. Write it down.
  1. Build EXCITEMENT into your life. See a dream trip? Write it down. Always wanted to ice climb? Write it down. Become a Reiki Master? Write it down. All the fleeting dreams can now become a reality. Isn't that exciting?

  • REWARD yourself. With a healthy Bucket List you have the perfect reward system. Give yourself an incentive for major accomplishments, or even just a yearly trip, chosen from your Bucket List. You have an ongoing 'prize list' at your fingertips.
  • The Law of ATTRACTION. Just the simple act of writing it down and reviewing your Bucket List will work miracles in bringing it into your life. The law of attraction shows us that. The more often you review your list and imagine yourself actually participating in the activity, the easier and quicker the it will come to you. (it's science, people)
  • Keep 'em GUESSING. Who wants to grow old predictably? Not us! Let's have our kids wondering "What the hell is she up to now?". So much more fun!
  • While writing this article, I've added two more items to my Bucket List, a trip to Dubai and Calligraphy classes.

    How about you? I hope you've at least started yours. Don't stop until you have at least 50 items listed. Keep adding every time you see something that sparks your fancy.

    After all, a sparkly fancy looks good on you!

    Kimberly Montgomery is the creator of the Choices Notebook and blogger at FiftyJewels.com, where she encourages people to use their powers for good. Hop on over there to grab your FREE copy of the Choices Notebook Mini Kit.

    Earlier on Huff/Post50:

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    Chicago
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    Wrigley Field is a must-see, according to reader Linda Stark.
    Bora Bora
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    Reader Mona G. Low would love to stay in "one of those thatched huts over the turquoise ocean."
    Scotland
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    Several readers said they would love to visit this northern gem because of their ancestry.
    Paris
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    The Louvre Museum would be reader Susan Ayers--Taylor's first stop in the city of lights. "I have wanted to go there since I was 12, which was 44 years ago!"
    Russia
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    Reader Kimberly Minton-Freeman would love to visit Russia because it's her daughter's birthplace.
    Hawaii
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    Several of our readers have been to the 50th state and dream of going back again to take in the natural beauty.
    Moab, Utah
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    The Arches National Park is a must-see according to several readers.
    Syria
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    Reader Syeda Jafri would love to visit Syria and see its many sacred sites.
    Switzerland
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    "I would love to go to Switzerland so I can finish my family tree on my father's side. I found my ancestors on my mom's side were royalty in Ireland and lived in Cudzow Castle, but I haven't been able to find anything on dad's side before my great grandfather came through Ellis Island from Switzerland," said reader Linda Wepf Johnstone.
    Turkey
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    The country that's known as the bridge between the east and west is on Syeda Jafri's bucket list because of its beauty.
    England
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    "The fact I fell in love with the Beatles when I was eight" makes England a top choice for reader Audra Dee.
    Las Vegas
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    Reader Tammy Lumsden wants to go back to Sin City because there's always something new to see and never enough time to see it all.
    Egypt
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    Egypt's rich history and breathtaking monuments make it a top spot on any bucket list.
    Alaska
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    A few readers mentioned wanting to go to the northernmost state because it was the only one they haven't yet visited.
    The Sahara Desert
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    Reader Brenda English would love to take a photography safari in the beautiful desert.
    Costa Rica
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    Reader Franci Zalon wants to visit this Central American country known for its rich wildlife.
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