by Robin Kibodeaux

Created on: January 12, 2009   Last Updated: January 15, 2009

When you were a kid, did you ever sit down and right all of the goals that you would achieve in life? That list probably read something like this...

1. Become the President of the United States of America

2. Be the richest man or woman alive

These goals seem so unreasonable to us now, but then we knew how to dream. We did not have a care in the world, no real responsibilities, no one depending on us but ourselves. The biggest concern we had was what we were going to wear to school on Monday.

Life passes us by so quickly. Sometimes it happens so fast that we do not realize all of the adventures that escape our fingertips. All of those goals on our list we made when we were kids might have been reachable if we would have done one thing differently. Sadly though, life's last breath can escape us as quickly as we gasped for our first one. We think time is very complicated and in the hassle and bustle of today's busy world, there is never enough of it. When our day begins our hectic, unavoidable schedule of tedious tasks and chores takes all of our time away. Routine becomes accepted as who we are supposed to be. We lose ourselves in this vicious cycle of acceptance. We continue living out days of life not expecting that at any moment, it could end. We forget who we are, what our dreams are, and what inspires us to be truly happy. We hold grudges, dislike people or ideas we do not understand, miss out on friendships or have friendships lost, and speak unkind words without realizing how our way of thinking affects our unique life experiences. I have listened to family members and friends, who are no longer living, speak of what they dreamed to do some day, friendships they hoped to mend, or moments in their lives, that if given the chance, they would do differently. The phrase, "I will do it tomorrow", is something we say quite often, but what if your tomorrow does not come? Think about that for a moment. If you were given six months to live, what would you want to do with your last moments on earth? I made a list of things that I would do personally. This is my "Bucket List".

1. Always forgive, never hold a grudge, you only hurt yourself

2. Travel

3. Stop stressing about things I can not fix and focus on the things I can do

4. Watch the sunrise

5. Dwell on the happy times and accept the bad ones

6. Do not get angry it does not fix the problem at hand but prolongs it

7. Always be honest

8. Cherish every moment with my children and husband

9. Seek the positive in all situations

10. Play, enjoy yourself

11. Make every day an adventure and share them with my loved ones because what is life without anyone to share it with?

While writing my list, I realized that everything that I put on paper was something that could be incorporated into my life now without needing a time limit on what life I had left. I changed my whole way of thinking. I began to live everyday by my list. I actually began living for the first time. I have gained many wonderful friendships. My marriage is better than ever. My children wake up every morning excited for our next adventure. Life is no longer a hassle but a pleasure. I stopped saying, "I will do it tomorrow", and began living for today.

Anyone can do what I have done. No matter your daily schedules or routines, you can fit it in. Take your trip to Paris. Call your friend you have not spoken to in fifteen years. Let go of your grudges and forgive. Stop putting everything off for tomorrow. With very little effort you can make all of your dreams and desires for life fall right into your lap. Your life is what you make of it. Do not let life pass you by without actually living it first.

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