by Matthew Rawlins

Created on: January 13, 2009   Last Updated: January 15, 2009

The Bucket list, made famous by the movie "The Bucket List", sparked keen interest in one's last days of life, just before death. The whole idea gave people, in general, something to think about whenever they do come to those waning days of their lives. The Bucket List assumes close association with the writing of a will. What, might you ask, does the term bucket have to do with anything. We all know what a bucket is,Correct? Well, the phrase "Kicking the Bucket" is an age old, slangy statement used when identifying someone with dying. The phrase had some origins associated with those in the business of suicide by hanging. While standing on a bucket, one would attempt to kick the bucket away to initiate his own hanging. Other Kick the Bucket venues dealt with the slaughtering of pigs. In France, pigs hanging over buckets for bleeding, would kick the buckets of blood over while in the throes of death. In fact, in the world of caricatures, an animated being, while laying sickly in bed, would kick his foot into the bucket knocking it over to signify his death. Simply put, dying by any means is "Kicking the Bucket" by today's standards. Hence, the "The Bucket List" or "Life List".

As we delve into the prospects of creating, and/or activating our very own Bucket List, be sure about your medical condition, and the confirmation of pending death. Once you commit to the certainty of your demise, where you don't ever expect to regain a full living status, you life could be quite a disaster should you miraculously recover from your illness. Suppose you were to refinance a mortgage with no intention of repayment, and lived another ten or more years. Depending on your age, you may be forced to go back to work to repay your loan. What if you can't work, and you have no way of paying the loan back? This is where The Bucket List might give someone pause. Miracles do happen, but, would you be grateful for that miracle nonetheless? Or would you decide to use the noose and bucket method to take you where you thought you were going in death initially? Decisions will have to be made if you are not wealthy enough to fulfill your Bucket List.

Travel, and living dangerously would probably be the most itemized entry on anyone's Bucket List. I am sure it would be at the top of my list also. To see the world; join the foreign legion; learn to fly solo; and work with the disadvantaged, and mental disabled would be about all I would need to do to make my life whole before my demise. I know, its meager, but giving has always been an endeavor of mine every since I can remember.

To be successful in your conquest to realize the full content of your Bucket List, always consider first, what it is in your life you have always wanted to do.

Then do it!

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