Bucket List

Yesterday evening, or this morning, or sometime recently I was thinking about things I want to do in my life.  A while ago, my mom asked me if I had a 'bucket list,' and I just laughed and said no.  I mean, what would even be on that list?  Let's see:

Ride a camel.
Live in Scotland.
Get published.
Own a massive boat.
Sky dive.
Go to Antarctica.
Be on a talk show...

These are things that I think about occasionally, that would just be so awesome to do.  But isn't a bucket list supposed to be full of things you want to do before you die?  So while chillin' with the penguins, up to my ears in cold would be great, I would not count my life as incomplete were I to die without fulfilling these fantasies.

But if we're thinking about things to do before death, what's really important?  What do I need to do with my life in order to have lived well?

Learn.
Love.
Bring more hope than pain.

And these things, I don't need to travel or have a lot of money [or literary brilliance] to do them.  I can do them right now, where I am in my life.  I can do them every day until, as my grandfather says, I 'graduate.'  And that's kind of cool.

I know they look abstract, but with abstractions in my heart, fueling my life, out comes concrete fruit.  Little things: smiles, listening, encouragement.  That's what I sit with, that is always my goal.  Little things every day.

But I think I'll still be sad if I never get published.

Much love.