By Patricia Stoltey
I don’t do resolutions anymore. Goal setting is good (see yesterday’s post from Liesa Malik for more on that topic), but updating my bucket list ranks at the top of my year end ToDos.
Just because something was important enough to add to my list in the past doesn’t mean it should stay there until I finally do it. I kept “A ride in a hot air balloon” on my list for about ten years, had plenty of opportunities to fulfill the wish, and chickened out every time. It’s now off the list forever.
“Visit Greece” used to be on my list, but no longer. “One more trip to Paris” is on the list now, and that one can remain on the list as long as I’m alive and mobile. “Return to Norway” is a permanent entry as well. This is a photo I took about ten p.m. (early May 1998) from the window of a cabin that sits on a corner of the land my Norwegian ancestors once owned. I took that bucket list trip by myself, a true adventure for an upper-middle-aged lady who was accustomed to spending long hours at a desk.
There used to be a few other ambitious excursions on my list. Once upon a time I had a few items such as “Hike the Appalachian Trail” and “Walk the Camino de Santiago” on my list.
Stop laughing. I was serious at the time.
I have replaced those lofty dreams with “Walk every trail in and around my town” which is still a challenge in this outdoors-oriented corner of Colorado but can be accomplished (at least, it can be accomplished once I get this stupid knee fixed and buy a good, sturdy walking stick). A bucket list must be flexible and dynamic.
I put big writing-related items on my bucket list, too. “Make the New York Times Bestseller List” can stay on the list as long as I’m alive and writing. “See one of my novels made into a movie” is another favorite. I’d even like to “Win the Colorado Book Award” someday. My bucket list must include only achievable dreams, or at least dreams I’ve convinced myself I can achieve, even while others may call me delusional.
What about you? Do you do resolutions, goal setting, and/or a bucket list? What’s at the top of your preferred list for 2015?
The Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers blog will return to its regular Monday through Friday schedule on Monday, January 5th. The regular monthly post for Kevin Paul Tracy has been moved from January 1st to January 7th. The regular monthly post for Mary Gillgannon has been moved from the 2nd to the 12th.
I wish you a wonderful new year, full of joy and great accomplishment.
I’m a goal setter. My big one for 2014 was to hike the Scottish Highlands and we made it happen. Now my goal is how to get back over there again.
Hi Cassandra! I’ve never been to Scotland at all. I really should get both Scotland and Ireland on my list.
I would have chickened out too! I’ll have to dig out my list and make true changes. I think when I first wrote it I filled it with dreams and wishes instead of realistic goals.
Wishing you a great New Year – filled with many achievements!
Thanks for stopping by, Yolanda! Those early bucket lists are not always realistic, but sometimes the entries must sit there awhile before we accept our limitations. Bringing the lists up to day is both poignant as we face the truth and joyful as we discover new adventures that are achievable.
I loved this blog post, Pat. I hope you return to Paris and Norway and everywhere else on your list, including all the writing ones as well!!!
Hey, Rebecca — nice to hear from you. Thanks for the good wishes! I hope you have a great new year…there are so many wonderful possibilities.
Like the mix of dreams and the possible. Best of luck in 2015.