Some dreams are achieved, others still calling.
Once, in what seems like another life, my appetite for the unknown could have outpaced a black hole—it swallowed questions faster than I could find answers. The exploration process was raw and unforgiving, with many exhilarating twists, turns, and dead ends, including those “Oh shit!” moments that we all have stored away in the deepest and darkest parts of our closet. Okay, okay, let me slow down and let us rewind in time for a moment. Often, I find that I check out of reality and think back to the earlier days. Such as those in grade school where we were told to create a “Bucket List”. I can vaguely remember completing this assignment and thinking to myself how exciting it would be actually to accomplish these things. I mean, could a kid from a broken and challenging home life honestly achieve any of these? One could only dream of the confidence to turn something scribbled onto a sheet of paper into a successful reality. However, that’s exactly what I did.
No, this is not going to be an autobiography, a story of bragging rights, a diary of self incriminating truths, or a melancholy charm. At least not yet, who knows what the future holds. This is simply just dusting the cobwebs off and reaching towards the bookshelf of life to embark on the journey of discovering who I have become. Let’s dive into the bucket list—what’s been conquered and what dreams are still fueling the chase.
Prepare yourself to wander through the webs that I have weaved in my own mind throughout the years. These are items that I can remember from my childhood that I started with and items that have been added over time. I do believe that it is important to celebrate victories and accomplishments, no matter how small they may appear to be to others. After all, this is MY list and no one else’s.
Fly in an airplaneFly in a helicopter- Visit Stonehenge
- Visit ancient Rome
- Visit Iceland and see the Northern Lights
- Stay in an overwater bungalow in the Maldives
Fly on a seaplane- Overland hiking trip
- Skydive
- Zipline through the jungle of Costa Rica
- Hike through the Pacific Northwest
- Hike the Incan Trail
Get MarriedHave ChildrenStart a businessPurchase a brand new vehicle- Build a house
- Own acreage
- Publish a book
Eat street food with locals in another countryJoin the military- Become fluent in another language
- Scuba Dive
- Climb a mountain
ParasailGet a tattoo- Be on the set of a live television show broadcast
- Raise a family
Buy a house- Create an online business
- Speak to a large crowd
Go on a cruiseFly in a private jet- Create generational wealth
- Create an invention that will help others.
- Donate 10k to a charity cause
- Start a Podcast Show
- Visit a Castle
- Ride on an elephant
- Have a drink at an ice bar
- Swim with sea lions
- Sleep in a dark zone underneath the stars
- Start a YouTube channel
- Drink at Oktoberfest in Germany
- Take a last minute trip without packing
- Make a difference in someone else’s life
- Start a dog rescue ranch for special needs or injured dogs
- Take a scenic train trip
- Visit Horseshoe Bend
- Explore the Rainforest
I’ve checked off just 14 out of the 50 items on my bucket list, but that doesn’t mean my life has been anything less than full and thrilling. For me, the journey isn’t about the miles traveled to the finish line—it’s about savoring every stop you make along the way.
Some might see a bucket list as a burden, even a toxic concept, but I see it as the opposite. There are no rules here—your list is yours alone, a canvas for your dreams and ambitions. It’s not meant to confine you; it’s meant to inspire you.
I encourage you to create or update your bucket list. Remember this: wherever you are right now doesn’t have to be your final stop. But if you choose to call it your destination, make sure it’s one you’ve reached on your terms. Live a life that reflects your dreams, your values, and your joy.
More than that, leave a legacy of kindness and positivity. Share your light so that dreams—and the bucket lists that inspire them—never fade away. After all, the true measure of a journey isn’t just in the places you’ve been, but in the lives you’ve touched along the way.
The beauty of a bucket list lies in its flexibility. You hold the pen, and you decide what stays, what changes, and what gets crossed off. Don’t let the list define you. Let it be a guide, a reminder that life is full of opportunities waiting to be seized. Keep living boldly, on your terms, and let the journey unfold as it’s meant to.
Can you remember completing this activity of a bucket list in your own childhood?
What were some of the items on your own bucket list?
Have you completed any of them?
What new items have you added over the years?
What is holding you back from marking off your next item on the list?
Feel free to comment or send a message about your own bucket list!
Until next time, keep chasing dreams, sipping coffee, and embracing the journey—one whisker at a time. Stay bold, stay curious, and I’ll see you soon. Cheers from behind the beard!