Living large

One or two weeks ago, someone I know posted this on the Internet: ‘What’s on your bucket list? Oops, I mean living life large. Don’t wait until they tell you you only have six months to live. Move, breathe, live, NOW!

 

A bucket list, as you may well know, is a list of the things you would like to do or to accomplish before you die. It is essentially about living life large and enjoying the moments, with emphasis on particular things you would like to do. It is about choosing to have a glorious existence in the present and working to achieve your goals.

It is also about living out your dreams without fear or anxiety, knowing that you only have one chance at life. Of course, the list might be more fulfilling if it is not entirely made up of hedonistic things but also helping others, giving back and witnessing beauty.

The concept was beautifully outlined in the heartbreaking 2008 movie The Bucket List, starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman in which two terminally ill men go on a road trip, with a wish list of things to do before they kick the bucket.

The pair begins an around-the-world vacation. They go skydiving together, climb the Pyramids, drive a Shelby Mustang, fly over the North Pole, eat dinner at Chevre d’Or in France, visit and praise the beauty and history of Taj Mahal, India, ride motorcycles on the Great Wall of China, and attend a lion safari in Africa.

How many of us postpone savouring life until we get certain things out of the way? How many times have we put our happiness on hold until we get that dream job, lose those extra kilogrammes, build that perfect house, meet our prince charming and get that ring on our finger?

Now, what would happen or what happens if God did not destine us for any of those things? Will we then have lived our life in vain, after putting off everything for that one thing? We will start regretting all the chances we pushed aside in pursuit of our dreams, the opportunities we let slip through our fingers?

And if, (God forbid), we were to kick the bucket today, would we consider ourselves to have truly lived, to have had a beautiful and colourful life?

Drawing up a bucket list or living life large is one way of making sure that you will have precious memories and a certain fulfilment in life.

I, for one, have a lot of things on my list, some of which involve conquering my fears. For starters, I love water, but am terrified of being submerged in it after a near-drowning incident in a swimming pool when I was about six years old. Somewhere at the top of my list is going scuba diving in the ocean. I would like my feet to touch the bottom of the sea and drink in beauty that is rarely seen.

I would like to observe marine life and be awed by it all. I would also like to conquer my fear of heights and ride a hot air balloon. Somewhere along my list is travelling the world, helping a complete stranger for the good and witnessing something truly majestic. What is on your bucket list? Email or text me on the number below.

 

“Life is not a race – but indeed a journey. Be Honest. Work Hard. Be Choosy. Say “thank you”, and “great job” to someone each day. Go to church, take time for prayer. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper. Love your life and what you’ve been given, it is not accidental ~ search for your purpose and do it as best you can. Dreaming does matter. It allows you to become that which you inspire to be. Laugh often. Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them Some of the best things really are free. Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming. Forgive, it frees the soul. Take time for yourself ~ Plan for longevity. Recognize the special people you’ve been blessed to know. Live for today, enjoy the moment.”—Inspirational artist Bonnie Mohr

Johnny Kasalika