My Practically Perfect Life

I’m sure almost everyone out there has a bucket list of some sorts. Whether it’s written down or not. I made my bucket list in 2010. The day after I was in a wreck that I should not have walked away from. But I not only walked away, I did it with only a scratch on my arm. This is what people call a “Wake up Call” and it’s called that for a reason. It is seriously like you’ve been asleep for so long and suddenly something pushes you out of bed. You realize that you must get off your ass and get going, and it’s sometimes necessary to start on a new path. And this one happened for a reason!

Epiphany aside, I wrote my bucket list. And if you have not done the same, I encourage you to do so. Like, right now! Just write down a few things. Save it in the notes of your phone, or the back page of a journal. And the awesome thing about a bucket list, is you never finish making it. How could you? As you experience more in life every day, you find more awesome things you should do. A bucket list can be things to do, places to go or changes you make in your life. As I said, I made mine the day after the wreck. It was also 4 days after my divorce was final. How coincidental is that? God decided to not only to knock me down a peg but to make sure I saw the bottom. And it was the best thing that could have happened to me! Hopefully you don’t have to have something drastic happen to make you want to build a ladder that never ends. With goals on each rung.  Here is just a little look into my bucket list. As it started 9 years ago. And of course, more things that have been added since!

1. Skydiving! Isn’t that on everyone’s list?
2. Travel outside the US. At that time, I didn’t even have a passport.
3. Learn to scuba dive
4. Marry someone that loves me whole heartedly. (Remember this was right after a divorce that got me out of a terrible marriage. Of course, this was not only what I wanted, but what I needed)
5. Bungee jump
6. Snorkeling
7. Run a 5K
8. See Garth Brooks in concert (and this list was made before he went back on tour!)
9. See as many waterfalls as possible!
10. Visit every continent

I made my list in August and in October I marked the first thing off. I ran a 5k. This was a great start because a 5k really isn’t that difficult. I mean you can walk the whole thing in less than an hour. But it was so good for me because I set a goal of being able to run the whole thing. Not necessarily fast, but without stopping. I signed up alone, I went to the race alone and I ran alone. I can tell you that I cried the most joyful tears as I walked to my truck afterwards. I, for the first time in years, felt proud of myself. I met a goal and did it alone.

First rule of making a bucket list…tell your friends!! What better way to celebrate making your dreams come true than to have your friends cheer you on! I was lucky enough to have a friend that wanted to see me happy and succeed at my goals. He took me bungee jumping! And what’s even better than that, he was a professional photographer and captured the moment for me! And if you were wondering about the marriage item on the list…well this too was done! And because I made it not only something I wanted but made it something that I would make sure would happen, I was able to set my standards high and not waver. And that got me where I am today.

I have also been snorkeling, scuba diving, been to another continent, and seen Garth in concert! Twice! Not saying my bucket list is what made him decide to get back out there, but you’re welcome!! Ha! I have so many more things on my list now. And I will constantly add to it. Things for myself, for my husband and I and for my family. So, make one today! Start small and realistic or be ambitious! Either way, get it done. And you will see a change in yourself because you have something to look forward to!

Keep on keepin’ on,

Nicole