Bucket List

I understand the reasoning behind titling your dream list with the word "bucket" - but I also have quite the aversion to it.  And no, it's not because it references dying, but because "bucket" is an ugly word.  I don't want to have to keep writing or saying that word when speaking of my innermost hopes and dreams.  So I've decided to title mine my Awaken list, as it's really much more poetic and inspiring.  It gives a nice little reminder to live wide awake rather than dulled by the media-consumed environment around me.

I love hearing when others achieve their goals and cross items off of their list.  It's challenging and, oftentimes, inspiring.  Watching as friends and family chase their dreams, take on the remarkable, and learn overwhelming truths has only fueled my own hopes.  The three years in Arizona have been abundantly full of opportunities that I've been able to cross off my list.  And I'm getting to cross more than just a few things off of my list, and realizing that those items might better be described as goals.

-Audition for local theatre post school.

-Cast in a musical.  (Can someone say "what in the world?"  Call me "Guenny".)

-Photography classes.

-Seminary classes.

-Tight knit small group.

-Speaker for a conference.

-Opportunities for writing.

-Recording vocals for a local artist's project.

-Run another 5K.  (10K next... slow and steady my friends, slow and steady.)

-Travel to Africa (this one is about half-way there... solidified within the next month!!)

All of these are great opportunities that have brought me a lot of joy, but I've started reframing my thinking from goals to dreams.  Goals are good.  They are a great way to remain motivated and forward thinking.  Goals keep me away from the TV and out accomplishing.  But dreams require more than just an errand or a little extra effort.  My dreams are the things I whisper in prayer, share carefully, and cultivate in the back of my mind.  In order to make my dream list, the item must require more than I have within me to achieve, they need a higher power to step in and intervene.  Dreams, at least for me, tend to motivate my everyday thinking and living.  They keep me living wide awake and looking for opportunity.

I would encourage you to think about your own list... be it bucket, goals, dreams, or awakenings.  Keep adding, keep the list handy, and dream bigger than what you could ask for or imagine.  The satisfaction of crossing off completed missions is enjoyable, but it's the process, the journey, that makes for the actual living.  Mt. Kilimanjaro... get ready to be owned.

Books that have fueled my own passions:

Wide Awake by Erwin McManus

Chasing Daylight by Erwin McManus

So I Married Adventure by Luci Swindoll

Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper

Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala

In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson

"Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you."  2 Samuel 7:3