Last year my Mother had a "Bucketlist Party" for her 60th birthday. The guests were asked to write down their "Bucketlists" and share them with everyone else. Most of My Mother's friends are over 50 and it was interesting to see how their "lists" compared to mine. I started thinking of the mental list I had made when I was about 19, "Surf, Travel, Get Laid". Which I basically did for about 15 years. Somewhere during that time I got where I wanted to be. I was living in Tahiti. Paradise. World's best surf. Beautiful women everywhere. Then one day a friend of mine there, comitted suicide. Words don't explain what I saw and felt. It shook my ideas of my self and the way I was living. Here was somebody living in paradise , the life I was trying to create, and for reasons I did not fully comprehend, he decided to end his life. I put every bit of energy into that lifestyle and then one day it all seem so meaningless. My "Bucketlist" was empty and void of meaning. When I look now at the things I want to do, accomplish, my legacy before I die, it seems like an evolution towards one with meaning is more important. I think that any goals I put forth from here on out is an ever-evolving contract, a sort of sacred contract between myself, and something much bigger than me.
I am very sorry for the loss of your friend. It's a funny thing how our perspective on life changes when we are either faced with death personally, or when someone who is close to us dies. The things that seemed so important to us before, don't mean anything anymore. I also, have a bucket list of my own, which is always changing and becoming more and more meaningful as I get older. Good luck with accomplishing all your goals!
ReplyDeleteSometimes in life a tragic event has to take place right in front of our own eyes for us to get a grip on reality and make true meaning of our lives. Wanting to leave life having created something bigger than ourselves is the best idea/goal to have for life in my opinion, therefore leaving your name and memory to be carried on after you are no longer around. How great is that?
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