I don’t believe in bucket lists. Mostly because I don’t believe in organization. I mean, have you seen my towel closet? No? Good. How about my hair? Right. Case in point.
Bucket lists have always bothered me because they seem like an artificial way to define what “living” life really means. They create this expectation that if you die without seeing the Eiffel Tower you haven’t lived. Honestly, that overrated, skyline blight shouldn’t define what life means for you or anyone. Of course, only people who’ve seen the Eiffel Tower can call it an “overrated, skyline blight” to the rest of you that’s Mr. Eiffel Tower.
I’ve always believed that life itself is an adventure. And whether you are standing on the edge of Masada or on the edge of a cornfield, living happens where you are, not where you want to be.
Perhaps, I think this because I’ve moved so many places and none of them were places I wanted to go. Before college, I lived in five different homes in six different states and when I got married, life brought me here to Iowa, to the edge of a cornfield. It’s not what I imagined my life would be. None of these places are places I would have chosen and yet, I love being here.
Here in Iowa, I’ve faxed North Korea, climbed through a roof in an epic flood to save artwork, been yelled at by Terry Gross, and flirted with Masad. And that’s all just in my town. Adventure isn’t where you are it’s what you are.
So, while I don’t believe in bucket lists, I believe in being wild. In screaming. In being afraid. And saying “yes.” I like life the best when I’m teetering on the edge, which for me usually means drinking wine and playing “Scrabble” at the SAME TIME.
I’m pretty crazy like that.
But now, I’m going to take the crazy up a notch and learn how to fly.
Not like Peter Pan or Jerry Garcia, but like Maverick. If Maverick flew a little Cessna at a small airport in Minneapolis. Then, just LIKE him.
Thanks to Pepperidge farms and their very delicious Jingo’s crackers (Lime and Sweet Chili, might be my favorite) I’m going to hop into a plane and steer that sucker into the wild blue yonder.
Jealous?
Don’t be. Because they are also offering you an opportunity to live bold with a $150 gift card to Cloud9Living.com where you can book your own adventure. What do you have to do? Not much. Just comment below and let me know one thing you’ve always wanted to do. On Sept 22, I’ll use random.org to select a winner from the comments. That is it.
I mean, you could “Like” LyzLenzdotcom on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, or spam your friends with this post. I would love that. Especially the spam part.
But really, all you have to do is comment and you are entered. And I can’t wait to see what you choose!
Also, I need to point out that Cloud9Living has a DaVinci’s Gold Scavenger Hunt. And ermahger I would mother-freaking-love to do that. I mean LOVE to do that. When I saw it on the site, I shrieked and wet myself and Dave came over and immediately knew what I was excited about. “No,” he said. “I love you but you are not spending $1,880 on a fictional quest for imaginary gold.”
I pick a winner on September 22, so you better enter now. Or else…Well. Maybe the Mayans were right.
If you couldn’t tell, I have been compensated for this post by Pepperidge Farm, but the opinions, the experiences and the words are all mine! I turn down lots of offers for reviews and contests, but this is one I am proud to have on my site.
