My Bucket List Is Always Changing

By Thomas Morrone, CFP®, CPA

We all have heard the term bucket list. What it means to some may be totally different than to others. There are so many factors that can contribute to what is on your bucket list. One factor is reviewing what you have already done or accomplished in your life. Another contributing factor is the life style that you lead and the items that you are accustomed to enjoying. Values can play a role in what makes the list. For sure, the status of your health can certainly affect choices. Experiencing a serious health issue for yourself or a loved one, family or friend, can get you thinking as well.

As we age and question our mortality, the bucket list concept becomes more intriguing and complicated. The old saying, “we are not getting any younger”, comes to mind. I am not writing this to sound morbid in anyway but more of a challenge to myself to see what is on my list and what steps that I am taking to “check items off the list”.

My list has evolved over the years for all the reasons I previously mentioned. I do not have a written list and it is more of a mental moving target. The interesting thing for me is my evolving list has developed to be more about experiences and creating memories as opposed to acquiring things. Don’t misunderstand me, I have acquired stuff along the way, but memories are long lasting and become part of who we have become. Reliving events that you have shared with those that you love brings that smile back to your face and that warm feeling inside. The memory recall can be triggered by any number of different things. Sometimes a song can transport you back in time to relive a precious moment. Maybe it is a smell of a favorite food, perfume or fragrance. The power of the brain continues to amaze me in how it acts as a tool to help remember bucket list items or events that have already been experienced.

Having a wonderful family may not necessarily be a bucket list item but it certainly puts a smile on my face every day. Our family now has another generation with our grandson Kyle. With that new generation comes another newly created bucket to fill with memories and experiences. Family is certainly at the top of my list when it comes to accomplishments in life and what brings me the most happiness. I am blessed.

Now that I think about it, I don’t need a bucket list because my bucket “runneth over”. Life is good.

Until the next Tom’s Take...

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