Then an old man with a terminal diagnosis decides to run away and create big adventures before it’s all over. It was a fun movie that sparked a worldwide phenomenon. People everywhere have begun breaking out of the gridlock of ordinary life to “live” by seeking out incredible memories and making lists of adrenaline-pumping adventures to experience before they die.
Yawn.
I don’t have a wish list. I have never understood the logic or inspiration behind a wish list. Actually, I suppose so. You really want to feel like your life is an adventure. You want to feel brave, bold, fulfilled, fulfilled and joyful! You plan to post photos of you having a celebratory beer with the most interesting man in the world. Yes, I understand. However, if he’s saving up money and vacation days for his next bucket-list outing to feel all of that, he’s doing it all wrong. Here are four reasons to delete your wish list!
Arbitrary randomness is not “living”
Let me be clear right now. I am not against adventure. I’m not throwing shade on travel excursions. I love spontaneous moments. Truth be told, I’ve had quite a few adventures in my own life. I strongly encourage you to fit as much fun into your life as humanly possible from now and forever. If you want to jump out of a perfectly working plane or kayak around an iceberg, go ahead, as long as it’s useful and meaningful to YOU. Everything starts with a purpose. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Just because they do doesn’t mean you have to jump too. Hi Mom.
Even the most arbitrary random moments in your life can have a purpose. When you live life with intent and purpose, it helps you distinguish between what is arbitrary and what is personally meaningful and fulfilling to you. When you are clear about your unique life purpose, it helps you quickly decide which options will bring you the most satisfaction and indescribable joy. You make better decisions with a purpose.
Adventure junkies are just junkies
The basic problem with being an adventure junkie is the addicted part of it all. The momentary high and the anticipation of the next hit creates an ever-increasing need to up the ante with more risk and excitement. Who needs it? Life is not about crazy adventures and experiences. Some of the most significant moments in life are simple and powerful moments of connection with yourself and with other people. You don’t need security equipment to connect with yourself. Life is about making every moment the best moment of your life. If you only feel alive in that open jeep going on safari, you won’t feel alive for very long or very often. Without Leon.
Are you caught up in the hype? What makes that experience worthwhile? It is a sad statement of life that we work every day to pay for vacations. Why not live a life that doesn’t need an escape? What would that life be like for you?
Grand is often just a distraction
Not that climbing that waterfall isn’t something you should plan on doing. The question is what should you be doing instead? What are you avoiding by riding that raft down that jungle river? Where does your bucket list become a distraction from the things you’re trying not to face? It’s fun, we’d rather fly halfway around the world to experience a connection with another human being than engage in meaningful conversation with the guy down the block.
How often do we create bucket list items to replace the simple, ordinary “boring” things we could actually do every day? The best solutions to stagnation are often the simplest. I said simple, not easy. Don’t let complexity and grandeur be the smoke and mirrors that distract you from the most meaningful and enjoyable moments of your life.
Find more happiness in the ordinary and routine
What if you could structure your daily routine to be exciting, fulfilling, and joyful? What if you could find adventure and adrenaline in the ordinary moments of your day? How much more useful would your daily life be if you existed at a higher level of happiness and joy each day? What if the wisdom you seek could be found right there in that cold slate-gray cubicle you’ve been working in for the past 12 years? What if you worked to create a daily routine that was better than any vacation adventure you could experience? You may be skeptical, but this is very possible. Pay attention to what matters to you personally. Choose to live more of your ordinary moments with indescribable joy and knock out that to-do list!
