Why Coming Up With Bucket List Ideas May Not Be The Way To Go

Bucket list ideas. Things to do before you die. Life goals. Adventure list. No matter what you call it, these type of lists have one thing in common - selfishness. Being selfish can be a good thing; it allows you to love yourself, as long as you don't go overboard with it. Everyone has (or will) make one of these at some point in their lives, and recently I began mine. As I wrote down everything I wanted to do or learn, there was something in the back of my mind that was telling me that something wasn't right. All of my bucket list ideas were feeling empty, so I laid down my pen and went to bed for the night where the answer came to me.

I had been asking myself the wrong question. I had been asking, what do I want to do before I die when I should have been asking what would I regret not doing before I die. The wording was subtle, but it had a dramatic effect on my thinking and on what I had written down. The most immediate result of my break-through moment was the crossing out of a lot of the ideas on my bucket list. Most just didn't seem important to me anymore. I would love to do them, but I wouldn't regret not doing any of them. After hours of work the new list was much shorter, but much, much deeper and brought up strong emotions in me while making it. They were bucket list ideas boiled down to show what I really wanted.

You can tell a lot about someone by the goals they set in their lives. In this lens, I'm going to share with everyone my "regret list." I don't know if what I've done will work for others. What I do know, is that if you change your frame of mind; change the question; you can create something totally unexpected that can change your life, but I'll still throw in some of the superficial bucket list ideas as a kind of chocolate reward for the soul. Enjoy.

Photo by Katie Harris / flickr.

I can't tell you how many times I've said to myself while watching a movie, "I could do better than that." I'm willing to bet others have also said it. After doing a little research, I came to the realization that it all comes down to the movie script. Nothing is more important.

I love movies, I have stories to tell. I want to try and tell one for the big screen. With any luck (and a lot of work), I'll see this life goal come to fruition.

Some people might think that I'm wimping out by putting short film in there, but it all comes down to cost and common sense. If I can make a good short film, I'll be able able to make a good feature film when I'm given the opportunity. Who knows though, I may get an opportunity (money wise) to make a feature without having to work on shorter movies first.

I've always been told that if you don't really want anyone to know something, don't tell them (or write it down). This particular goal is very personal to me and at this point in time, I want to keep it to myself.

I list it here only because it is very important to me. I may eventually share it with the world - maybe.

The bottom line with this is that I don't want to pass away leaving my loved ones with debts I may have. Debt not only robs you of choices and chains you to a job you may not like while you're living, but it also gives your loved ones a big headache when you're no longer around. Once I get out of it, I'm never getting back into it again.

Photo by epSos.de / flickr.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. - Henry David Thoreau

Direction - 24 x 18 in. Art Print

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One thing that I find as interesting as movie and creativity is business. I can very easily lose track of time by reading how certain companies were started and how they are run. Part of it may be the fact that you can be your own boss when running a business. I find that very appealing, despite the hard work involved in running one.

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Perhaps one of the most difficult bucket list ideas I've listed in this lens. I would like for my actions to make the world a better place, though it may be impossible to tell the difference on any wide scale. I may never know the results of me helping someone or if their was a result at all. This is one life goal that I may never be able to judge on how successful I was, but it's one that I would definitely regret not trying to achieve.

I've given some thought on how to go about this and I've come up with a few ideas that I know have a good chance of making a positive change.

Being nicer to people.

Helping others and volunteering more.

Offering wisdom to others when needed.

I'm a big fan of art, and I seem to be able to find something I like in every category imaginable. I want to create something that I would be proud to hang in my own home and be good enough where others would want to buy it.

Below is a small sampling of some of the stuff I'm a fan of, in fact I actually own most of it and use it as inspiration.

Tournée du Chat Noir, c.1896

24 x 36 in. Poster by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen

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Run by Niagara Detroit

11 x 14 in. Art Print

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East Africa by Ben James

18 x 24 in. Art Print

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Goldfinch and Cherry Tree, c.1834

12 x 16 in. Art Print by Katsushika Hokusai

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Sin On Wheels by Paul Rader

6 x 8 in. Art Print

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I am not fit. I have been unfit for so long, I've forgotten what it feels like to be in shape. It's time for me to lose fat, gain muscle and be in a position to mark off every other goal I've got on this list. 'Nuff said.

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. - Anatole France

Believe - 24 x 18 in. Art Print

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I have come to believe that it is definitely worth it to pursue adventure. It seems to make your whole being come alive. I've only ever had small adventures, but the feeling it gave me was extraordinary. I want to take things a bit further.

I love to read and have even written a few stories in my life, but I would love to write something that could be seen on a library shelf. I think it would be a truly fantastic accomplishment.

Not as important, but still nice to refer back to.

1-Learning how to swim.

2-Travelling to Ireland.

3-Write a song (not sing one).

4-Go out on a date with Emma Stone.

5-Build something.

6-Learn how to ride a horse.

7-Fly on a plane (first class).

8-Audition for a Broadway play.

9-Hike the Appalachian Trail.

10-Taste a very expensive bottle of wine.

11-Go stargazing in the desert.

12-Swimming with Great White Sharks.

13-Learn some kind of martial art.

14-Learn how to sword fight.

15-See something supernatural.

16-Run my hands through a lion's mane.

17-Go to the Burning Man.

18-Give a hundred dollar tip to a waitress.

19-Walk the Great Wall in China.

20-Design and build the perfect library.

21-Learn to fly a helicopter.

22-Go into space and see earth from up above.

23-Climb the Great Pyramid in Egypt.

24-Spend the night in a cemetery with friends telling ghost stories.

25-Do nothing but travel across the U.S. for a whole year.

1-Own a piece of original cover art done by Frank Frazetta, Adam Hughes or Bernie Wrightson.

2-Finally get my hands on The Amazing Spider-Man #129 (1st appearance of The Punisher).

3-Dress up as a superhero and save someone.

4-Go to San Diego Comic-Con.

5-Write a graphic novel and get it published.

6-Get an actual movie prop from the Superman II movie (1980). "Kneel before Zod!"

7-Sit down and have a nice leisurely talk with Stan Lee.

Bucket lists always seem to have places to visit in them for some reason. I don't know why (sarcasm).