When I created this year’s bucket list, I anticipated a few items being left out or put off until 2016. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to post completely ridiculous dreams and hope for the best, but it’s only September and things are not exactly going as planned.
I came up with ideas like sailing to Antarctica, trekking gorillas, cage diving with great whites, visiting multiple continents, hiking volcanoes and buying a house in California. It was all a little insane even for me but it’s only September and I only have 6 items left on my 2015 list, which include the following:
- Cage dive with great white sharks
- See polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba
- Water ski
- Visit Phuket, Thailand
- Go on a family trip and stay away from phones/computers the entire time
- Stay at The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach
The Breakers, the family trip and water skiing are all booked before the end of the month. Cage diving with great whites is booked for October and Churchill and Thailand are booked for November. I’m going to complete the entire list with a month to add more.
People argue that creating a list restricts you or sets unrealistic goals leaving you discouraged, but creating a list is about imagining the impossible and finding ways to live the best life. I’m not upset if I don’t complete every item every year. I’m not discouraged if life changes direction and my items no longer match. I’m excited and thrilled to have accomplished so many of my dreams and creating a list gives me that direction.
I want to show Athena that this world is the most beautiful place and I want to continue seeing it for myself.
What’s something that you’ve accomplished on your list this year? Let’s share in the success together.
Bucket List Publications 
You’re getting closer. Keep up Lesly
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Thank you! The encouragement of others makes me push even more 🙂
What was on your list this year?
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Good job. Keep up your good work!
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I gave myself a goal of submitting at least one item every day this year. It is halfway through September, and I’ve made 290 submissions. That’s quite a few over the necessary number. They’ve ranged from songs to new markets, photographs to magazines, and poems to The New Yorker. Next year’s goal is to make more money at it. 🙂
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Amazing!
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There’s nothing wrong with setting goals, making plans, or even wishing. However, the wishing won’t get you as far as the first two. Me, I’d be staying home that month, enjoying the holidays and my new house.
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I will most likely spend the holidays in my new home but that doesn’t mean I can’t have a few new experiences to add to the list. Maybe I’ll find a new musical or production that I love or attend an event near home. There are always so many possibilities.
Do you have plans in the making? 🙂
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Still think you’re amazing.
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I made a 2015 Travel Wish-List at the start of the year. It was crazy, full of wild dreams, and I didn’t think there was a chance I’d be able to do it, but it looks like I’m going to be able to check every single one of my goal places off my list! I really should have put “visit Antarctica” on my list. It probably won’t make 2016’s list because we’re moving, but it’ll be on 2017’s!
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I’ve been following your adventures this year. Congratulations on so much success and wonderful experiences. 🙂
Where are you moving?
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Thank you so much!! We don’t know for sure, but I think we’re headed for Washington, D.C. We’ll hopefully have everything all settled and arranged around Christmas!
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That’s awesome! What brought this about? I’m excited for you and can’t wait to hear more. Did you post about it? Maybe I could read more on your site?
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I haven’t posted much about it yet, but I probably should! I was only sent to my current assignment here in Hawaii for three years, and we’re starting year three, so it’s time to figure out what to do next!
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It’s never too late to add more to the 2015 bucket list, Lesley. 😉 I finished my 30-before-30 list in May (though it was a few weeks late due to a rescheduled hot air balloon ride) and I loved every minute of it. You’re absolutely right, the lists don’t limit you… if anything, I felt much more encouraged to try newer things and take more risks. The more I checked off, the more I wanted to do! I zip-lined, met an exotic animal, bought a home, devoured Downton Abbey, completed a 10K, saw the Grand Canyon… so many wonderful challenges. As a result, my creativity and longing to do even more turned from a spark into an inferno and there’s no way to extinguish it. Long live the Bucket List!
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Right now the only thing on my bucket list is to go back home. I’m living on Maui and homesick for the Big Island of Hawai’i. However, the list is for next year and I’m hoping it will be 8-12 from now. I also need to finish my taxes before Oct.,, go to the Ukulele Festival. Not an exciting list, but it helps keep my on track!
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Didn’t have a list for the year due to the move but glad that the move is complete. So glad that you were able to accomplish so much this year, Lesley. Great Job!!!
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Wow this is incredible! Well done to you 🙂
I don’t have a yearly bucket list but I’m very happy with myself that this year so far I’ve crossed off 5 items from my overall bucket list, and there’s one more in the pipeline scheduled for next month 🙂
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Woo-hoo, another year of beautiful bucket successes! \
When are you going to be in Phuket? I have a visa run coming up towards the end of November – and it’s one of the 3 options; would be cool to meet up (finally).. and why not on a beach in Thailand?!
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Seems you are very good in achieving your goals. Well done.
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You’ve done very well Lesley! Keep going and I’m sure you’ll complete your list! 🙂
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Keep it up- you’re almost there!
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Wow! you have been (and are going to be) really busy! It sounds pretty fabulous though! I don’t really have a bucket list as such, i just make up vague ideas about things but I’m hoping to head to Asia on my next trip and I’d love to go trekking in Nepal as part of it, and stay in a shack on the beach somewhere too! I’m also intrigued by Africa, but I doubt I can afford it too… not this time anyway! There’s so much of the world to explore I will keep dreaming and planning! 🙂
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It’s a while since I checked in with you – Athena has grown into such a beautiful little lady! On the subject of life plans, I got to travel to wonderful Nepal late last year all before those poor people were hit with devastation from the earthquake. I think it is wonderful to have plans and try and take hold of your dreams!
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I can imagine Nepal is a beautiful, rewarding experience. It’s never made it to my yearly list… yet but I always look at photos in awe. Hopefully one day I will experience it with my own eyes.
Athena seems to change every day. I’m grateful for the beautiful, thoughtful, fun, loving girl that she has become and I look forward to watching her turn into a little lady 🙂
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Made it to the Galapagos Islands last month which I’ve wanted to do for as long as I can remember. Well worth the wait 🙂
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The Galapagos is so high on my list that I may put it on my 2016 list. I’ve been looking into the possibilities already and it may be a reality. 🙂
what was your favorite part of the visit?
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The wildlife wins hands down: https://mistynites.wordpress.com/2015/09/05/wildlife-of-the-galapagos-islands/
That was just the wildlife that I got a photo of. Saw more than that. My favourite inhabited island was Isabela – so tranquil, beautiful & wildlife everywhere you looked. My favourite uninhabited islands were Bartolome (barren but beautiful volcano) & North Seymour (breeding ground for blue – footed boobies & frigate birds). Haven’t had a chance to blog about my trip yet as I’ve only been home a week!
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Great job. I love – and need – lists! My Lumosity brain games have told me I lack attention and focus. Well derr – I’ve known that for 42 years. It’s not about when things get ticked but – whether – they do, right? Life is never linear. A new follower and I look forward to your journey 🙂
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Thanks for following along. It’s the encouragement and support from readers (online friends), friends and family that make me believe anything is possible.
My mother-in-law does Lumosity as well. Do you think it’s helpful? Maybe it’s something I need to try.
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Hmm… they make you think (receives most obvious-statement-ever award!) I’m using them to try and focus my lack-of-focus if that makes sense. They are also fun if you’re a little bit competitive as you try and beat your PBs and benchmark against others. As for whether they are working I’ll tell you in a few months I guess. Although I am juggling as I type this 😉
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Keep it up! have fun, enjoy the roller coaster of life.
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I swam in the Adriatic and the Aegean! Keep it up, Lesley!!!!
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I have a couple this year and one that’s about to happen. I have my overall one of visiting a new place and/or country a year. I didn’t make it to Nicaragua like I planned, but I went to Atlanta, West Texas (that doesn’t have to do with oil), and going to Cardiff and Bristol in two weeks.
I just came back from Big Bend National Park (wonderful) and hiked up the mountains there, which has been on my list forever.
And In three weeks, I will get a super big bucket list item by attending the Rugby World Cup in England (well, actually Cardiff, Wales to be exact). I’m so excited, but it’s also combined with a surprise birthday party. So, I have to be silent about it.
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I haven’t been to Big Bend National Park yet. Did you post about your trip?
The Rugby World Cup in England! That’s so exciting.
What wonderful accomplishments this year. Are you thinking about Nicaragua for next year?
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Life: A work in progress .. never ending! I am a New grammie, which has made me want to actually pull the trigger on some things … takings risks is not so bad … Cheers !
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What’s a new adventure that you’d like to experience?
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I set a goal of reading 50 books this year and already achieved. If we don’t set goals (by way of lists😉) how would we determine what we are capable of achieving? Enjoy water skiing!
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I had two big goals this year. One won’t happen, I wanted a vacation away with my hubby sans child. LOL. Kiddo isn’t in a place to be left with friends right now. The one that is happening: I am publishing my first book. It will launch next month. That one is amazingly gratifying.
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My ultimate bike ride. The RAMROD, Ride Around Mt Rainier in One Day. Took me 4 years to get into the ride (lottery only) and I completed it on one of the hottest days ever in the mountain! Major bike bucket list checked off!
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We also have traveled extensively completing bucket lists before we even had a bucket. This trip we will visit Montana & North Dakota, the last two states to complete our 50 state goal.
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Your bucket list is impressive. My brother is going to Thailand in a few months. This year I went to the Grand Canyon to enjoy nature ( I’ve visited Yellowstone, Yosemite, Acadia, and Shenandoah National Parks) and to the West End in London to take in as much theater and art that I could see in a week. Early next year, I intend to visit Peru.
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This year we bought our first home, planted an orchard, had a huge garden and we haven’t defaulted on the mortgage. All good things!
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I retired! A little early so I am taking a teeny, tiny risk. Time for more birding but nothing too exotic planned…I need to be more adventurous, like you…
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AMAZING!
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Awesome. Cannot wait to see next year!!
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One of the things I had to do on my list was to take a trip alone. I have traveled alone for work for years. And I take day trips by myself all the time. but, I rarely take multi day trips on my own. Last weekend I went on a photography expedition at Safari West and had a wonderful time by myself. Mind you I was with a group of people but it was a lot of fun and had inspired me to take a longer trip on my own. I have done it in the past down to Joshua Tree NP and LA and so on but I haven’t done it recently and haven’t done it overseas. I keep visualizing a tour down the Nile or Amazon or something. (I need to plant a money tree though…)
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Wow! You have great bucket lists and awesome ‘coz your closer to complete it. Good luck! I love your pics, looks like you really had a blast. Great choices too.
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I’ve managed to pluck up the courage and hand in my resignation yesterday to relocate to South America! Don’t have a job lined up but I’m sure I’ll figure something out when I’m there. Great bucket list! I’ll be writing one up too for my new journey ahead! Keep it up.
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That’s fantastic! I can’t wait to hear more. Keep me posted. Congratulations!
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I can go without my phone, computer and TV for 24 hrs (bc of a religious holiday) but, sadly, don’t know if I could go cold turkey! So I’d have to say that’s probably going to be the hardest one to accomplish on your list.
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When are you going to Churchill? That has been on my bucket list since sophomore year of college… when we tried to drive there, from Boston. Seriously. It would be fun to meet you there… but I may be headed back to Israel, to visit my number 1 bucket list, these days. 😉 Email me; I would really consider heading north!
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I’m heading to Churchill starting November 2-8th with Churchill Nature Tours. If you’re free at that time, let me know and I’ll send you all the details. I’d love for you to be there too! After years of chatting online, I feel like I know you personally. 🙂
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I’ll let you know… I may be in in Israel then, but figuring out details now.
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I think that creating lists makes you try to do more than you normally would and branch out! I am an adventurer and the world is your playground. There are no limits unless you think there are. If something does not work you simply do something else #teamweird
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You are a bucket list rock star! Nice going.
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You are very inspiring👍👍Rock on girl!
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Those are some incredible goals. Some days I’m proud just because I managed to shower and make a nice dinner. It’s wonderful that your daughter has that as an example 🙂 … I will have to stay tuned to your adventures.
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What an amazing life you’re living. I love your positive attitude and the way in which you embrace every opportunity. I don’t make lists but never say no to any opportunity that presents itself. I have not done nearly as much as you although I have lived many more years but this year I have been to Namibia twice and ticked off 5 game reserves in South Africa, been to two trout fishing venues in KwaZulu Natal and relocated to the Southern Tip of Africa. I feel quite travelled out for now but I’m sure my feet will start itching again soon. All the very best with your adventures.
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