Don’t make a Bucket list, Live your Bucket list.
It has become a popular thing for people to talk about things they want to do or experience before they die. We call them “bucket lists” – a place to store all those plans and dreams you want to realize . . . well, someday.
I was a part of the same thinking for many years, until several experiences gave me some good reasons to look at it in a different way.
Seize the Opportunity
We were with a group of long-time friends at the Vidanta resort in Mazatlan when we were offered a fishing trip as an incentive if we participated in a timeshare presentation. Of course, the Vidanta company followed through on their offer, and they helped arrange a fishing trip around our vacation schedule. During the fishing trip we caught a huge number of fish, hauling in red snapper as fast as we could sink our hooks in the water. The captain of the boat said we could donate the fish to a local restaurant, and in return the restaurant would prepare a fish dinner feast for us, with all the extra fish going to the restaurant and its employees. That fishing trip was an amazing experience and our dinner was delicious and memorable as well.
I could have put “Deep Sea Fishing Trip” on my Bucket list. I could have carried it around for years. But by simply living in the moment, and taking advantage of the opportunity for adventure that was right in front of us, we created a “Bucket List Moment” without realizing it.
Face Your Fears
Many of you have “Zip-Lining” on your bucket list. You’ve had it rattling around in there for years, even when you’ve had a chance to cross it off. I did, too, until a group of friends planned an excursion to Chico’s Paradise near Mismaloya, just south of Puerto Vallarta.
I freely admit to being scared of heights. Looking through the brochure at the Vidanta concierge desk, I see-sawed between wanting to go, and being terrified! But then I realized, perhaps this whole idea of “bucket list” is handicapping me from actually living my dreams!
A bucket list is a trick we play on ourselves, thinking that – because it’s on our list – it’s going to magically happen.
I decided right there that I wouldn’t put anything on a bucket list again, but rather take advantage of these dreams right when they are placed before me.
So off we went, loading up on an open-air vehicle, riding down the road past Los Arcos and Mismaloya to a lovely spot in the mountains. After a bit of hiking we got into a harness and soon were zipping over the treetops! After a few rides, I found myself strapped in, belly-down, flying like Superman! Unfortunately, I couldn’t hold my arms out very long, and ended up finishing the ride like a sad sack of potatoes! But we have never laughed harder at such an experience.
Spending time with friends on a beach vacation, gives everyone an opportunity to reconnect and re-energize the bonds of those friendships and create bucket lists moments. That is why I am now an advocate of LIVING MY BUCKET LIST.
Looking for a resort in the Puerto Vallarta area? Check out these Vidanta weeks available on Redweek.com
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