Onwards and Upwards No. 25
Hello my healing team,
I hope this update finds you well.
For me, everything has been pretty quiet on the health front. It has been really nice to share time with my friends and family where I am not ridiculously inundated with Dr’s appointments or treatments. The truth is, I am feeling quite well and am looking forward to a normal Christmas with Sarah and the kids! Yay for us! Given I have no juicy news, I thought I should pick up on where my last update left off and (hopefully) inspire some serious thought about bucket lists.
As I suggested in my last update, a bucket list isn’t the list that is compiled when contemplating death. Rather it is the list that you compile to inspire living! It is a list of your biggest wants and dreams. Importantly, it is a list to be implemented within a defined timeframe. For me that timeframe is 5 years. When I complete everything on my current bucket list, then I will generate another!
To some, key to a meaningful bucket list is about living big. To others it is living a fulfilling existence. Being connected with friends and family was key to my bucket list. Recently, I have read many articles about longevity of life. They all acknowledge the importance of healthy life choices including diet. However, many conclude that being socially connected was the biggest contributor to long life. I read that a study completed at the University of California found that “those with close social ties and unhealthful lifestyles actually lived longer than those with poor social ties but more health-promoting habits. Of course, those who lived healthfully and had strong social ties lived the longest.” So I consider this as I compiled my bucket list for the next 5 years. Here are a few of my ‘Must Do’ items:
- Like most, I want to travel more. Importantly, my travel isn’t only about seeing fab places, it is more about who I am doing it with. For me, the Pacific Islands, Bali, England, Netherlands, and many destinations in Australia all have one thing in common. I intend to travel to these locations to connect with friends who are currently there, going to be there, or joining me on the journey there. There really is nothing better than sharing the best travel experiences with those you love.
- Every time I send out an update or deliver a presentation, I receive supportive comments and feedback. I give you a snapshot into my life, and I often receive the same back from you. It is an exchange that I get a lot of energy from. I want to expand this exchange and share stories as far and wide as I can. So for my bucket list, I want to continue my updates and increase my readership. 1000 Facebook likes on a single post would be amazing. I want deliver a presentation to an audience of over 1000 people. Delivering a TED talk would be a dream. I want to publish a book. Someone buying a copy would be an honour!!
- I aspire to be a good dad. Over the next 5 years I want to be routinely present where I can walk my kids to and / or from school at least 600 times and I want to participate in school based activities at least 60 times whether that be helping in the class or on excursion, or just doing canteen duty. I feel fortunate being able to participate in these simple tasks. Not many dads get to do it. It is rewarding as I engage with my kids in their environment. I also aspire to be a good husband. I am in discussion with Sarah over how achievable that is :).
- I want to give back to institutions that have supported me. I want to raise $100k for one or more charities. I want to help 1500 people to donate blood and I want to be responsible for one person being matched as a stem cell donor. These things save lives.
- I want spontaneity, fun and excitement. I want that for me and those with me. My brother Jerome recently had his bucks party in Queenstown, NZ. Ten guys did bungy jumping, a canyon swing, jet boating and luge. We acted like irresponsible and immature idiots and laughed the whole time whilst doing it. With these items now crossed off the list, I want more. Others include sky diving, diving with whale sharks and manta rays, dancing with Ellen on the Ellen de Generous show, playing basketball with an NBA basketball player (current or not).
So there you have it. I choose life and living. What do you choose. What’s at the top of your bucket list. I would love to hear your ideas.
Take care
Geoff