Bucket Learning List

Recently I heard someone speak about her “bucket learning list”. I think by now, the term bucket list is pretty much universally used to describe those activities or experiences that one wants to do during one’s lifetime.

What I like about this new expression is the emphasis on learning. What subjects do you want to learn in your lifetime? I have found that when I think about it, the list continues to grow and grow. If I give myself permission and if I had enough resources and time, my learning appetite is insatiable.

I think I would want to thoroughly learn about all educational subjects: Literature from all countries (e.g. English Lit, French Lit, South American Lit, Russian Lit. etc.); History- especially the interconnectedness of the events happening simultaneous throughout the world, Fine Arts- music and art history, appreciation, as well as the mechanics of painting and performing music, Latin, Greek and Hebrew (to be able to read the Bible in its original form), Romantic Languages (although my track record is not so hot), Astronomy…

In addition I would want to learn how to do basic carpentry, master gardening, the proper way to use cooking knives and chopping techniques, science/chemical reactions of cooking, salsa dancing lessons, interior design…

This is just a partial list that I compiled in two minutes.

What about you? What would be on your bucket learning list? How would you go about learning that information? Do you need to find more information about the educational opportunities in your community? Do you have friends who are “experts” in a specific field? Could you meet and trade information? What does your local community college offer? Parks and Recreation counsel? Local library? If attending classes are not in the budget, what about systematically going through the subject books in your local library? (for instance, all the biographies on all the United States Presidents.) Or, systematically go through YouTube videos on a subject. As you start looking at information, intentionally look at opinions or information from opposite viewpoints.

One of the greatest gifts that God has given us is the gift of curiosity and learning. If these things do not come naturally to you, cultivate it- start by looking at your world as if seeing it for the first time. You will be amazed at what you learn and see.

The Greeks have said, “to marvel is the beginning of knowledge and where we cease to marvel we may be in danger of ceasing to know.” ( E.H. Gombrich, Art and Illusion)

Fill that bucket by marveling at all the things you can learn.

Fall Bucket List

The other day I heard a radio announcer speaking to his co-host about making a fall bucket list. 

I was intrigued even though I feel that the term "bucket list" has become a cliche.

From what I have gleaned, the term "the bucket list" was coined from the 2007 movie starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson of the same name.  The movie tells of the exploits of the two men as they complete tasks and experiences that they wanted to do before they die.  

The bucket list from the movie derives from the slang expression "to kick the bucket" meaning to die. There are many explanations for that expression:  

That expression may have derived from the Middle Ages and the method of execution by having a person stand on a bucket while a noose was put around the neck. The bucket was then kicked out from under the person and then subsequently hanged. 

It also could be from the Catholic tradition of sprinkling the deceased with holy water that was kept in a bucket by the body.  Friends and family would pay their respects and sprinkle water on the body.  

Another idea is that it is a childhood game of moving balls around randomly placed buckets.  If you touched a ball to a bucket you lost and would have to sit out the remainder of the game.

It may have come from a West African word, "kek(e)rebo" meaning to die.

There is some thought that it refers to a Latin poem where the just milked goat kicks the bucket of fresh milk.  In the poem it is an omen of death to come. 

However the original expression came about, the bucket list idea is that one completes a goal or activity before ones dies.  It is generally something that one has always wanted to do but for whatever reason hasn't done it.  It may be because of time, finances, or lack of courage. The bucket list items gives one permission to complete it regardless of societal norms and behaviors.

What I like about the idea of a seasonal bucket list is that we are identifying items that we want to do in the moment.  These are generally smaller, and I would argue more doable, goals.   The process of doing one thing might lead to doing more. 

What is one thing would you want to accomplish during the next three months?  Is it something you have always wanted to do?  Is it something that every fall, you say, "I want to do such and such.."  And every spring you say, "I never did do such and such..."

Put it on your calendar.  Plan for it.  If you have to do more research on how to accomplish it, put those research questions on your calendar.   You might want to form a new habit: at the beginning of each season, plan for one seasonal activity that you will do.

This fall I want to take advantage of the "free fall" activities in our town.  Every October, there are free shows and exhibits at local museums, theaters, and concert halls.   I need to look online and find what is available and then plan on going. 

You might not have on your fall list to climb Mt. Everest, but you might want to take a hike in the woods.  Whatever your plan, work towards it. Who knows, you might actually do all the things you wanted to do.