| I am sure many of you have seen the Rob Reiner | | | | 2. Think about something new and different to do |
| movie "Bucket List" starring Jack Nicholson and | | | | try. Is there a concert, festival, or activity you have |
| Morgan Freeman, released in January 2008. I was | | | | always wanted to attend/do, or a new event or |
| recently watching this movie again while jogging on | | | | activity you would like to experience? |
| the treadmill. Watching this movie made me think | | | | 3. Be on the look out for local schedules of events in |
| about my own bucket list. Do I even have such a | | | | your area. Do you receive summer event schedules |
| list? In case you have not seen the movie, a "bucket | | | | in your local newspaper, or from recreation centers, |
| list" is a list of things you would like to do before you | | | | city guides or vacation guides listing summer |
| "kick the bucket." | | | | activities? |
| As a friend and I were discussing our upcoming | | | | 4. Check the internet for listings of summer events in |
| birthdays, she told me about her plans for her | | | | and around your town. You may be surprised by all |
| birthday. She told me that her and her husband were | | | | of the activities in your area. You may find free |
| going to the San Juan Islands to bike around the | | | | concerts, plays, festivals, farmers markets, to races, |
| islands. She told me this has been one of her "Bucket | | | | sporting events, parades and more. |
| List" items. I wonder how many of you have a | | | | 5. Look for day trips and summer activities in other |
| "bucket list"? | | | | towns. For us, living in Colorado, many of the |
| If you are recently divorced now might be a good | | | | mountain towns have annual music or art festivals in |
| time to create such a list, or re-evaluate your | | | | the summer. |
| previous list. Why not start with a Summer Bucket | | | | 6. Network. Talk to friends, co-workers, people you |
| List? What are some things you would like to do this | | | | meet, and ask them about their favorite summer |
| summer? Is there something you have always | | | | events or activities. |
| wanted to do, but for one reason or another you | | | | 7. Get out your calendar and see what activities or |
| were never able to do it? Can you do it this year? | | | | events you can attend. Be sure to mark them on |
| Creating a Summer Bucket List can help you schedule | | | | your calendar with the date, time and location of the |
| some "fun" into your summer. Sometimes when we | | | | activity/event. Maybe clip the information you found |
| don't take the time to plan or put things into our | | | | on the event on or near the calendar. If you put the |
| schedules, they never seem to happen. Creating a | | | | event on your calendar then you are more likely to |
| Summer Bucket List can help you focus on | | | | follow through with it. |
| something positive you desire. It can give you | | | | By thinking about what you enjoy doing or would like |
| something to look forward to after dealing with an | | | | to do, helps you get in touch with "who" you are. |
| unpleasant experience. | | | | Maybe you have been catering to your former |
| If you are a single parent this would be a great thing | | | | spouse's interest and activities for years. Possibly you |
| to do with your children. Get your kids involved with | | | | have not thought about or been asked what you |
| creating a Summer Bucket List for the family. | | | | would like to do for a long time. It may be exciting |
| To help you get started, I have listed ideas below | | | | to explore and try new events/activities. |
| that you may want to consider: | | | | Decide to schedule some fun into your summer. You |
| Creating a Summer Bucket List: | | | | deserve it. As I have found out in my own life, if I |
| | | | do not take the time to plan or write it into my |
| 1. Think about what you really enjoy doing in the | | | | schedule, it often does not happen. Why not look for |
| summer. Make a list of your favorite things to do | | | | something to put on your summer schedule right |
| during the summer. | | | | now, while you are on your computer. |