Sometimes, I find myself sad in my current state. Busy, full of responsibilities, and in need of saving money. But then – I look back at all of the amazing places and things I’ve had the privilege to experience in my short 23 years. Some people will never get to experience the lights of a foreign city at night or try a new food that is considered a delicacy in that area. Some people will go their entire lives and never leave the comfort of their town, their state, or their country. I love my home and my country – and I am proud of where I am from. But I have found so much growth and joy in experiencing the world in my way. I was never one for bucket lists and making lists of things that I had to see or do before I die. Over the years though, I realize my list of experiences has started to resemble that of a bucket list – unintentionally. Both travel related and not, I’ve compiled a list of things that I’ve experience in my life.

I have….

• Kayaked with whales
• Been an extra in a movie
• Ridden a train to the top of the Swiss Alps
• Bee to the Eiffel Tower
• Saw the Mona Lisa and more at the Louvre in Paris
• Flown in a seaplane in Alaska
• Lived in Europe for a short 6 week period
• Snorkeled in the Bahamas
• Seen Big Ben – twice (Hey kids, Big Ben).
• Eaten authentic Italian food in Italy
• Seen Mount St. Helens
• Experienced Times Square (and got proposed to)
• Seen the windmills and tulips of Holland
• Found someone to love – and be loved in return
• Visited the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
• Flown first class
• Spent weekend trips in Chicago, Nashville, Louisville, Orlando and more.
• Been humbled by a concentration camp in Germany
• Stayed a night in the Von Trapp Family Home in Austria
• Experienced the magic of Disney World
• Saw the magic of Harry Potter at Universal
• Breathed in the Smoky Mountain air – 5-6-7-8? Times?
• Tiptoed my way through Anne Frank’s house
• Swam with dolphins
• Explored the Mayan Ruins
• Sailed away on a cruise ship
• Taken a train – overnight and daily travel
• Graduated from college
• Gotten lost on the subway
• Stayed in an Italian coastal town
• Prayed in famous churches and cathedrals all the same
• Witnessed the masterpiece that is the Last Supper
• Discovered I was a bone-marrow match for someone
• Explored more countries than I have U.S. States

Your way of having fun and living life may work for you. But I have decided to live my life the way that brings me the most joy. I fill my life with experiences big and small. I go to new cities and countries and I try the food and embrace the culture and try to leave the familiar behind. I take every tourist moment and unexpected twist of events in and turn it into a memory.

I encourage you to compile your ‘already accomplished’ bucket list. List down things you’ve experienced in your life that others may never have the privilege or desire to do or see. Take that list and continuously add to it, with no agenda other than to have a place to remember the blessings you have had and the things you haven’t yet done.