The Day-Long Bucket List

"Of the present time, and of it only, humans have an experience analogous to the experience which our Enemy has of reality as a whole; in it alone freedom and actuality are offered them."
 - C.S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters

A few years ago, probably inspired by the movie, everyone started talking about their "Bucket List." It's a great idea to think big in your life - to think about the places you want to go and the larger experiences you want to have. 

But I was thinking this week, how much emphasis I tend to put on the future and on the past, and how little my heart and mind are firmly rooted in the present.  That's when I came up with the Day-Long Bucket List. 

It's not a to-do list.  The idea is to make a list on a piece of paper, of all the things you want as a part of that day.  The important things. 

I've tried this idea out for the past three days, because I was finding that my time was being sucked up by the internet.  Needless online searches, Netflix watching, facebook, and email checking.  At the end of the day, I didn't look back thankful for the way I spent that time, but more regretted the fact that I hadn't used it wisely in truly good, beautiful, enjoyable, lovely things.  These are the kinds of things I want on my Day-Long Bucket list:

-making time to friends  - calls, letters, emails
-volunteer work or time spent helping others
-creative time - time devoted toward the arts and literature
-prayer time
-study time
-time developing in my career
-exercise
-time for daily chores and work (of course)
-pure fun recreation time

Thinking big is essential.  Having a vision for life that encompasses bungee jumping, skydiving, and trips to Paris is important.  But we will never reach those larger milestones if our day-to-day lives lack vision too. 

We can be sucked into mediocrity when we go into the day without a vision.  It doesn't have to be a mind-boggling to-do list, but maybe just a reminder of what is truly important.