Today’s topic from the Marketing for Romance Writers blog hop is Bucket Lists: Have or Have Not.

My answer: Mostly not.

My life has unfurled as a series of opportunities and choices. Through sheer dumb luck, I was born in a prosperous country where I don’t have to focus my daily toil on mere survival. Others just as smart, just as worthy, aren’t as lucky.

There’s not enough time between the cradle and the grave to explore all the possibilities open to me, all the talents that might, with training and perseverance, blossom into something juicy and satisfying. So, when presented with a choice, I’ve picked one option and run with it. If it doesn’t play out, something else will come along.

I’ve travelled enough to scratch my wanderlust itch. I had a child who’s now a wonderful woman. I’ve loved and lost and loved again.

I’ve had some professional success as a writer—just a tiny bit—and am enjoying the journey. If it ceases to amuse me, I’ll do something else. Heck, I’m 57. (Happy birthday to me!) My time on earth is short and getting shorter. Why else are we here if not to love each other and enjoy our lives?

So, no. I don’t have a list of things I want to do or places I want to see before I die. I’m just keeping my eyes peeled (icky image, eh?) for exciting possibilities.

Lacking anything profound to say on this topic, I’ll share a few quotes from writers wiser than I.

“The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.”

                                                                –Gilbert K. Chesterton

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”

                                                                –Ursula K. Leguin

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.”

                                                                –Martin Buber

“I haven’t a clue how my story will end, but that’s all right. When you set out on a journey and night covers the road, that’s when you discover the stars.”

                                                                –Nancy Willard

Is your bucket list full or empty? Eclectic or carefully planned? Join the conversation here: https://mfrw52week.blogspot.com/

Image by Ian Wakefield from Pixabay.