"Every man dies — not every man really lives." — William Ross

Recently, I was watching a pageant and a question that a contestant had was "Name three things that are on your bucket list." and the contestant had no idea what she would have on her bucket list. This was a little shocking to me because I just assumed everyone had a bucket list. In my opinion everyone needs a bucket list, no matter how old you are.

So what exactly is a bucket list you may ask? Well a bucket list is a list of all the goals you want to achieve, dreams you want to make come true, and life experiences you want to experience before you die.

Okay so now you know what a bucket list is but why make a bucket list? Well if you don't live by making goals and plans, chances are you spend most of your time caught up in a wishy-washy day-to-day activities. What did you accomplish in the past three or four months? What are your goals for the next three or four months? What if you were to die tomorrow? What would you have accomplished? Having a bucket list reminds you of things that are important to you or things that you find interesting. A bucket list is set for everything and anything you have ever wanted to do, whether it's big, small, or just plain out random.

The whole point of creating your own bucket list is to make sure you are living every moment to its fullest. It is a simple reminder of all the things we want to do in our time here. It isn't a matter of racing the clock or having a count down to that last day, but rather just a list of things we find to be important and things we believe need attention and need to be done.

Now, take out a piece of paper and a pen and start thinking and being writing. Think of some questions such as:

What do you want to do before you die?

What have you always wanted to do but haven't?

Where are places you want to see but haven't?

What do you want to see in person?

What special moments do you want to be able to witness?

What do you want to do with other people you love?

What famous people do you want to meet?

What do you need to make your life complete?

Basically, come up with as many things as you can. If you find yourself to be stuck, chances are you are thinking too hard and limiting yourself by thinking about exterior factors; your bucket list is supposed to be a list of everything you want to achieve, do, see, feel, and experience in your life.

Now look through this list, are there any that stick out to you? If so, add them to your own list! This is just some ideas that have came from my bucket list and my family's bucket list. Go ahead and enjoy!

1. Travel around the world

2. Learn a new language

3. Achieve your ideal weight

4. Run a marathon

5. Try a new sport

6. Go scuba diving/snorkeling

7. Go skiing/snowboarding

8. Try an extreme sport

9. Climb a mountain

10. Learn how to play chess (the real way)

11. Let someone know how much he/she means to you

12. Give a heartfelt surprise to someone who deserves it

13. Perform a kind deed to a stranger with nothing in return

14. Make a difference in someone's life

15. Pursue your passion - no matter how big or small

16. Start your own business

17. Ride in a hot air balloon

18. Do volunteer work

19. See the Northern Lights

20. Witness a solar eclipse

21. Adopt your own pet from a Humane Society

22. Do public speaking in front of a huge group

23. Further your education

24. Play an instrument

25. Go on a spontaneous road trip with friends

26. Pack your bags and go to a random location with no itinerary

27. Swim with dolphins

28. Knit a scarf

29. Make a home made meal for your loved ones all by yourself

30. Buy the first book you see and read it

31. Fly a kite

32. Try to be a vegetarian for one month

33. Fold 1,000 origami cranes and give them to someone special

34. Conquer your biggest fear

35. Encourage at least 5 other people to make a bucket list

36. Try meditating

37. See cherry blossoms in Japan

38. Forgive someone you have been mad at for a long time

39. Organize a picnic

40. Get a tattoo

41. Fly first class

42. Visit a volcano

43. Fly in a helicopter

44. Go bungee jumping

45. Go on a cruise

46. Fall in love

47. Visit a castle

48. Help someone in need

49. Learn sign language

50. Bury a time capsule

51. Go to Disneyland

52. Go on a safari trip

53. Stay awake for at least 48 hours straight

54. Study abroad

55. Attend more than 100 concerts (of all genres)

As you can see, there are an endless amount of things that you can put on your bucket list. Some require planning and money while others do not. Just put your mind to it and come up with some of your own ideas for in your bucket list. Make goals, chase your dreams, and live life to the fullest!