Do you love Facebook memories? I love them. They are a reminder of things I've done over the past years, places I've been and friends I've connected with or met. Over the past couple of days, these two memories popped up.
Wow! I couldn't believe it had been six years since my mom and I tackled a big dream list item. I'll be honest; the Susan G. Komen 3-Day had never been on my list until a good friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. One will do crazy things when they feel helpless. I swear this walk gets sign-ups on sheer emotion because no sane person would sign up to walk 60 miles in three days. I paid my $70 bucks and committed to raising money. OH MY GOSH...what had I done?
Thinking back to the walk reminded me of a comment I received from fellow blogger Melinda Todd about my recent blog discussing my dream list. She commented on this blog saying, "Easier said than done, especially if you have money to live out your bucket list."
She was right. 100% right. A bucket list is easier talked about. That's why so many people do a lot of talking but never take any action. That is why people have regrets. I love that Melinda brought to my attention something I didn't address. My blog made it sound like my friend passed away and BAM! I was living my list. But that was not the reality at all.
I think back to the 3-Day and I prepped and trained, hours upon hours. The training was not easy. The walk was grueling. We basically walked back to back 
marathons in two days with little sleep. I knew it wasn't easy because participants were getting picked up, left and right by a van that would take them to the next checkpoint or to the campsite. I was amazed at how people didn't walk the entire 60 miles. Why? Because it wasn't easy. It was hard, both mentally and physically. It was HOT! Hello, it was August in the Midwest. So, I want to be clear, living your dreams is not easy, but that is why I think being able to check something off the list is so enjoyable. It is about the journey, the challenges, the people you meet, the experiences along the way and the finishing.
Melinda also brought up another great point about the cost of a dream list. Yes, your dream list can be expensive, especially exotic or foreign travel. Your dream list shouldn't be based on a dollar amount and whether or not you can currently afford the item. If you look at my list, you'll see there is a range of items from free to thousands of dollars in cost. Nothing is too little or big for your dream list. Some of my favorite list items were free or under $100.
Here are a couple examples of free or cheap items on my list I’ve checked off:
- I met Coach K (Duke's basketball coach) while volunteering at the Nike basketball camp. FREE!
- I volunteered 100 hours in one year. FREE
- I learned to can. I used veggies from my garden and my friend gave me the jars. FREE
- I planted a garden. The only cost was the starter plants, but in the long run, it saved me money.
- I swam a mile at the local YMCA. I think I paid $35 for six lessons.
Here a couple items still on my dream list that are inexpensive:
- Host my own radio show
- Read 53 books in one year
- Cook a new meal every week for a year
- Be an extra in a movie
- Knit a scarf
It made me sad the other day when one of my coaching clients mentioned he had never learned to set goals and the power of writing them down. I guess it's a good thing he has a good coach (wink, wink) who is teaching him how to DREAM BIG, write down those dreams and then build a plan to pursue and live out those dreams.
Theodore Roosevelt once said, "Do what you can, with what you have, where you."
I think Roosevelt was right. No matter where you are in life, no matter your age, gender, race or income level, you always have the ability to dream, to write those dreams down and pursue them. You might have to work hard, and that's okay. You might not be able to afford some things on your list, right now, but that's okay. Your dream list isn't about the cost of the dream, the list is about you living your life to the fullest and leaving this earth with no regrets. And hopefully, along the way, you will bless others and inspire them to live their list.
What are the low-cost items on your list? Are you pursuing them? If not, why? As a certified life coach, I love helping and empowering people to pursue and live their dreams. If I can help you in any way, send me an email at Stephanie@GivingGal.com or comment below.
Blessings,
Stephanie
About the Author:
Stephanie Jones and her husband, Mike, live in Northwest, IN and enjoy lake life and travel. Stephanie is a writer, speaker, life coach, daily giver and soon to be an author of The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Lifer (pre-order now!). She challenges people to be bold in their actions, accomplish and live their big dreams, and bless others daily through giving.
You can contact Stephanie by email at stephanie@GivingGal.com