The great fifth-century Chinese philosopher, Sun Tzu, once said Life is full of goals, so make a bucket list. Or maybe it was Sonny Bono. I can’t remember which, but I read it on the Internet, so it must be true. At any rate, when I read the quote, late one afternoon, I instantly thought it was the most profound thing I had ever read. Or maybe I was reading a recipe for marinated salmon with basil and mint.

Later that evening, after dinner – the salmon was delicious – I pondered the idea of bucket lists. What are they? Do they define your life’s goals? Do they organize your every waking moments? Can you get one at the Home Depot? I pondered the idea because I had never put much thought into what I wanted to accomplish before I die. That’s because I was busy having too much fun living. I didn’t want to spoil it all by dying. Thus, I never created a list of things to do before meeting the Grim Reaper.

Here’s another thing to consider. What happens if you get the end of a bucket list? No more things to do before dying? Is it time to call it quits? Can you add more things to the list and, hopefully, prolong your time here on Earth? Is that cheating death? Will you be living on borrowed time?

Many people I know have created bucket lists for themselves. They list places to go, people to see, things to try, and so forth. I never did. For some reason, a bucket list sounded too much like work. “Let’s see, Paris is on my list. I’m here. Bonjour. Now what? I guess I’ll head to Fiji.” I wouldn’t want to put more emphasis on finishing the list than I would on enjoying the things on the list.

I am getting older now (actually, I have been getting older since May of 1957). Is it time to create a bucket list? Maybe I will. It will be late but at least I’ll have something in which to look forward. As far as what to add to my list: I think I’ll only write down one item . . .

Keep living.