Help Me With My Bucket List

Posted byFractured Faith BlogPosted inA Fractured FaithTags:, , , , , , , , , , , ,

I turned 49 today. I know, I know, I don’t look a day over 39 you silver tongued charmers. I’ve had a fantastic day with the family, received some lovely presents and eaten far too much. Back running again tomorrow in order to burn off the 49 million calories I consumed today. Thank you to those of you who sent birthday greetings and/or participated in my birthday related posts throughout the week.

Over pizza this afternoon, Fionnuala and the kids challenged me to compile a bucket list of ’10 things’ I want to do before I hit the dreaded big 50 in 365 days time. For, truth be told, I am dreading it a bit. I’ve achieved a lot but I still believe there is a lot more left in the tank. I’ve made progress but the road ahead stretches over the horizon and out of sight. I still feel like that awkward 15 year old.

Here’s what I’ve come up with:

1. Run my 10th marathon.

2. Succeed in my new job.

3. Publish my first novel, ‘The Kirkwood Scott Chronicles: Skelly’s Square.’

4. Write Book 2 in the KSC series.

5. Complete my Wattpad story, ‘Bomb Girl.’

6. Read The Bible and The Lord of the Rings from cover to cover.

7. Get A Fractured Faith to 20,000 followers.

8. Bench press a minimum of 60kg.

9. Create a new look front garden.

And yes, I realise that’s only nine goals. Which is where you lot come in. I’m inviting suggestions for a 10th and final suggestion for the bucket list. Just drop a comment below. I’ll let you know if it’s a possibility and announce the ‘winner’ next week. And sorry for over egging the birthday celebrations. It’s just WordPress has been desperately quiet of late and I’m trying to inject a smidgeon if interaction and community.

Thank you, as ever.

Published by Fractured Faith Blog

We are Stephen and Fionnuala and this is our story. We live in Northern Ireland, have been married for 17 years and have three kids - Adam, Hannah and Rebecca. We hope that our story will inspire and encourage others. We have walked a rocky road yet here we are today, together and stronger than ever. We are far from perfect and our faith has been battered and bruised. But an untested faith is a pointless faith. Just as a fractured faith is better than none at all. We hope you enjoy the blog.

98 thoughts on “Help Me With My Bucket List”

  4. 10. Fall into Friendship

    While I was in the hospital, I came across an experience that should be on every bucket list of people wanting to experience passion and excitement and intimate connection. Without trying, God placed a new person in my life. That person opened up completely and shared all that he could about himself in a short period of time.

    The experience of getting to know a stranger wholly and deeply is beyond explanation. When a stranger walks in and starts to feel like more of a friend than every other friend you have ever had throughout your life is amazing. It’s thrilling. It’s fulfilling.

    You are sharing yourself openly and in a way that compromises no part of your life and yet you are connecting wholly to a person who has never been there before. It takes blind trust and pure connection to make this bucket list item work. And the power of relying on those two things is mind blowing in euphoria producing capability.

    I don’t think it’s something you try to do but rather something you open yourself up to having happen. Friends can come at any time but Falling into Friendship is an art where you give yourself completely to someone new and feel blessed to experience their open expression that is given in return.

    In short, when a stranger catches your attention when they cross your path, open yourself up to friendship and see who latches on to the hook. I’m sure you’ll find a catch!

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  5. I have followed you since day one, and this is the second time WP unfollowed me from accounts I love. I have no idea why this would be, and quite frankly, it infuriates me. If I find that we are being censored or censured in any way, I will sue their pants off. Grow a lovely garden, it’s so life giving. XOXO

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  7. hhhmmmm I think great bucket list items are things that scare or intimidate you to push yourself…. What is something you have always wanted to do but couldn’t muster the courage?

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      1. Depends on if you want it to be practical or just per your own preferences, I reckon. I studied French in high school and college, and I really liked the language but it’s not really practical in the US.

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  14. Happy actual birthday! Way to yoke it. Just kidding. Its very cool to use your platform to help others.
    My advice for number 10? Can you eat your weight in honeycomb ice cream?

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      1. If I could find honeycomb ice cream anywhere I would have done it already! Sounds amazing! I miss my favorite import Violet Crumble. Stopped seeing that in the US a few years ago. ☹️

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  16. Happy birthday, Stephen! I think adding travel or a charitable act would be a wonderful thing to add to your bucket list. You do have a platform here that you can use to create change in the world. Whatever you decide to do, enjoy this last year in your 40’s!

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  17. When I turned 60 I learned to ride a motorcycle. I am a total and complete coward and was scared spitless. But, with a great deal of stress in my life at the time, it became a beloved release. I will be turning 70 later this year (unbelievable), and might be giving it up but wanted to be able to say I rode a motorcycle at 70! We will see. Just a thought along with many others. Don’t know what time it is where you are, but Happy Birthday or – Happy Belated Birthday and blessings.

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  20. Happy Birthday (though you probably won’t see this until tomorrow due to time difference, in that case belated Happy Birthday).

    That’s quite a bucket list, but I think you need to add something completely silly, like, I don’t know, run a marathon wearing your wife’s dress – perhaps for breast cancer. How’s that for a suggestion. But, if you take me up on it I want to see pictures.:) I hope your day was absolutely frivolous and totally enjoyable!

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      1. Nor do I sadly but it doesn’t stop us from dreaming. Maybe a good one would be to have a positive change on someones life? 🙂

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  28. I like Lord of the Rings. Totally worth it! And I’ve been wanting to read the Bible front to back. Maybe we can do it together. BTW, my new blog is ashleyeveland.wordpress.com (I wrote Ordinary Travels.) I miss your wonderful words. 🙂

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  30. Happy birthday 🎊
    Might I suggest, number 10 on the bucket list be to do 1 thing a day, for an entire year, to make someone smile. It could be family, friend or stranger, but you must go out of your way, or above the call of duty per say.

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  31. Happy belated birthday! I don’t have any suggestions for your bucket list – it looks like you’ve already gotten some fantastic ones! 🙂

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  33. I’ve got not a single idea for you. I turned 49 in February and never dreamed of a 12 month bucket list. Hmm, maybe I should rethink this because my fiancé has a bucket list item of running the Run Disney Dopey in January 2021. (He wanted it for his 50th). That’s a 5k, 10k, Half, and Full Marathon in four days (Thursday-Sunday). He has done it once before. And sorry, it’s very expensive but it’s a great goal for a runner! 😜

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  34. More compassion? To oneself too.
    But that’s more of a journey than a goal.
    Anyways, I just wanted to say that It’s a great post and come to think of it, the comments are fun too.
    Happy birthday, belated.

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