Ok, so it's Tuesday and not Monday. But Ann Voskamp's post spoke to my heart, and brought to the surface a turmoil that has been bubbling in the back of my mind ever since the "bucket list" craze took hold. You see, I've always felt that lists are, well, limiting, even depressing--that is, until I started writing a list of my own thanks after reading One Thousand Gifts. Whether I actually write my list down on paper, type it electronically, or just say it quietly in my conversations with the Lord, I've finally found a list that doesn't make me feel defeated. To do lists always make me feel like a failure because at the end of the day, I've done a myriad of things, but not necessarily what was on the list. Shopping lists get left on the counter, buried in the bottom of the black hole that serves as my purse, or not written down at all. And a BUCKET LIST of what I WANT to do? Sure, there's things I'd LIKE to do--but WILL I? Probably not. Finances, other things that need done more--reality is, my life is already full. When people would ask what was on my bucket list, the only thing I could come up with is to enjoy each day. I've traveled some, but don't really have desires to go overseas, climb mountains, or develop new very challenging skills (hang gliding? NOT ON YOUR LIFE!)   I've found that it's enough to be thankful for what I HAVE had.

And then today I found Ann's post. Couldn't say it better myself. Amen, my sister, amen!

Why does the list of want-to-experiences continue to grow — instead of the list of thanks-for-this experiences?

Why want more to fill our bucket — when I haven’t thanked God for all the ways He’s already filled my cup?

When your cup’s already full of the blessings of God, you don’t need a bucket list.