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Monday, January 26, 2009

Your "Bucket List" ?

Last night I watched "The Bucket List" for the first time. I purchased the dvd several months back and I haven't had the time to watch it until last night. Morgan Freeman & Jack Nicholson are 2 of my favorite actors of all time. I thought the movie was great, do in part because of the message it tried to relay to the audience.
One scene inparticular grabbed my attention. Jack & Morgan were in Egypt, atop a pyramid with several others in the back ground. Morgan tells Jack, "The Egyptians believed that when they died and went to the entrance of heaven; their entrance into heaven was granted based on the answer of 2 questions". Jack replied, "Ok, I'll bite. What are the 2 questions?" Morgan answered, "1. Have you found joy in your life? and 2. Have you brought joy into someone's life?"
Deep, huh? Yeah, I thought so too.
It made me stop and think for several minutes about those 2 questions.
To answer question #1, I have found joy in my life.
Answering question #2; that's a tough one. I believe I have brought joy to someone's life at some point. I would like to think that I have given joy to many people throughout my life. To know for certain, however, that questioned can only be answered by my friends & family. I hope the majority of them would say "yes".
How would you answer those questions?
If you were told today that you only had 6 months to live, would you have a "bucket list"?
Almost 18 years ago, I was told by my doctor that I only had 9 months to live. A "bucket list" never entered my mind. I was 23, recently married and had a 1 y/o son, David. Besides fighting the cancer, the only thing I wanted was to spend as much quality time with my family and my close friends; just in case.
If I was told today that I only had 6 months left, I am not sure that would change much.
How about you?



7 comments:

terri said...

I haven't seen that one. I really need to. Have I found joy? Some days. I'd really like to find joy in every day. And have I brought joy to someone? Again, at times, but probably not as often as I should. I'm sure if I were given only a few months to live, my attitude and perspective would change dramatically.

Bryan said...

I know I have plenty of room for improvement also, Terri.
I definitely recommend watching this movie. It leaves you with many things to think about.
Thank you for visiting! :-)

jenji said...

I haven't been able to bring myself to watch that one b/c it seemed so very--Hollywood formula contrived-- and I just couldn't watch Jack Nicholson pick up a paycheck in that fashion.

Of course, then again I did manage to sit through Batman (1989). Oy.

Anyway, 16 years ago I had a very near death experience and I can say that it profoundly changed who I am today and how I treat others, as well as how I interpret the world around me.

Your question is a somewhat uncomfortable question to ponder...however, I should think that pondering upon it further could bring no harm, right?

great blog site.

be well,
jenji

Broke But Still Drinking said...

1. I try to find joy several times a day.

2. I like to think I've given joy more times than I can remember.

Bryan said...

Jenji-
Thank you for visiting and I hope to see you again.

Broke-
I am always causing someone to laugh at me so I am certain I bring someone joy throughout my week, Lol.

Marvin said...

I have no bucket list. I've done it all already. ;-) I had low expectations for this life, LOL! But I am happy for every day that I have, and I don't think I've wasted any of it.

Bryan said...

Hey Marvin,
I don't have many regrets either. Every day is a gift and should be treated as such.