Planning my 'Bucket List'

Dear Blog Visitors:

A friend reminded me that I haven't done any blogging in quite a while.  This is true.  So, I thought I would give you an update on my latest activities.

First and foremost, I continue to assemble what has commonly been referred to as my 'bucket list.'  For those of you unaware of the term, it refers to a list of activities retirees put together that will hopefully be accomplished before time runs out.

If you have followed my blogging over a period of several years, you are aware that I changed my blog title a while back, because I wanted to focus on a variety of topics, as opposed to concentrating solely on church reform, which was my prior primary concentration.  My life has encompassed many disciplines, inclusive of classical music, broadcasting, free-lance writing, acting, government employment, ministry and church-reform advocacy.  As I continue to formulate my bucket list, it will be a matter of juggling my multi-faceted interests.

As I reflected on my life thus far, I was drawn to a question posed by a Facebook friend.  She asked: "If you could press either a delete or re-do button,  what would you do differently?"  While I have been blessed to try various career paths over the years, there was certainly a dark period in my life.  It was a period in the late 1970's, when I was in my late twenties.  I had just finished three years in radio broadcasting, and I was contemplating a career change.  Not knowing what to do with the rest of my life, I fell into a period of despair, culminating in what amounted to heavy binge drinking and bad relationships.  This lasted for around five years.  Fortunately, my life changed as I turned to my faith, and educational opportunities and career paths soon followed.  So, if I could press a delete or re-do button, it would involve the five years I abused alcohol and experienced bad relationships.  Concerning the bad relationships, I often think I would like to have an opportunity to apologize to those involved in my five dark years.  However, wisdom has often informed me that it is often best to look forward, as opposed to looking back.

I like what I have formulated in my bucket list thus far.  I hope to engage in some traveling, in addition to continuing attendance at classical music concerts and plays.  I also look forward to more free-lance writing and continuing with my ministry, which for the most part, is my being an officiant at weddings.  I also hope to be an advocate for animals, which might include being a volunteer at a shelter.  Concerning church reform activities, I realize that I am getting older and the next generation must take more responsibility for the type of church they wish to participate in.  I will continue to offer my opinions and insights from time-to-time on faith matters.  However, I hope the next generation will become more proactive.

The photo above was taken at Nazareth College, which is one of the locations at which I am an officiant for weddings.

Peace to all,
Ray