I made my first inspirational bucket list for Valentine’s Day in 2021. It was a collaboration with my mama who is the most creative person I know. We started the bucket lists because she has a lifetime of scrumptious recipes that we wanted to seasonally share. My mom currently is taking care of my grandma who has Alzheimer’s and also loving being a grandma to babies again, but she still really loves to bake. You can find her “artwork” on IG at TastesDivineSweets The pic below was our very first Inspirational Bucket List post.
On my side of the fence, I share ways to help women live out love, self care, creativity and hospitality in every season. Specifically, inspirational bucket lists help me to “list” distinct ways to grow good seeds in oneself and out in the community. Below is a short explanation of where the four “bucket list” inspirations come from and why I think living them out contributes to joyful, peaceful, hopeful living.
LOVE
Love is about sharing acts of kindness and encouragement daily, weekly and in big ways from time to time. This outward love comes from the deep love of the Father who first loved us. It’s not possible to genuinely receive God’s love without also being filled with time, energy and gifts to serve others. You will always find several simple ways in my inspirational bucket lists to love others.
SELF-CARE
The bottom line is that most women find it easy to lose sight of the handful of things that make them strong and fill them up. Most of the women I know have an easier time with output than input. Poet Amena Brown gave me insight that the golden rule – – Love your neighbor as yourself – – implies that you must first love yourself in order to love others well. You will always see lots of ways to reconnect with yourself. The end game here is to be revived so that you can continue to do whatever it is you love to do.
CREATIVITY
Creativity is for everyone. Yes, you! Author and Spiritual Director Emily P. Freeman taught me that there a million little ways to live out art. Art doesn’t necessary require a paint brush or easel. We live out art in our vocation, through relationships, parenting, hobbies. Whatever you were made to do, that’s your art. The problem is that, as life goes on, we usually drop creativity down on the list of priorities. In that manner, we lose some of the fullness we were made to experience. My inspirational bucket lists invite you to linger again with creativity so that you can find your way back to living with “lightbulb” moments – – lightbulbs that bring on more joy in your every day.
HOSPITALITY
You can find versions of hospitality in the Danish lifestyle of Hygge, Cozy Minimalist living/decor and all sorts of social supper clubs. I think all of these versions and the hundreds of others have exceptional value. There is a ton of joy that comes from hosting friends or couples for a potluck dinner party in your home. Small acts of kindness like sending encouraging snail mail cards or delivering a basket of food are significant components of hospitality – – which is really just a way to help someone feel loved and seen. There is no real formula for hospitality. In fact, I wrote a whole blog about my hospitality failures and wins. The heart of hospitality is that it flows out of a God’s love. We give joy and find a measure of it from loving others through hospitality.
SUMMER BUCKET LIST
Two years ago, I created this Summer Bucket List. That year, I printed the Bucket List and mailed it to about 200 of you. As you know, I love snail mail and I love the idea that maybe the Bucket List could help even one of you find more joy, peace and hope in your every day. I revisited the bucket list this summer. There are a few things I decided to do, again.
Independence Day Mani
I decided on the red, white and blue mani. I was rather excited about this and it turns out that the manicurist was also. She took pics before I left last Thursday. Double bucket list win.
SUMMER LOVE STORY NOVEL
I decided not to read a summer love story novel. Instead, I chose to watch all three Divergent movies. My daughter and I watched the first one again on the plane home from vacation. I always liked the love story between Tris and Four. In May of 2021, I put a few life lessons in place, which allows me to choose this over that, even if I once wrote a list about that. You can read the keep it simple rules I wrote for myself. I know they will resonate with you.
SUMMER GET TOGETHER
I decided not to invite friends over for Kitchen Sink ice cream or for mocktails. However, I am inviting friends over to make Summer Time Capsules. If you are local and are interested, please send me a message at skatz@skatzlaw.com and perhaps you can join us.
THE MAYBES
The rest of my bucket choices are maybes related to things I used to do. Do I welcome them back? Is my life too different now? Do I let these pass without sticking to me? What is my Best Yes? Even small things take time and resources. Small decisions matter in the big picture.
Do I get involved again in one of the social justice organizations I financially support?
Do I try again to learn the art/skill of Creative Lettering?
STAY IN THE MOMENT
It’s only July. But there are probably fall decorations in Michael’s and Target already. We could be tempted to jump ahead to fall and lose sight of all that God has for us this summer. Push back on the temptation to leave summer early. Take in these days because you won’t get them again. Take what you may need or want from the summer bucket list, or write your own. No matter what, stay here in the summer moment.
Questions to Help Stay in Summer
Which of the four areas could I use the most right now? Love, Self Care, Creativity or Hospitality?
Chose 2-3 bucket list items in the area that would bring the most peace, hope and joy.
Take a look at your choices. Now, choose one more that is outside your interest or comfort zone.
Pick an end date to complete the bucket list items.
Feel free to share this post or download the bucket list right here. (page one, page two)
Dear Sisters, it’s time! The season is changing. It’s time for a spiritual reset! I won’t begin to list the emotions or circumstances that you’ve been walking through, but I do know that now is a good time to refresh yourself. The facts of your life may not be changing at this exact moment, but God is present and here with us to increase our peace, encourage us to growth and lead us straight to joy. Take your time reading over these nine steps. You may read them over a few days or a few weeks. And, if you’d like to download the Spiritual Reset Card, click here. Love you girls so very much and pray this Spiritual Reset is just what you need!
Wake up Hopeful
Because of God’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
In pressing, stressful times, I have found that the harder the struggle, the harder you will have to fight for your hope. Much of what makes hard times hard is that we don’t get to see the outcome in the trenches. As we fight for the people we love and work through circumstances to the best of our ability, hope can wax and wane – – not for any other reason than we are human.
This past year, when I was walking through a long term difficulty, troubled over the future, scriptures taught me that God is not only the God of Love, but also the God of Hope. In the same way, when I look back to a season when I was suffering from depression and panic, again, it was hope that I learned to fight for. When I sit with people I love who are suffering, they also could use a showering of hope and encouragement.
May the God of Hope fill you with peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Each day that we go through hardship, we have a choice to shift our mindset from worry and anxiety to hope. We take our focus off the circumstances and turn our gaze to Him for an overflow of hope. As we cling to His promises, our hope grows and our flame does not go out.
Even if today is excruciatingly hard, God’s mercies and compassions are new every morning. Our merciful, compassionate God is fully good. It is true that God does not always deliver as we expect or in our timing, but he always shows His goodness. He has good outcomes for our lives, our families, and those we hold the dearest. Goodness will always prevail and His mercies are every morning.
Challenge Yourself to Strengthen your Temple
At the start of summer, I had such a good surprise!
A few years ago, I sat across from two good friends and told them that God had showed me that I’ve spent a lot of time growing my mind and spiritual self, but had neglected my body. God showed me a tangled bougainvillea vine as a representation of the state of my body. I had greatly overlooked how hard my body works to house my mind and soul.
Like most journeys, they begin small. I slowly stretched and moved and prayed in the darkness of the yoga room. God met me and strengthened me. He untwisted the vine and eventually showed me pretty pink blooms. Sister, your temple matters. Take some time to find something you can truly enjoy so that you can strengthen the beautiful body that God gave you.
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Honor God with your bodies. 1 Corin 1:6
EnJOY and Savor the Small Things
Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. Enjoy life (with the people you love) . . . Ecclesiastes 9:7-9
That’s right. Eat. Drink. Celebrate. Wear Fun Clothes. Invite People Over. Wear blue eyeliner. (I’ve been all summer.)
True, there is so much to worry about in this unjust, unpredictable world. Yes, there are dark days and grey clouds. Many things can’t be fixed. And, there is a lifetime of work to be done. But, scripture tells us to enJOY our days with a MERRY heart. So. Eat the good meal. Make a fun mocktail. Buy fresh flowers. Be festive and enjoy the small things every day.
Find Your Sacred Spaces & Meet your Father Often
I’m not against the prayer closet. I’ve just never had one. I have a few favorite spots to spend time talking and listening to God. Here are mine. What are you sacred spots?
My bed: I could start by saying that I’m one of those people who loves her bed. But that’s really not the whole story. Years ago, I learned what life can be like for neglected kids and trafficked kids. I also began to understand poverty and how special it is to have a safe roof over your head and a comfortable bed. From that point on, my bed became a place of gratitude. With an open, grateful heart, I spend a lot of time talking to God in my bed at night, sometimes in the middle of the night and in the early morning. This has become one of my sacred spaces.
Walking near the beach: I like walking beside the beach on the side walk. I walk by restaurants, through little parks with benches and pass the tourists and retirees. Most of what I see sparks creative thoughts that I talk to God about or ask God about. The beach is a special place for me.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16
Love Others Through Hospitality & Invite People to Your Table
What does home feel like to you? It doesn’t have to be your actual home and it doesn’t even necessarily have to be a place. What makes you feel like home?
I feel like home when . . .
I’m covered with a cozy blanket on a comfy couch with a yummy drink.
I talk on the phone with a dear friend.
I’m with people who have welcoming hearts that are open to listening and giving feedback.
I receive a personalized present or card in the mail.
My mom bakes dessert from scratch or goes to a special bakery and shares with me.
A friend picks up the bill after an enjoyable coffee or meal together.
I’m invited to a special event or someone else’s family party.
This is how you love others through hospitality. You make a list of what feels like home to you and you do that for others. No-frills, no pretense, just do it.
I’m sharing some pics that represent a spring and summer of hospitality for me! Some are on the giving side and some are on the receiving side. (Starting from left to right/description below)
Spending the day with M prepping for her mom’s bday
Looking at pics with my grandma at the nursing home
Being surprised with a beautiful bday cake at my sister in laws
“Welcome to the Table” celebration for my daughter
Two girls who show up & with flowers (always)!
Bonding with the next generation
Speaking into each other after a women’s conference
Creating welcoming arrangements for my home
Our foster dog and Swiss foreign exchange student (Ha! He’s really like our nephew!)
Hospitality Verses:
Luke 19:1-9 (Jesus’ first words to Zachaeus are let’s get together today!)
Luke 10:38-39 (Mary and Martha invite Jesus for a meal and to spend time with them)
Find Rest, Time is on your Side when you Walk with God
I came across this quote on Pinterest. You’re probably familiar with it.
This is actually true when you are walking with God.
Remember the sabbath and keep it holy. Exodus 20:8
Rest isn’t only about setting apart one day of the week. Sabbath is a mindset.
Let’s state the obvious: there are seasons when we are strapped for time with little rest. Newborns sleep deprive a mama. Tax season drains the accountants’ body and brain. Finals week is the single focus for the college kid. Overwhelming seasons exist. However, the mindset of sabbath is a way to live.
One of my favs, author John Mark Comer tells us that rest is one of the ways of Jesus. Comer shares in his books that Jesus was never too busy and he made rest an attainable rhythm in his life.
I am going to leave your personal definition of rest and how you schedule it to you and Jesus. You know your quirks and stressors and God will help you find your way to a sabbath mindset. Here are a few things to think about:
Define rest with your particular life and schedule in mind.
Your rest doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.
Throw off any guilt you may have about getting the rest you need.
Choose a Practice to Spark Creativity
I feel strongly about the life rhythm of creativity. My strong feelings have little to do with whether you or me can create beautiful art. Instead, creativity is a way to mirror our Father who has been creating since before time began. When we set aside time to ponder and be in awe of God‘s creation and the beautiful things of this world that he’s orchestrated through human expression, God has an opportunity to spark creativity within us.
For me, this is the reason I always find my way back to writing. I spend time looking at God’s creation and beautiful things in this world. Eventually, I feel in awe of God and it comes out, at least in part, by writing. When I engage in creativity, the act of expression truly fills a part of my heart that feels pleasure when it speaks.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17
My Creative Sparks:
Baking every week – – it’s fun and rewarding to make and share something good.
I have a mindful lettering workbook on my home desk that I occasionally practice in. I have a goal to write prettier letters to my friends.
Beach walks so that I can look around and see what the Lord is showing me through my surroundings.
I create Pinterest boards in certain areas of interest. Collecting things brings me joy.
Dr. Curt Thompson tells us (in my words) that the awe of beauty and creating beauty is actually part of what rewires our brains and helps heal us from suffering and trauma. Creativity is way to connect with your Father and grow deeper in your relationship with him. If that idea feels very distant to you, then think about your childhood or a season in your life when you felt extremely free.
More Creative Sparks:
Try adult Legos. You can make all kinds of fun things like a succulent garden.
Put a puzzle on your dining room table.
Learn how to make charcuterie boards.
Reinvent your closet by creating new and fun outfits with thrift or consignment pieces.
Get a job in an industry you love, i.e. my friend Donna became a beauty consultant out of her love for the theater.
Go to a convention or special event with a group of friends to learn and grow in an area that sparks your creativity for months to come.
With love, God created you with the ability to have creative sparks popping in your mind and soul regularly. If you’ll make time for creativity, the Lord will meet you there and life will become lighter, sweeter and deeper.
Sleep Well, God is Singing Over You
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
When the night falls, He is singing over you. He is present in your deep sleep. He is there when you lay awake, whether in peace or panic, or somewhere in between. Even with the best evening practice to prepare for rest, sleep can be a struggle. Even when we pray and employ all the tools for getting a good night sleep, we may not get the rest we desire.
I don’t have a hack for sleeping peacefully, but I do know that, whatever sleep cycle you are in, He is with you, singing over you. I challenge you to worry less about the sleep cycle you are in and let the night be a time for God to minister to your body, mind and soul. In other words, if sleep escapes you, let that time serve as time with God to grow in peace. Let that time diminish the anxiety, worry or panic you may feel in the night. Of course, we all want deep, renewing sleep, but if it’s not where you are, let go of the concern and find peace while God sings over you in the night.
Remember Truth
Finally, remember that you could very well think of yourself as a master of everything on this Spiritual Reset list. But masters, we will never be. We have a master to follow, mirror and grow into his reflection. We have a master that will make all things new one day, but not so much today. Go and do and be all of the things. But in your heart of hearts, know that all of it will fall just a little bit short. And, that’s okay because another day is coming. Remember what your King says to you:
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear… Revelation 3:11-13
Today is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:18
Isn’t that the truth?
Isn’t it also true that most days are made of small movements and small actions that may or may not feel worthy of rejoicing?
Both are true.
Since both are true, I have a tried and true practice to share with you. My bucket lists get to the heart of everyday joy and gladness – – even when you have no great reason to rejoice or be glad.
Bucket Lists!
With bucket lists, we can intentionally choose to lean into Psalm 118 and build into our lives authentic happiness. We can light up the mundane, spark hope from burdens and shine rays of light into any day, week or month – – with the simple practice of creating and living out bucket lists.
I create bucket lists based on the small things I may overlook or not include in my daily planner or in life in general. My four buckets are love, self care, creativity and hospitality. Here are my reasons why.
Love
I chose love because I never want to lose sight of loving others. Most of the time, expressing love to someone else takes the focus off yourself and expands your perspective. Whatever may be taking center stage in your own life can take a step back while you direct care to someone else.
Self Care
In the same way I don’t want to lose sight of loving others, I don’t want to neglect myself either. I have been down that awful road of neglect and desire to forget not the value of a strong mind and body. Self care is an essential element to my bucket lists.
Creativity
I have a taxing career. Law lends itself to deadlines and conflicts and has little mercy for human error. Moreover, work does a good job of yelling louder than the other areas of life. For that reason, I must make space for creativity. My joy comes from creating, sharing and filling needs in creative ways. My creative outlets allow positive energy to flow into my career and the rest of my life. Hence, including creativity as an element of my bucket list keeps me moving toward a balanced life.
Hospitality
Last, I believe deeply that Jesus was the most hospitable person who ever lived. He welcomed others from the heart. As follows, wherever he was, he gave invitations. To dinner. To fish. To spend time talking. To follow dreams. To encourage. To see. To walk. To preach. To make disciples. Heartful hospitality is one of the ways I seek to mirror Jesus. I use bucket lists to help me pursue that end.
How ToCreate a Powerful Bucket List
When I begin to write a bucket list, I start with the four buckets of love, self care, creativity and hospitality and intertwine them with the season of the year. I search for inspiration on Pinterest, in the books that I read and in the conversations I have. I sit with a journal and colorful pen. I scribble, cross out and write some more until I have a working list. I usually have 4-5 items within each bucket. At that point, I organize the items so that the list is cohesive and distributed evenly among the buckets.
From there, I share with two or three friends to see what they think. After the feedback, I make a few changes and head to Canva to create a design.
Build Your Life with Bucket Lists
The truth is that not every day may lend itself to rejoicing and gladness. Despite that, we can lean into Psalm 118 and build happiness into our lives.
Today is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:18
As a practice, I clip my bucket list into my daily planner. I glance at the list from time to time and check off, with joy, the little things that I have done to make life sweet in every season.
Now that it’s the end of January, I’m sharing my bucket list progress update. More pics to come as I work through my New Year Bucket List.
Instead of buying your next bday gift, handmake or bake the presentChoose a pretty piece of card stock paper to write your 2023 Book List (This is my January book)Fill a purse you don’t use with items a struggling woman needs and bless her!Choose a growth area and ask a friend to join you in the journey for six weeks
Intentional joy matters. I would love to hear how you are pursuing joy in your own life. Share in the comments below or email me at sasha@sashaakatz.com.
If you missed the New Year Bucket List, here it is again.
There are thousands of ways to live intentionally. In fact, this is one of the widest action words I know. Intention can be applied to literally every area of our lives. Work, relationships, faith, parenting, friendships, fitness, mental well-being, hobbies/interests . . .When the options are so vast, intention can get lost in the opportunities.
Simply put, intentionality is taking specific actions toward an outcome that is important to you.
Intention can get lost in the action and execution when we don’t first determine what is important to us. We can adopt someone else’s list of intentional acts because they appeal to us. But if the purpose isn’t in line with our own purpose, intentional living ends up fizzling out or burning us out.
Why I Started Creating Bucket Lists
I started making bucket lists about two years ago. Previous to that, I had shifted from writing to women’s networking for a time. When it was time to shift back to writing, I lacked inspiration and my personal why. Creating bucket lists were a simple way to find what was important to me again.
My first bucket list was for Valentine’s Day. The list focused on loving others, self care, creativity and hospitality. You can look at that first bucket list and all of the others by clicking here.
Four Pillars
As I continued to create bucket lists for Spring, Summer, Fall, Christmas and the New Year, my why became clearer and clearer. My four personal pillars represent what is important to me.
Loving others is a biblical call and brings me joy.
Self care is an area I have neglected most of my adult life. However, I can confidently say no more after a lot of growth in the last few years.
Input and output in the way of creativity is what keeps my soul alive. I find that I am more fully myself and happy when I am honoring creativity in my life.
I think I could write a book on hospitality. In this brief bullet, I will share that my home with its furniture, accessories and food represents a valuable way to invite others into peace, comfort and enjoyment.
The List Must Bolster Wholeness, Not Productivity
My understanding of intentionality also grew as I wrote and lived out bucket lists. I learned that if, even for one minute, the list felt like a burden, then the list was no longer serving its purpose. If the list sneakily transitioned to a measure of productivity, then it was time to stop. Or, if the list negatively impacted my worth, then the list lost its worth. Make sense?
Bucket List Mantra
As I continued to create bucket lists, this became my mantra:
My bucket lists are about bearing fruit. They are intentional guides to help you live out love, self care, creativity and hospitality in every season.
Fall Bucket List Progress
This week on IG, I shared my Fall bucket list journey thus far. I’m sharing the pics here with more detail. Enjoy. Be inspired. Be intentional. Be bold with your love. Down below you will find a few questions to help you write your own seasonal bucket list.
Three of us pooled resources for this fall bundle of goodness. I dropped it off, sent a text that something was outside and hopped back in the car. We picked this friend because she is a giver and tends to isolate when she is in need of comfort, sisterhood and understanding. This was our way of delivering that to her while honoring her desire to seek solace within her home.
Dustyn is my monthly coffee date for the rest of the year. She doesn’t know that it’s life giving to me to serve her as she lives out a part of her story I see in myself. What a blessing to exercise vulnerability, laughter and sisterhood.
I love my green pumpkin. I also have a yellow and orange striped cutie with a green ribbon tied around the stem. I have been known to go overboard with my pumpkin purchases, but I am quite happy with these two this year.
We have fall scented candles in every room. Many of them are lit right now. The last three people who walked through the front door said, what smells so good? Bull’s eye!
If you flipped over this card, you would see that I have written three Christmas miracles I am praying for. I hope to write a few more. Some are big and some are small, but all mean something to me.
Discovery Questions: WRITE YOUR OWN BUCKET LIST
Name four things that are important to you. You could include categories like I did or individual people, a specific hobby, something work related. Enjoy writing a few important things.
Once you have a few important things, think about your season of life. You could choose the actual season as I did. Or you could note your life season such as empty nester, busy time at work, hurting in need of healing, overflowing season . . .
Write down the season you chose in number two on the top of a sheet of paper. Below it, write the four things that are important to you.
Now you are ready to write your bucket list. Be inspired by things that are important to you in the season of life you are in. Give yourself a time frame to live out your bucket list items.
