Talking about how important communication is in establishing great relationships and reading a recent post from Barbara Swafford about the connections we make online, I was inspired to write a special list.
You may have heard of the so called “Bucket List” – well I don’t have one. I never did and to tell you the truth I was never thinking of making one. I really like living life in the moment and making sure that I am realizing my dreams today, not waiting for some ‘tomorrow’ to come.
Well having said that, and based on my inspiration, I realized that there was a special “bucket list” that I wanted to make.
I have “met” virtually (for now) so many special people in the online world. Whether through social media or blogs, my circle of friends and meaningful people in my life expanded greatly in the past 2 years!
That is why today I would like to share with you a special “bucket list” that I made. All of the items on this list can only be possible if the amazing people that I mention are involved in each task.
Will I get a chance to accomplish it all before I choose to retire from this physical lifetime? I don’t know, and to tell you the truth it isn’t even about that. These events are too special to just do them for the sake of doing them. What I do know for sure is that if I could today, this is what I would love to do. I would love to experience the following, what some may call simple moments, yet very meaningful ones to me, with the following wonderful people.
So here is my ‘special connection based bucket list‘ (in no particular order):
1. Hike a trail in New Mexico with Robin Easton
2. Take a drive through Arizona in the “Happy Bug” with Tess Marshall
3. Take a yoga class with Stacey Shipman
4. Spend a weekend with Julie Riddle and her horses
5. Enjoy a summer day in Wisconsin talking about spiritual growth with Lance Ekum
6. Have a cup of herbal tea talking about healthy eating with SuZen
7. Spend an afternoon in Niagara Falls sharing our passions with Megan Bord
8. Sit around a bonfire talking about the “bigger things” with Bernie Krausse
9. Wrap some presents with Stacey Matthews
10. Witness the butterfly migration in Texas with Karl Staib
11. Attend a Levity Project Event with Katie West
12. Have an optimally healthy lunch in South Africa with Hanlie Blewett
13. Take some photographs in Virginia Beach with David Lind
14. Attend a spiritual conference with Jenny Mannion
15. Cook butternut squash soup with Davina Haisell
16. Enjoy a meditation session with Chris Edgar
17. Visit a Renaissance Faire with Jannie Funster
18. Attend a dancing event with Sara Healy
19. Have a green smoothie with Nathalie Lussier
20. Experience a Buddhist ritual with Nadia Ballas-Ruta
21. Talk about past lives in Singapore with Evelyn Lim
22. Explore the ideas of naturopathy in India with Zeenat Merchant-Syal
23. Share tips about home-schooling with Lisis Monturiol Blackston
24. Do bird photography in Iceland with Chris
25. Take in the cool sea breeze of Chania, Greece with Carla
26. Visit an airport and just be an observer with Jay Schryer
27. Visit an organic farmer’s market in Oregon with Akemi Gaines
28. Enjoy a vegan meal in New Mexico with Anthony J.W. Benson
Well, I won’t tell you that this is the end…. as this is one list that I know will be dynamic and ongoing as I continue to meet, connect and get to know better so many more of you out there. Perhaps some of us already know each other and will get to know each other better. Perhaps some of us are just getting to know each other. What I do know too, is that there are still so many wonderful people out there who I know I will one day connect with – so welcome :)
All in all, at this time I am so grateful for the wonderful laughs, reflections, emails, comments, virtual talks, Skype talks and phone calls that I have had with many of you and I look forward to many more!
Please feel free to share in the comment section below, something you would love to experience in person, with someone you have met in the online world :)
*Photograph provided by momofthebarn
About the author:Evita Ochel, B.Sc., B.Ed., CHN - is the founder and editor of EvolvingBeings.com – an online publication featuring various topics on spirituality and metaphysics. Evita teaches consciousness expansion and heart-centered living to help people attain deep meaning, peace and happiness in their life. She is also a nutritional science and holistic health expert for optimal health and longevity. Learn more about Evita Ochel or Follow her on Twitter.
53 Comments to “How Personal Connections Inspired a Special Bucket List”
Evita,
Your beautiful soul shines through so brightly. This is such so thoughtful and caring…every bit of it.
And on my bucket list would be a visit to Canada…and to a special someone’s (YOU!) new home. Evita, it would be a complete joy to experience the beauty of nature, with you. (and to see your smile, in person…)
There are many very special people I have met online – many of whom I would love very much to meet in person. One of these people I would love to experience a Pacific Ocean swim with. A sweet, caring, and giving soul in so many, many ways…and I am blessed to know her.
…and I am blessed to know you…
Be well, awesome friend!
Hi Lance
Oh Lance you are always so kind and sweet – thank you :)
And you are so invited to our new place – I can imagine showing you and Lora beautiful, wild parts of Ontario and we can have so many beautiful and meaningful talks in person.
I look forward to what the future holds and I have no doubt that this meeting will take place whether in Wisconsin or Ontario :)
Hi Evita,
Now that’s what I call a bucket list. Then you could blog about each one and share photos of your experience.
I’m happy to hear my post partly inspired this one. Thank you for the mention as well as the link. :)
Hi Barbara
How do I thank you for all the wonderful work you do?!?
You have I have to say the best web site when it comes to understanding blogging and that is what keeps me coming back regularly. What you write is relevant, warm and helpful – thank you for that :)
And I look forward to getting to know you even better too :)
Ahhh, this is a post almost as sweet as its author!
What a loving original way to honor us humbled ones. I know I am deeply humbled to be on this list of sweet beings.
Would that we all could join each other as one big loving boisterous group to share in these activities together! Actually, I think through trancendental travel we indeed can all enjoy all of these with each other.
What a beautiful post from a beautifl soul! Thank you, Sweet Evita!
xo
Hi Jannie
What an awesome idea – imagine we could do it all together!
Well in spirit we can.
Jannie you are one of the funniest, if not the funniest person I know on the web and I love the lightness and fun that you approach all things with. Thank you for that :)
Evita, thank you so much for this lovely post. Of all the various bucket lists I’ve read, this seems the most special because it is all about sharing and relationship and community. As I read through it, I kept thinking, “Oh, I want to do that too! Can I come?”
You are blessed to have so many truly wonderful, amazing people in your life with whom you could share these amazing moments. And, thank you, for wanting to share one of them with me. :) You and hubby are always welcome at our home in Chania. It would be a delight for you to see this rich and diverse island with all of its natural beauty, and we’d love to see it with you.
Beautiful post, Evita. Just as you are beautiful. xx
Hi Carla
You can so come and join in any of these activities, as each of these people is so special in their own way.
I know the four of us would have a grand time by the sea and in the island sun and who knows….maybe it will just happen one day!
And our doors are always open if you ever want to visit the Canadian side of nature :)
Hi Evita .. I think that’s great and actually the way you’ve listed everyone out – and there’ll be more .. I can hear them tapping their way on to the list .. with the reason for wanting to meet up and share a special time. Bucket lists should be like that.
A while ago someone I suspect on the list or close by (can’t remember who though) asked .. what would we still like to do? .. and I said I’d love to ‘toddle around seeing new parts of countries, new countries and being able to meet up with blogging buddies’ learning so much anew. An opportunity and a reason to travel in a different way, exploring new ways of life, new horizons ..
Love the post and your ideas and thoughts .. thank you .. and you haven’t anyone from England or Scotland on there or Wales or Ireland ..?? Bye .. have a good rest of the week!
Hi Hilary
Oh Hilary, that is what is so great – there will be so many more, and I feel so blessed at having come into contact with all these people, and so many more.
I am so enjoying getting to know you and you are right, no one from the UK area, and I was thinking of you too, in how much fun it will be getting to know you more and envisioning how we can spend our time in the beautiful green plateaus that I imagine your areas are so full of :)
And Hilary, if you are up for a visit to Ontario, Canada – our doors are open if you want to check out the wilder and more natural parts where our new home will be. It would be so much fun to meet in person and get to know blogging friends even better :)
Hi Evita .. one day I’ll be back to Canada .. and I’d love to get to Ontario .. only been to Calgary, over to Vancouver via the Rocky Mountaineer, and then Vancouver island to a cousin of my Ma’s .. fun and I’d love to see more of the country .. so who knows one day!! Enjoy the weekend .. bye – Hilary
Evita,
This is the sweetest post! I have been off line from the blogosphere for about three weeks…and just as I was settling in to get into the groove this morning, I saw your post in my inbox and it beckoned to be the first one read!
I feel like this is one of the best ideas I have seen.(shhhh I am totally printing this one out!) I am SO inspired by it…and of course so touched to be on this list (and yes The Levity Project is coming to Canada in June!) I love how you encapsulated each person and their gifts in a single sentence or idea.
Evita you are so beautiful and thoughtful. Maybe we could hatch an idea of the bloggers all getting together…and who knows maybe we could all do a Levity event and laugh!
Thank you for being out there for having the vision to create a site that is my go to place for inspiration, knowledge, and new modalities/products.
all blessings to you today.
Katie
Hi Katie
Thank you Katie! And your comments made my heart melt – thank you :)
And I am thrilled that the Levity Project is coming to Canada…well, looks like you may be the first one on my bucket list that I get to experience – how awesome!
I look so forward to it and to getting to know each other even more!
HI Evita,
What a wonderful bucket list! I am all inspired to write my own. I think i will just hop on and visit some of our common blogging pals with you :) Ok Ok I wont hijack your list… ;)
I love how you have your mind open to trying all these new things. Thats what makes life so awesome…
Thank you fro mentioning me too ! YAY! I would love to meet you…would be super awesome..just like YOU!
Big Hug and lots of love,
Z~
Hi Zeenat
Oh no problem Zeenat, I would love to do all these things even with other bloggers, that would make it even more fun I imagine!
So we will see what the future holds, or shall we say what we will manifest :)
I know I love what you do, and where you live, and it would be so much fun to meet in person too!
Hi Evita,
What a great list! What a creative way to mention how you would like to spend time with all those who have touched your heart. I am honored to be included in the list.
I say we experience that Buddhist ritual up in Dharmasala where the Dalai Lama lives in India. That would be awesome plus you can also see the Himalayas from there.
Hi Nadia
Thanks! You know you are so dear to me in so many ways and when I thought of you, I wanted to do something very different, and I know you have had amazing experiences with India, or Buddhism or even just how you talk and live life, and I thought, wouldn’t it be fun to do something so different with Nadia?!
And your idea sounds amazing!!! I know some people can look at all this and say how unrealistic… or it will never happen. But you know what, as I mentioned in the intro, whether it happens or not is a bonus… what matters to me now, is that I already created the experience in my mind and it felt so good to live it and feel it as if it almost happened!
Hi Evita! I LOVE your list (and not because I am on it – thanks!) but because it shows how you yourself have given/shared so much that you really “know” people! What a gracious and lovely way to acknowledge all the souls that have touched you! AWEsome, Evita – you are just awesome!
As for the herbal tea and chat with you about healthy eating, the kettle is always on! It’s almost spooky that you picked that connection with me since I am in the process of some major adventure in the health field – details later this year. I will talk healthy eating with anyone, anytime, anywhere!
hugs
suZen
Hi SuZen
Thank you so much SuZen!
SuZen I am so thrilled to see how passionate you are and how proactive about a healthy way of life and voicing your opinion of what is happening with our food, etc.
I really wanted to say your Lake House to have this tea, but I didn’t want to invite myself in :) LOL – but yes I imagine us having herbal tea in your new Lake House and examining the different ideas and sharing our passions when it comes to healthy eating.
And I am very excited to hear about your new adventure!!!
Evita,
OK now it’s my turn to borrow from you;) I’ll be doing my list later…
Great minds think on the same channel. When Megan Bord and I were with Jay in CA he bagan talking about doing a conference with those in our blogging community…I swear you must have been listening! Myself and Megan jumped on board immediately. I think Joy was at work when the discussion happened but know she would be game. So what do you think I’m ready to go for it…
Thanks for being in my life…my response to your last comment is I’m wallpapering my home in your words of wisdom. xo
Hi Tess and Evita and Jay and Joy .. don’t leave me out .. I’m burrowing under the pond now – it’s drier down there than here on land!! See ya …. great idea
Hi Tess
You can do so whenever you like :) It would be an honor really!
How is it that I didn’t know that you and Megan and Jay met? How awesome is that!
A blogging conference for all of us together sounds awesome – I am in, and definitely keep me in the loop :)
You are so awesome and it is me too who is so grateful for having you in my life. To many more talks, smiles and laughter!!!!
One more thing…let me know when you’re coming so I can clean my “bug.”
Just kidding;) My hubs convinced me of that priority when I began as a counselor. He said, “If one of your clients parked next to you and looked into your car, what would they think?” I replied, “That Tess is a mess!”
His point was well taken and it’s been clean ever since:)Isn’t love grand?
Ha! That is too funny!
Great advice on your husband’s part, but I will tell you something, I really don’t mind what state your car is in – in the end it is the company that matters.
And yes, love is so grand!!!
Nice Evita. Spring is in the air and we are feeling expansive down here in Virginia. Based on your recommendation I hope to get to know these folks. They look like a pretty interesting group. Thanks again.
Hi David
This list wouldn’t have been complete without you! I know you love photography and you take such great pics, and I would love to share in that experience with you in your beautiful Virginia!!!
I love the idea of a bucket list. There are so many things that I want to do, but never get to. If I put them on a list I know I would be more inclined to make them a reality.
I’m going to make a bucket list of my own. I’ll work on it in the next couple weeks. I’ll let you know when it goes live.
Sounds great Karl!!!! I look forward to it!
And you know when it came to you, I thought, well I want to meet Karl’s wife and Karl’s baby, and Karl of course :) But I thought I remember when you wrote about the butterfly migration and I love butterflies, and it sounded so beautiful, so I thought that is what I would love to experience the most with you and of course your beautiful family!
Oh, Evita, I want to be a tagalong! :) What a wonderful, thoughtful list filled with beautiful people. The way you highlighted what is especially meaningful to you made it more special. Thank you for including me and the horses; LOL, I’m sure our husbands would love to join us! ;)
You’re SO special, so generous with yourself, so giving of love and vibrant energy, so filled with optimism and enthusiasm… You surely do brighten the world!! And I love the way you think! I’m so very glad you’re as beautifully wise as you are so early in life, because you’ve a lifetime available to share everything that is you, and in sharing, you teach, and in teaching, others have opportunities to grow, learn, expand… And we all benefit. You are precious!
Love and hugs,
~ Julie
Hi Julie
Oh yes I am sure they would, and…well…secretly I knew they would be there, but our meeting – that first real hug, among all the virtual ones we have had so far, will be something amazing I know! And than to be in the presence of your horses and take care of them with you and enjoy them, that is just all such a great bonus!
Thank you dear Julie that for expressing your thoughts so kindly, I take to heart the beautiful comments and feedback you have given me. Thank you for being a part of my life – I look so forward to our meeting one day soon!!!!
How fun, and I’m so honored and flattered to make the list. Come on down anytime!!
A blogging conference would be great (I just invited myself!). I’ve already had the opportunity to meet some of my blogging friends in person and this summer I’ll be participating in a triathlon with one of them. Fun stuff I never imagined would happen!
Hmmm…I have a cousin who lives in Buffalo, NY and trying to get me up there in May…I’ll let you know if that happens…maybe we can do yoga at Niagra Falls :-)
Hi Stacey
Woo hoo, that sounds great and I think we can all invite ourselves into this one :)
Well as I mentioned to you, we loved Boston when we visited it last fall and would love to come back, so when we do, I am signing up to one of your yoga classes for sure !!!
Evita — I feel very touched to be included in your special “bucket list.” You make me so thankful that I’ve found blogging and the many caring people, like you, in the blogosphere:~)
You’re such a loving spirit and you have given me so many gifts. I can’t tell how many times I’ve come to your sites and you said something that was JUST RIGHT for me at that time. It’s makes me really believe in synchronicity!
It’s stunning to me that we are able to make such powerful connections via our words online, even though most of us have never met each other.
It’s GOT to prove that there some special energy that flows around us, allowing us to find each other. I think it makes this world a pretty amazing place and I thank you for reminding me of this:~)
Hi Sara
Oh I have so enjoyed so many of your posts and photos through which I got to know you better. And dancing…how could I pass up a beautiful and fun moment like that, especially that you said you enjoy it so much too :)
So who knows, maybe one day we shall grab our partners and sway with the music….
And yes, I so agree about a special and beautiful energy flowing and connecting us all. The people I have befriended virtually like yourself are so amazing and it is such a pleasure to think of sharing some in person fun stuff with them that much more!
Great idea of link love! I might try it myself.
Hi Akemi
Oh yes, this was so much fun, and of course go ahead with any ideas you may have around it too :)
What a great list! I think my list would be amazingly silar to yours. There’s dome really great people here, and I’d love to meet them all (Well, except for that Jay character – you just can’t trust THAT guy) :) I would LOVE to hang out with you sometime! You’re such a wise and loving soul, I imagine that we’d have a wonderful conversation about anything and everything!
Thank you for being so wonderful, Evita. And thank you for including me on your list! I’m truly honored and humbled to know you!
Hi Jay
There really are some amazing and fun people that are out there and it is so awesome to know you are one of them!!!
And, oh yeah, I totally know about that Jay character, he is something else all together… something very special that is :)
Thank you so much for the beautiful feedback and also for being who you are too!
What a great idea for a bucket list Evita and I’m flattered that you’d like to cook butternut squash soup with me. I hope eating it is part of that plan, lol. You’re a sweetheart :-D
Hi Davina
Oh yes, eating is definitely part of the plan!
Well Davina I have to say, aside from the fact that I have always wanted to come out to B.C. – I thought of so many fun things that I would like to do with you.
Yes, watching crows did cross my mind – LOL :) But I thought I know you love good food and food is a certain passion of mine too, and I know me, you and Tess had a good chuckle before about making Butternut Squash soup, so in the end, I thought we could have some fun cooking it from scratch :)
Evita,
What a great Bucket List! It’s very inspiring that you have met so many amazing people through blogging in just two short years. The Internet adds so much value to life, because we can connect with lots of other like-minded people.
Hi Greg
Thanks Greg. It really has been amazing and I am so grateful for every single moment!!!
And yes, that is exactly too what I have found, that even when we do not have many around us who are like minded, the Internet has made the world a whole lot smaller and brought together so many people who share so many interests!
I look forward to getting to know you better too :)
[...] Ochel made a great fun bucket list of meeting blogger buddies. I agree, we bloggers spend so much time communicating with other [...]
Dearest Evita, I apologize for being late to your site. Work has been non-stop getting my book ready. But I read this and a couple of other post here the other day and just felt so moved. I always have this sense of you as a clear clean mountain stream. You are so innately wise. I’m a lot older than you and I often think how did she become so wise so young. Then I think, “No, that’s not what it is. She was born this way. This is who she is.” You often remind me of these kids I know who are so absolutely complete and wise at 3, 4, 5, 6, years old. Around them I often feel I am sitting in the presence of God. I am. That’s how I feel around you. And with it comes a deep feeling of peace.
I know I’ve told you this before, but your writing, about your own life insights is just amazing. It has that same clear, clean feel to it. I know that any book you write will be astounding. No matter what you write, just the energy of it will remind people of things they have forgotten.
I don’t think I can really tell you how much your presence in my life means. You reflect to me a part of me that is innocent, an innocence that has nothing to with age, a part of me that is trusting and good. I am glad that you have people in your life who see you. I often look back when I was young and I didn’t always have many who saw me. Although I was blessed to have years in the wild and was VERY seen there and am seen in my life today. But I want you to know that I see your beautiful essence. That photo of you with your face on the moss will always be Evita to me. That is the clear clean purity I see in you.
Also Thank you for your thoughtfulness and always including me. The day you posted this and I came here and read it brought tears to my eyes. I needed it. I’d had a very hard week. And when I saw what you had done I felt like crying because you are so so kind, such a beautifully gentle soul.
Know that you are seen, loved and so appreciated.
Robin
Hi Robin
Oh Robin, you always take such care and show such love in every single reply you give someone. I am always so touched and moved by your words – thank you dear friend!!!
And Robin, no need to apologize ever. I mean what you are doing in every single article you write, and comment you give is just so incredible and fills the collective consciousness with an expansion of love and compassion.
How do I always say enough thank you’s for all that you are and share. The comments, compliments and feedback you give me lift my heart and soul to a place of such awe and I am greatly humbled always Robin.
I look forward to the day, when we will walk together through a beautiful trail in New Mexico :)
Hi Evita,
Thank you SOOO much for including me and I am very much looking forward to us attending a spiritual conference together. We’ve talked about it a few times and I know it will happen! We just have to make sure we book other time to just spend together because I have a feeling we will talk each other’s ears off. ;-) I am so excited for you and all that is going on in your life. It has been such a joy to get to know you and I look forward to that time away with you! :-)
Love and hugs,
Jenny
Hi Jenny
I could not see this list without you! It has been so much fun, and such a great experience in getting to know you, sharing in your gifts and talents, and all the love you project onto the Universe.
And you are right – I know it will happen too – it is just a matter of all things lining up for that right time for each of us.
Thank you for being such a wonderful person and friend!
Hi Evita,
Thank you for alerting me about your bucket list. I was mostly offline in the past few days and managed to get online for a while some minutes ago. Oh gosh…I am so honored to be included. I have to also echo what others said: what a creative way of giving link love!
Allow me to share my favorite saying: There are no strangers in this world; just friends we’ve not met. Do let me know if you ever come to Singapore. I would love to connect with you, knowing that we have many similar interests. May we also share the same sunrise in Canada one day!
With love,
Evelyn
Hi Evelyn
Oh thank you for sharing that quote! How true!
And yes, whether in Canada, or Singapore or even somewhere else, the possibility of us meeting is very exciting and I will always hold that within my scope of attraction. You are such a wise soul and I love sharing in and learning from what you share with all of us.
What a truly beautiful and thoughtful post! I am honored to be included in your bucket list. You are one of the people I truly look up to in the blogging world because of your wisdom and integrity and I would love to spend time with you, either here in South Africa or anywhere in the world.
It’s true that I’ve been very busy lately and haven’t had a chance to blog, much less connect with the people who have come to mean so much to me in the blogging world, like yourself. Thank you for the note and the kind words about my collection of recipes. You are always a blessing to me!
Hi Hanlie
My heart is overflowing with so much love and appreciation. Your words are very dear to me, as I too feel a strong connection with you. There are people we meet online that we pass through their presence, and there are those whose presence stays with us, deep within and even friendships are developed. So today it is such a great thing to call you my friend.
Whatever life brings you today, just be sure to take good care of yourself – sending you blessings and warm thoughts always :)
I would absolutely love to sit around a campfire with you and Markus, talking about the grand mysteries of life where we can each discover new doors to exotic places that takes us into higher orbits to view and feel the awesomeness of a perspective that no one else has discovered before. We can certainly each be an explorer of the highest magnitude, sensing new lands and universes to discover while never truly being anywhere while always being here.
We will be walking your way and shall be in your neighborhood by this July. Hope to share the warmth of a fire under a starry sky with you sometime soon then.
Evita,
What a treat to find this post as I am catching up with the online world. This is such a beautiful idea. I love how you tap into the energy of each person, and what you would be drawn to share with them. It is amazing how we can connect so deeply with people that live all over the world, and how fascinating it would be to meet with each other in physical form.
I am honored to be part of your list, and love that you would like to wrap presents with me. One of the main reasons I adore wrapping presents so elaborately is because to me it not only represents the beauty that shines through in the wrapping, but also the concept that each moment is a gift wrapped in the beauty of experience. Just like long distance hiking, the joy is not in the destination, but in the journey itself. Presents are the same way for me, it is not about getting ‘stuff’, but items that enrich each persons life, bringing beauty in many forms!
Thank you for sharing the beauty that you find within each of the people you have connected with online, that in itself is a most beautiful gift!