#106 Bucket List

The 2007 film "The Bucket List" directed by Rob Reiner, featuring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, delves into profound themes that resonate with audiences worldwide. Edward Cole (Nicholson) and Carter Chambers (Freeman) are two terminally ill men who embark on a journey to complete their bucket list—a list of things they want to do before they die.

Cole is a poor mechanic who has lived one day at a time his whole life, but he has built a loving relationship with his family, which gives him strength throughout his cancer ordeal. Chambers is a millionaire who can have any desire met or any pleasure realized, but at the sacrifice of his family and estrangement of his daughter, the only person he really ever cared about.

Cole begins to write a bucket list, a list of things he wished he had done in his life but never had the time or money to accomplish. Chambers offers to add his wishes to that list, and offers to pay for the entire excursion. Together they travel the world, and partake in experiences that few of us will ever see in our own lives. What they come to learn, however, is that it is the experience of the small things in life that truly matters. The connections to people, the love and friendship in the people of our lives, and the unchallenged beauty of the world. Seen through the eyes of two dying men, they face the value of life and the importance of its experience.

For those who have never seen the film, and I strongly suggest you should, I won’t spoil the running joke throughout the film that is only revealed at the last moments.

I recently saw the movie again and it reminded me of Egyptian mythology. According to Egyptian mythology, after death, the soul would be questioned by Anubis, who would ask two crucial questions: Did you find joy in your life? Did you bring joy to others?

These questions were believed to determine the soul's fate in the afterlife. If the soul had led a life filled with joy and had brought joy to others, it would be granted passage to the Field of Reeds, a paradise where the soul would live in eternal happiness. If not, the soul risked being devoured by Ammit, the soul-eating demon.

Did you find joy in your life?

Did you bring joy to others?

Take note that the two questions did not include…

Did you make more money than your neighbor and collect more toys than he? Did you go to better schools and receive a more prestigious education? Did you drive a better car and have more lavish vacations?

Did you please everyone around you at any cost? Did you light yourself on fire to keep others warm? Did you never say “no” so you could earn others’ approval? Was your happiness based upon the approval of others?

Just like the movie, it comes down to simplicity. Did you make the most of what you had, and enjoy life to its fullest? Were you true to those around you and help those you could?

Enjoy who you are, where you are, who you are with, and what you are doing.

Don’t look for those moments that take your breath away but remember to breathe in every moment.

Weeg

Joe “Weeg” Weigant is a Board Certified Massage Therapist, Holistic Health Authority, Reiki Master Teacher, Herbalist, Metaphysician, and Empowerment Coach. He combines bodywork, energy work, and coaching to improve quality of life by healing from the outside in and from the inside out.

Weeg sells Nature’s Sunshine Products, Pure Herbs Ltd., doTERRA, and Juice Plus+. Weeg suggests lifestyle changes and provides herbal remedies to his clients so they may build new habits for long life and vibrant health. He teaches Karate and Tai Chi, Reiki Certification, as well as seminars and workshops in metaphysical and spiritual matters. Weeg is available for sessions at Tri State Holistic Wellness by appointment only.

Contact by text 812.568.5356, or Facebook Messenger to set an appointment.