From Small Towns to Big Cities: Childhood Dreams and the Evolution of Bucket Lists

My journey began in the small towns of Paxton, Illinois; Blytheville, Arkansas; and Mountain Home, Idaho. While living in these rural areas, we often tuned into television programs showcasing the glamorous and exciting life in big cities like New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago. It was fascinating to see how people lived in those bustling metropolises on-screen.

When I moved to Boise, Idaho, I was thrilled to finally live in a so-called ‘city’. However, reality soon set in, and I realized that the cities we saw on television were vastly different. Shows like Kojak, Charlie’s Angels, and the Regal Beagle were all set in faraway places, not in Boise.

As I grew older, I began to develop my own dreams and aspirations, often inspired by movies, novels, and public figures. At one point, my ambition was to write for the Civil Services and become an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer. But as I matured, my dreams changed, and I began to think about concrete life aspirations like owning my own home and having a personal library.

The First Items on My Bucket List

Teenage years are often filled with fear, dreams, and ambitions. I was particularly scared of my father, so my first item on the bucket list was to have my own home where no one could boss me around, and I could indulge in my favorite activities without any constraints.

I was a storybook enthusiast, and my mother was concerned that my love for reading might affect my studies. To secretly indulge my passion, I would borrow books from friends and read them during class breaks. I longed for a library filled with diverse hardbound books, the scent of which would comfort me. The idea of having my own book-filled library was a dream I could not shake off.

The last dream on my list was to establish a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children. Being fascinated by the idea of destiny, I admired how fortunate some people were and pitied those who faced adversities. My desire to make a difference in their lives led me to dream about running a NGO for children.

Lifetime Aspirations: The Bucket List Continues

While some of my childhood dreams stayed with me, others evolved as I grew older. Here are some lifelong aspirations that are still on my bucket list:

Visit Switzerland - as a big fan of Roger Federer, I would love to see the country where he made his mark. Although the intensity has decreased, I remain an ardent follower of his tennis career. Write a book - this remains a goal I strive for, believing that writing is my true passion. Get a tattoo - the thought of enduring pain for a beautiful piece of art has always intrigued me. Travel by air - I became a pilot early in my life, and flying has been a lifelong dream. Learn a new language - I have already learned Hindi, but my interest in Japanese for a potential job interview indicates that learning languages is a passion. Own a room full of books - a progressive dream that continues to inspire me. Possess a girly bicycle - by LadyBird - this dream was unfulfilled due to the inconvenience of cycling on my manual basket bicycle. Have a house with a badminton court - a dream that remains a testament to my love for the sport. Host a grand wedding ceremony - this is still on my wish list, even though I am not in the mood for it now.

Each of these dreams represents different phases of my life, ranging from my childhood to teenage years, and even adult aspirations. The joy of achieving these dreams and living out my bucket list remains one of the most fulfilling experiences in life.

Conclusion

As we grow older, our dreams and aspirations often change, but the process of dreaming and pursuing the items on our bucket list remains a vital part of our lives. These dreams serve as both motivation and inspiration, and they remind us of the experiences that truly matter.