From some of the opening lines - 'I believe you measure yourself by the people who measure themselves by you' - I knew that this film was going to draw me in.
Imagine being told you are going to die. 96% of people don't want to know the exact date and time of their death. But if you were terminally ill, would you want to know how much more time you have with family and friends? The lead characters, played by Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, are terminally ill with cancer and set about making the most of their last months by fulfilling life long dreams.
These dreams, that take them across the world, form their bucket list. On this bucket list are dreams such as: see something majestic; kiss the most beautiful girl in the world; give kindness to a stranger; and drive their dream car. Whilst the theory of such a bucket list is worthy and important to living one's best life, this bucket list required money. Fortunately, Nicholson's character was extremely wealthy and was able to take Freeman along for the journey. This part of the plot didn't sit well with me because the majority of people cannot afford such a list.
Certainly the most thought provoking part of the film for me was when the men were sitting watching the sun set over the pyramids in Egypt. Freeman, whose general knowledge of all matters was consistently shown throughout the film, points out to Nicholson that when the Egyptians entered the pyramids on their way to the after-life, they were asked two questions:
1. Have you found joy in your life?
2. Has your life brought joy to others?
It is impossible to be happy all the time. It is human nature to feel raw emotions - one of which is sadness. But if we can ask ourselves if we have found joy and given joy along the way, then we are living a life worth living. For me, one way of experiencing joy along the way is fulfilling my own 35 List, which is an interpretation of the bucket list. For now, I have completed number 29 on this list, and that has brought me great joy.
1. Have you found joy in your life?
2. Has your life brought joy to others?
It is impossible to be happy all the time. It is human nature to feel raw emotions - one of which is sadness. But if we can ask ourselves if we have found joy and given joy along the way, then we are living a life worth living. For me, one way of experiencing joy along the way is fulfilling my own 35 List, which is an interpretation of the bucket list. For now, I have completed number 29 on this list, and that has brought me great joy.
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