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Create a Bucket List of Good Deeds

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The Domino Effect of One Good Deed

Unleash the power of the domino effect in your life. Perform one good deed each day. Let your deeds go viral. You may be surprised at the results.

Today people often refer to "good deeds" as random acts of kindness. They consist of small gestures, a single act, a sudden urge to help someone without any expectation of gain. It's an altruistic moment that often results in unexpected pleasure.

Often good deeds and random acts of kindness are unplanned. They happen in the moment. But what if you made a more conscious effort to do good deeds? What if you made a bucket list of good deeds? An on-going list of all the good deeds that you would like to perform before you die? Sound a bit extreme? Maybe. But how much more would your life become if you made a decision to do at least one good deed a day for the rest of your life?
The Power of One Good Deed Equals the Power Expressed by the First Domino.
1 domino + 1 day = 4 million reactions
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Good Deeds Bring Good Fortune

good deeds bring good fortuneEven a Babylonian king, thousands of years ago, recognized the value of good deeds when he had the results of his own good deeds memorialized on the inscribed stone shown here. As a consequence of his personal good deeds, the gods ended a period of drought.

Is there a drought in your life? Are you stuck? Feeling low? Wondering whether you should even get up in the morning? The power of a simple good deed, one random act of kindness, can power the creation of a bucket list of good deeds. You don't know what kind of deed you'd want to include? Well, let's crank up the brainstorming mode and see how many good deeds we can think of between us and see if any have a place in your bucket.

Babel Stone [ [Public Domain}CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

Create a Bucket List of Good Deeds Earns a Squidoo Purple Star

Good deeds and bucket lists make for a good lens

Squidoo purple star lens, Squidoo lenses, Bucket ListI'm thrilled to announce that the folks at Squidoo have seen fit to award this lens on creating a bucket list of good deeds one of their prized Purple Stars.

"Purple Stars are fairy dust. They're magic. They're surprises. You'll never know when or where they'll arrive...." (Megan Casey, Squidoo Editor in Chief )

That is so true. I had no idea. Imagine my surprise when I saw this list lens listed under the Purple Star label in my account. I'm happy to learn that others are finding value in this idea. Continue reading for more ideas and ways to make a great bucket list of good deeds.

Bucket List Mania Began with The Bucket List Movie

What do you want to do before you die?

Bucket List Ideas and Bucket List MovieThe Bucket List [Blu-ray]
Wondering where all this talk of bucket lists comes from? Blame it on the movie. Since the release of The Bucket List, people have been making all kinds of bucket lists. Most of them are self-centered in nature because of the nature of a bucket list. You're supposed to list all the things you want to do before you die and then go about making them hapen.

But not today. Today we're going to think about all the small and large ways you can make a difference.

What's Your Bucket List Experience?

Have you made a bucket list of anything yet?

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Sure have. (Let us know what type)

Steve_Kaye says:

I want to accomplish many things, all related to making the world a better, happier place. And I have many lists.

goo2eyes says:

i want to tour the world in 80 days like phileas fogg.

Realtor_Vickie says:

Yes and I've already begun crossing items off the list!

squidshe says:

No, but I plan to.

daria369 says:

I made a few - on different topics - and keep coming up with new ideas. It feels good to be excited!

Nah, I haven't given it much thought. (Why not?)

elynmac says:

I have never made a bucket list. (Bucket? I don't live in the US, so this is a new idea.) I think I said I had dreams, but no bucket list - But a list is a good idea! It's good to think broad and long. I am voting no because I haven't heard about it, but not because I think it is a bad idea. Good idea - and a nice way to collect dreams.

aesta1 says:

Not yet...I just am not a list maker.

WordCustard says:

No, but I think I should... writing things down gives you a focus, and it's easier to make things happen when you can focus on what you want to achieve.

bygproductions says:

But I like this twist to the concept!

littlelotus says:

not yet and not sure if I want to :)... maybe someday...... :)

 
view all 13 comments

Making a Bucket List - The Basics

It's your bucket list, be creative

Bucket lists can be as easy or as complicated as you want them.
  • 1The easiest way is to simply start creating a list on a piece of paper. You can use a yellow legal pad, a page from a notebook, or the blank page of printer paper.
  • 2Most people are able to list the first 10-20 ideas before they get stuck. Don't let that little lapse worry you. Just stay with it. All of a sudden your brain will get the idea that you are serious and cough up some more ideas.
  • 3A lot of people like to have a end game in sight so they assign a number to their list. Creativity and journal writing instructors often like to use the 100 List exercise. You'll go through a series of waves when the ideas will come. Just stay with it. About the time you're ready to give up the ideas will begin bubbling up to the surface once again.
  • 4Many people like to transfer their list into a more formal journal and put one item on one page. That way when they accomplish the item, they can write a few notes about the experience.
  • 5Others are happy to stay with the simple list and just cross of the item when finished.
  • 6Don't wait to start your list. Begin now. Action begets action.
Capturing Bucket List Ideas

Filling the Bucket 

Ideas for Bucket Lists of Good Deeds

A list of potential good deed ideas to get your started

Look to your immediate circle of friends and neighbors See what you can do for them and then expand outward to your fellow employees, people you meet casually, etc.
  • 1Who needs a ride to the store? Maybe a neighbor's car is down or they don't have a car.
  • 2Who needs something from a store? Maybe they're a shut-in, disabled or elderly and find going to the store difficult.
  • 3Who can you help on trash day? Next time it's time to put the trash out, see if you can give an elderly person a hand or maybe take their trash cans to the curb and back again. Or next time the trash cans are rolling around in the street, pick them up and at least get them back onto the driveway.
  • 4Who's responsible for keeping the drainage on your street clear of leaves and other items that may slow the drainage down and cause minor flooding? Why not clear the drains the next time there's a problem?
  • 5Who could use a check-in phone call now and then? Maybe an elderly family member who isn't able to get around anymore? Give them a call.
  • 6Who could use a little help around the house? Maybe an older relative or friend who isn't able to change out the light bulbs or other small chores that they once could do? Arrange to take an hour or so and be willing to do a few things for them.
  • 7Who just had surgery and may need a friend or relative to check on them and see if anything is needed? Take a moment and give them a call. See what they need. Offer to help.
  • 8Who do you know who might need a sitter for an hour or two? Offer to stay with the kids.
  • 9Who is a caregiver for an elderly relative that you know? Why not give them a call and offer to sit for them so they can get away for a few hours.
  • 10Who do you know who has been sick or hospitalized? Take a moment and send them a card with a handwritten note.
  • 11Who do you know who volunteers for an organization you're a part of? Why not send them a note and thank them for the work they've been doing?
  • 12Who has done something for you recently? Take a moment and send them a handwritten thank-you note with a few words about how much you appreciate them.
  • 13Who haven't you spoken to or seen in a long time because you've been too busy? Send them a card telling them how much you miss them and how much you enjoyed spending time with them in the past.
  • 14Who needs a friend? Offer to have coffee or go to lunch and simply listen.

Your Turn - What Would You Do?

Add your ideas to the list of things to do

What would would you add to the bucket list? You can also rank the ideas in order of importance. Let's see what the readers think is the number one idea for the Good Deeds Bucket List.

1

Vote Up
Vote Down

Send a thank you note to a friend for a recent kindness.

1 point

2

Vote Up
Vote Down

Treat someone to lunch on no occasion.

1 point

3

Vote Up
Vote Down

Visit a nursing home!

When I go to nursing homes or retirement homes...I more...0 points

4

Vote Up
Vote Down

0 points

You've got a bucket of ideas. Now what? 

What Can You Do Today?

Here's a list of things you can do today

Are you full of ideas and things to do to add to your own bucket list of Good Deeds? It's time to get serious and take action. What is one thing that you can do today? Experts say it's helpful to write it down and proclaim your intention to others. So here's your opportunity right now to tell us what one good deed you'd like to do today to start your domino effect.

1

Vote Up
Vote Down

Feel thankful and smile, right now

1 point

2

Vote Up
Vote Down

Send a birthday card to a friend and add a note.

0 points

3

Vote Up
Vote Down

Make a choice if I want to feel happy or miserable in this moment

0 points

Name Your Bucket - What Other Type of Bucket List Do You Want to Make?

More ideas for bucket lists

I'm looking for bucket list ideas. What kind of bucket list would you create? Do you want to do a general 100 Things To Do Before I Die list? Or maybe you'd rather do the Top 50 Places I Want to Visit Before I Die list. Name your passion. Then rank the types of lists so we can see which one comes out first.

1

Vote Up
Vote Down

Something to do with my dogs

0 points

Crazy Bucket Lists - Good Ideas?

It's a To Do list before you die

Tell me what you really think. Do you think these lists are worth the time it takes to create them? Are you going to create your own version of the Bucket List for Doing Good Deeds?

Do you think bucket lists are worthwhile?

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Yes. Any time you write down your goals, it's a good thing.

elynmac says:

Yes - a great idea. I have some friends who don't like lists because if they don't achieve it they might feel like they have failed. For me, it is good to hold these things lightly, and watch for new doors opening. There are some things that come as delightful surprises in life, and if we limit ourselves to what is on the list, we might miss a lot. Compassion can be a way of living that sees the opportunities everywhere, and then maybe you don't need a list so much. But there is nothing wrong with a list. Good encouragement!

Steve_Kaye says:

I write an annual report on my life each year. It includes a progress report plus a description of what I want to accomplish during the coming year. Then each week, I write a mini version of this in which I analyze my progress and set short term goals.

goo2eyes says:

yes, it makes you work for your ideals.

WordCustard says:

I think it's a good idea if it makes you consider what really matters to you.

daria369 says:

I do, but really - no written list is necessary if I keep in mind to make choices that make me feel better - most of the time.

No. Just more mental play than anything.

 

500 Things To Do Before You Kick the Bucket

More ideas for bucket lists

Things to do before you kick the bucket500 Things to Do Before You Kick the Bucket
Need help getting ideas for your bucket list? What do you want to do? Here's a guidebook that offers hundreds of things to include in your bucket. For the author it's all about "living large." His suggestions run the gamut from climbing a tree to adopting a pet from a shelter. It might be interesting to see how many of these 500 suggestions you've already completed. You may have an entirely new way of looking at your bucket list after reading this book.

More Ideas for Bucket Lists

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Bucket List Ideas for the Photographer

Photographs I must take before I die

Bucket list ideas for photographersDavid Busch's Digital Photography Bucket List: 100 Great Digital Photos You Must Take Before You Die
If you enjoy taking pictures--and who in this day and age doesn't?--here's an interesting twist on the bucket list things to do idea. There are many types of photographs that we can take but most of us tend to take photos as we go through life and don't give much thought to it. But, you don't have to. If you like photography, you can expand your opportunities and make a point to explore different ways to take photographs.

If you're looking for ideas and would like to get a photographer's perspective on what they were doing and thinking when they captured a particular image, then this is the book for you. Not only is it a how-to but it answers why.

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  • All photographs in this article are in the public domain and were obtained through Wikimedia Commons.

    • Steve_Kaye Apr 19, 2012 @ 1:08 am | delete
      Kindness is the best investment you can make in your personal happiness.
    • JJNW Mar 8, 2012 @ 2:22 am | delete
      I featured this lovely lens on my new lens Distractions to Help Get Through Difficult Times http://www.squidoo.com/distractions-to-help-get-through-difficult-times
      and ***Blessed by a SquidAngel***
    • whats4dinner Dec 29, 2011 @ 8:03 pm | delete
      cool lens! Really good idea to create a bucket list. Lest we forget, time waits on no man.
    • goo2eyes Dec 6, 2011 @ 6:14 am | delete
      jack nicholson was drinking the coffee which i have featured in my coffee lens. this coffee is in his bucket list.
    • KathyMcGraw Nov 28, 2011 @ 8:58 pm | delete
      Pretty good idea to do a bucket list of good deeds. I'd never heard this twist before, but I like it. I also really like the bucket list of photos to take, that one really got my blood pumping :) *Blessed*
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