Almost Half Way Through My 2013 Bucket List

Exploring Fiji, piloting a helicopter, airplane, glider, jet pack, and biplane, swimming with beluga whales and whale sharks, planning bucket list adventures for others, reaching 10 million blog views, and delivering a beautiful baby sound like a lifetime of accomplishments  but they were just part of my 2012 Bucket List. The more unrealistic I am with my dreams and goals, the more I am able to achieve so I’ve created another list for 2013 with equally beautiful dreams and I’m almost half way there.  Some people create a bucket list because they are dying; I created one because I want to live. Do you have a 2013 bucket list? I’d love to hear your dreams and goals for the rest of 2013!

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One Hundred Thousand Thank Yous

Did my heart sink when I saw the photos of My Destination’s Top Ten in the MyBBB contest and I was not there? Yes. Did I honestly think that I would make the top ten? Again, to be completely honest, yes. I wanted it. I envisioned it happening. I imagined traveling around the world with Athena, and my friend as Athena’s nanny, at my side. I believed it was possible; after all, my philosophy is the more unrealistic I am with my dreams and goals the more I’m able to achieve. 

22 Things Happy People Do Differently

This article is from Chiara Fucarino. Enjoy!

There are two types of people in the world: those who choose to be happy, and those who choose to be unhappy. Contrary to popular belief, happiness doesn’t come from fame, fortune, other people, or material possessions. Rather, it comes from within. The richest person in the world could be miserable while a homeless person could be right outside, smiling and content with their life. Happy people are happy because they make themselves happy. They maintain a positive outlook on life and remain at peace with themselves.

The question is: how do they do that?

It’s quite simple. Happy people have good habits that enhance their lives. They do things differently. Ask any happy person, and they will tell you that they …

Wander Lust – Why We Love to Travel

Guest Writer: Mike Bond

I love Mike’s philosophy on travel, life, and adventure. His new book, Saving Paradise, has reminded me why Hawaii is still at the top of my bucket list. Below, he explains his wanderlust and why he wrote Saving Paradise. His passion is reflective of my own and I’ve found a new friend in travel writing. 

Happy Birthday Dear Athena

Today was my daughter’s first birthday. We didn’t plan a huge party with tons of guests or
go out to a fancy restaurant or some play place. Instead, we spend most of the day at home playing in the loft, going for walks, chatting on skype with family, and enjoying dinner together. The happiness exuded from Athena and therefore us as well. We may not have spent the day skydiving or rafting down class five rapids, but my adrenaline is still pumping from my bucket list day… or maybe it’s from all the cake

Thanks for Clicking 26,444 Times

I entered the blogging community less than two years ago. I, like most, didn’t have a following or supporters. At times, I felt like no one was reading what I wrote and I was discouraged, but I had never given up on anything in my life and I wasn’t about to start. Now, a year and a half later, I have over 50,000 followers and more than 15,000,0000 views. That isn’t what I’m most proud of though, although that’s a big one. I’m most proud of the community that I’ve created. Most of my posts see a minimum of 400 likes, 50 comments, and 20 social shares. And I am proud! Encouraged! Blessed! So to everyone that has interacted with me daily and to those that are just getting started, I want to thank you!

When I entered the Biggest, Baddest Bucket List contest with My Destination, I just thought it would be fun to create the video (it totally was by the way). Then, when the votes started coming in by the dozens, I realized just how many people I interact with on a daily basis, most of them I now know by their first name and speak to about all aspects of their life. I may not have come in first place during the voting round, I think I might be in 6th or 7th, but I gained so much more than I ever imagined possible. Your positive words, continuous encouragement and support have been contagious. I find myself wanting to help others more and encouragement them more in return. It is a beautiful cycle. So… once again, thank you and I hope you continue to follow along for years to come.

Last Few Hours to Vote!

There are only a few hours left to vote for my entry in the Biggest, Baddest Bucket List contest for a chance to win a trip around the world and $50,000! It would not only change my entire outlook on the world, but it would also be a huge advance in my blogging career. Travel is as much a part of my life as family and friends. I’m currently in 4th place with several great entries gaining on me and only a few hours left to vote. The top five entries with the most votes go on to the next round in London, England to meet the judges. I’m still confident that I can make it… with your help. What will I win? A trip around the world and $50,000 cash!

Stop, click, vote, and send me around the world. I’ll take you with me through posts, photos, videos, and more!

Just click here!

Happy clicking!

“The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences.”

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Why Should I Have the World?

I recently published a posted called Independently Wealthy, Right? that reflected on how I got to where I am today and why I think I should win the Biggest Baddest Bucket List contest with My Destination.  With several hundred comments and personal emails, I thought a similar post would be the best way to wrap up my entry in the contest and encourage voting one last time. I’m currently in 3rd place with several great entries gaining on me and only two days left to vote. The top five entries with the most votes go on to the next round in London, England to meet the judges. I’m still confident that I can make it… with your help. What will I win? A trip around the world and $50,000 cash!

Where Are You From? With Just One Little Click… The World!

Do we have the world covered with your vote? I’ve been thinking about the support that I’ve received in the Biggest, Baddest Bucket List contest and which countries are represented in the 23,424 votes. This is for a trip around the world and $50,000. Your support has been overwhelming and I feel even more capable of accomplishing the impossible. We all can! With only three days left to vote, every second counts… as a matter of fact… STOP. Click here and vote on Facebook with the click of one button or click here to vote on other forms of social media. It couldn’t be any easier! I’d like to know where the voters live, though. Are you from UK? Canada? USA? Do I have votes from Australia? It would be amazing to see represents from around the world. So… after you vote, or vote again, share a comment below with the name of your country. Lets see if I have 10 countries today!

If you’ve already voted, thank you! I appreciate your continued support. It will only take two seconds to vote again and you will be making all of my bucket list dreams come true! With just one little click… the world!

“The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences.”

- Eleanor Roosevelt

3 Days Left – I’m Going On A Trip Around the World!

Voting is intense for the Biggest, Baddest Bucket List contest but I’m still in the top 5 with only 3 days left to vote. Rather than making you go to the site, you can vote on Facebook right here: Just click the link! And vote away. It couldn’t be any easier. What you will be doing – helping me win a trip around the world and $50,000.

If you’ve already voted, thank you! I appreciate your continued support. It will only take two seconds to vote again and you will be making all of my bucket list dreams come true! With just one little click… the world!

“The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences.”

- Eleanor Roosevelt