TAHLEQUAH — Humans are odd creatures.

At the end of each calendar year, many take stock in their lives and make resolutions, setting goals to “do better.” Resolutions are typically thrown out like rubbish before Valentine’s Day, and people end up feeling worse because they’ve failed, rather than “new and improved.”

Since the release of the 2007 film “The Bucket List,” some folks have found a different approach to introspection by making lists of things they’d like to achieve before they “kick the bucket,” or die.

Most people have a bucket list stewing in the backs of their minds, but never seriously consider their dreams as potential realities. Often it takes a serious illness or brush with death to evaluate what a person really deems important.

The Daily Press conducted an unscientific, online Facebook poll, asking people what three things they’d like to do or see before they die, or three people they’d like to meet.

Olga Trammel, NSU employee, never thought about the question until she got heart disease, but has given it consideration since then.

“I’d like to see my son become settled before I go; that means for him to finish his degree and find success,” said Trammel. “And I’ve always wanted to meet Garth Brooks. I think he’s a great humanitarian.”

Having goals in life is important, even if you believe them to be unattainable. The secret to a successful bucket list is adding simple wishes, like perfecting a skill, along with fantastic dreams, like traveling the world in a hot air balloon.

Local resident Ellie Peterson had almost given up on her childhood dream of traveling to the Amazon jungle, but recently discovered it’s possible.

“For years, this desire was a driving force in my life, but I never got around to it,” she said. “I felt as if my dream was dead, but I’ve rediscovered my old dream and find it doable.”

A bucket list embraces a person’s passions, and can also be educational. Peterson said she’d also like to learn fresco painting.

“In fact, I bought a video of a Diego Rivera mural workshop and have been nagging my husband, Martin, to dig a lime pit on our land. Apparently, only lime that is at least two years old is worth anything.”

When it comes to the people she’d like to meet, Peterson said the decision is difficult.

“It’s hard to say, these days, but I think I would like to meet former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton in the same company. That would rock.”

Area resident Kimberlee Thomas feels she’s always been a musician at heart, even though she chose a different path professionally. In her response, Thomas said no one had ever really asked her what her dreams were before, and she found the exercise refreshing.

“I do know one thing I always dreamed of was playing with orchestral accompaniment, and preferably outside,” said Thomas.

“Singing comes to mind, and with people who inspire and accept me, love me. Why? Because I am musical and always have been, and my favorite times have been while performing with others. Due to circumstances, I chose a different career. I love it, as well, but I am a musician at heart, and music is so big in my life, as well as art.”

Other items on Thomas’ bucket list include reviving her father’s antique business and taking it global, along with publishing a book.

While the thought of making a bucket list could seem daunting, it’s best to be specific to realize success. To start the list, begin by writing down those ideas that have been stewing in your mind. Keep a notebook and pen handy for spiritual epiphanies.

Once you get started, organize your dreams by attainability.

For instance, former Tahlequah student Nick Winkle has one simple wish and can build on his bucket list from there. Once one goal is reached it’s often easier to find ways to attain the more difficult items.

“I would like to go hunting,” said Winkle. “Just because I never have [been hunting].”

Patti Gulager is a history buff, and has incorporated that interest into her list.

“I would like to visit the war memorials in Europe, Normandy, France and Germany, all of the World War II stuff in Europe,” she said. “I have studied so much about it. I would also like to meet Warren Buffett or Bill Gates, and discuss their humanitarian efforts in the world.”

While meeting famous people may prove more difficult, particularly post-mortem, it’s always good to dream.

Linda Lowe Upton, a former Tahlequah resident who now lives in Tulsa, has some fairly lofty goals when it comes to meeting people.

“I’d like to meet Charles Darwin, to discuss where we, as a society, went wrong in not allowing his theory to advance; Shakespeare, to find out if he spoke in iambic pentameter, as well; and Jesus, to ask if he ever felt he was misquoted and or if his words or works were ever misinterpreted or misconstrued,” she said.

Having a sit-down with Jesus Christ was on the lists of other people, too. Lisa Smith-Landburg, a former Fort Gibson resident, said worshiping him “in all his glory” is on her to-do list, but she has some other hopes for while she’s still among the living.

“[I’d like to go] to Australia and sit in a pub and just listen to the accents,” she said. “Then I want to meet the family of the 29-year-old man who died and allowed my brother-in-law to receive a new heart. Words could never describe how thankful our family is.”

To-do lists involving family – both alive and dead – were also popular responses.

Kenny Boling, of Fort Gibson, has a simple enough item on his bucket list: to visit Eastern Kentucky.

“I know for sure my great-grandfather was born there,” said Boling, who added he feels drawn to that area somehow. “They actually have a yearly country music festival in that area.”

E.B. Hymann has a similar goal.

“There are some people in my past who meant a lot to me, and I’d like to find time to reconnect, and tell them that,” she said.

Making and attaining goals is important, and Thomas, who is involved in therapy, said she plans to put the practice to good use.

“I am going to use this tool in therapy to help others,” she said.

Making a bucket list

If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas for your bucket list, try these websites:

• www.your100things. com

•www.Reaperlist.com

• www.43things.com