I’m super excited about this week’s edition of “Living Your Dreams” {previously Living YOUR Happy Ever After} because I’m getting to profile a person who epitomizes what I think of when I think of people who dream big and set out to live those dreams. I first “met” Lesley Carter through blogging. I noticed that from time to time, another blogger would appear and punch the like button on my adventure posts, so I went to check out her blog. I was amazed, and still am, by everything she’s been able to accomplish. Read on, friends, and you’ll discover why.
meet lesley
“Some people create bucket lists because they’re dying. I created mine because I want to live.”
Let’s play a word association game for a minute. If I say words like: three college degrees, advanced English, literacy, and teaching, what kind of person and career do you attach those images to? How about a woman who incorporated “rock climbing and a trapeze act” into her Jamaica wedding, has tried literally every bucket-list item you can think of {rock climbing, biplane flying, dog sledding, caving, base jumping – you name it!}, and has made herself a publication business that caters to those of us out there inspired by stories of great adventure?
You’re thinking what I’m thinking, I bet. That scene in the last Indiana Jones where he says he teaches “part time.”
This wife and mom has been to 34 countries with adventures in each one, blogs about them here, and is a writer and editor for her own online magazine, Bucket List Publications, that she runs with the help of husband Darren. She also somehow finds time to interact with the community for both publications, and she’s one of the most encouraging people for new bloggers that I’ve ever met. And creating a life and job around a passion and a calling is nothing less than impressive.
image: lesleycarter.wordpress.com
Lesley’s loving life, but one thing I’ve learned is that goal setters are always setting new goals as fast as they knock down the old ones – she wants to keep traveling, exploring the world, interacting with people, and showing her daughter “that we don’t have to live in a world with restrictions.” She’s hoping to add winner of the Biggest Baddest Bucket List contest to her list of goals knocked out, and while she’s got a loyal and supportive fan base, she can always use more! Check out her video, and you’ll see how Lesley turns travel into an adventure, an education, and a full-on immersion into culture:
How does she manage all of this? Her philosophy on life and adventure is simple but powerful: “The more unrealistic I am with my dreams and goals, the more I am able to achieve.” There’s no point in dreaming about small goals; dream big, and then make smaller goals on the way to those big dreams. But given Lesley’s success so far, I don’t know that her dreams are unrealistic at all!
I wish her all the best, and can’t wait to read about her latest adventures! {and seriously, Lesley, if you get that ultimate bucket list adventure and you want to take along a combat-tested adventurous photographer-slash-personal-chef, I’m your gal!}.
You can follow Lesley’s adventures at her wonderful blog, Bucket List Productions, her Facebook page, and on Twitter – and don’t forget to vote for her to win the ultimate bucket list:
