Getting a PHD, becoming your own boss and writing a book are examples of long term goals, and whether it is a career, financial or even a personal growth objective, achieving one won’t be easy. It’s not like some of the short goals on your bucket list—you will be pushed to your limits. You will have to make sacrifices. You will need to be uncomfortable. We all have to overcome something in order for a dream to become a reality, whether it be anxiety or fear or a financial situation or time restrictions or guilt.
So, how do you do it and how did I do it with all of my larger goals? Keep reading…
Long Term Goal Definition
What is the definition of a long term goal? It is simply an objective that you want to accomplish in the future, but one that will require a significant amount of time and planning. It will most likely take years, not months, to achieve and in many cases reaching the long term goal will also take several smaller steps during the process.
40 Long Term Goal Examples
Become a Leader in your Field
Be Your Own Boss
Find a Career You Love
Get a Degree
Buy a House
Save Enough to Retire
Finding a Life Partner
Fund Your Children’s Education
Become a Millionaire
Learn a Foreign Language
Be a Better Parent
Generate Passive Sources of Income
Invest in Real Estate
Become Debt Free
Declutter You Life
Go on Your Ultimate Vacation
Increase Your Level of Fitness
Live Abroad
Learn a New Skill or Trade
Become a Mentor
Research Your Family Tree
Reach and Maintain Your Ideal Body Weight
Learn to Cook Like a Chef
Turn Your Passion Into a Career
Write a Book
Learn How to Sing
Give a TedTalk
Create an Online Course
Start a Club
Create a Podcast
Start a Blog
Master a Video Game
Be Able to Type Without Looking
Have a Credit Score over 800
Invent Something
Compete in a Fitness Competition
Watch all the Oscar Winning Movies
Conquer a Fear
Learn a New Software Program
Get Straight A’s
Technique to Achieve Your Long Term Goal
You may be asking how do you achieve something that seems nearly impossible? The answer is—one little step at a time. You take one step every day towards your fears. You take one step every day towards your goals. You take one step every day towards living your passion.
I want to share a little technique that I used to expand my comfort zone enough to allow me to travel around the world solo checking incredible things off my bucket list and to turn my passion into a career. It is a technique that I continue to use every single day.
Pick One Goal
Focusing on too many long term goals at one time can be distracting and lead to not achieving any of them, so start by picking one goal to work on. Once you have selected your objective, write it down and put it somewhere where you will see it every day! You know what they say, “out of sight, out of mind”, and you don’t want this to be the case with your dream!
Create a List of Milestones
Once you’ve selected your long term goal it’s now time to make a plan to achieve it. The first thing to do is to break the goal down into a few major milestones. These milestones should take a shorter amount of time than the long term goal, but will still require a lot of effort.
Let’s use writing a book as an example. If you believe this objective will take two years, then each milestone should be able to be completed in a month or two—just enough time for you to have to push yourself, but also not get discouraged.
Your milestones should look something like this:
Goal: Writing a Book
Milestone #1: Prepare Your Writing Space
Milestone #2: Create an Outline
Milestone #3: Research Your Topic
Milestone #4: First Draft of Chapter 1
Etc…
Create Daily Steps
After your milestones are all set, then each one needs to be broken down into daily steps. The daily steps are a bunch of actionable short term goals. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be some gigantic leap that takes up hours of your time each day; it can be a tiptoe that takes less than 10 minutes. Everybody can find ten minutes a day to take one step in the direction of their dreams, and if you don’t, it’s because it is not a priority to you. We will make time for what we think is important in our lives and our dreams have to be important!
Continuing with the Writing a Book example, here are what some of the daily steps may be:
Milestone: Prepare Your Writing Space
Daily Step #1: Pick a location in the house for your writing space
Daily Step #1: Clear the space of unnecessary items
Daily Step #1: Make a list of items needed for the space
Daily Step #1: Research the best task lamps
Etc…
Put each daily step either on your calendar or on your daily todo list. Try not to miss a day, so you can get yourself into a routine. But, if you do, double up on the steps the next day.
This technique may seem time consuming, but it is a system that will keep you on track. Besides, it doesn’t matter the speed as long as you’re moving forward, because the time is going to pass anyway, you can either spend it stepping towards the life you want or spend it standing still in the life you don’t. It’s your choice.
. . .
For me, this technique for slowly pushing the boundaries of my comfort zone and taking one step forward every day is what led me to creating a career out of my passion for bucket lists. With this system I started living my list and created this blog, Bucket List Journey, whose mission is to give every person in the world the tools and inspiration to live their bucket list. For the first couple of years it only had about 10 visitors per month, but I was still super proud—I mean it was a whole 10 people! Even with few visitors I continued with my milestones and daily steps, because I knew that just by putting one foot in front of the other was leading me towards achieving a goal. And today, over 10 years later, this little blog has turned ten visitors per month into over half of a million.
A bucket list goal doesn’t always have to be adventurous, expensive and time consuming—sometimes it can be simple and cheap (or completely free!), like reading a classic book or giving blood. Some of them can be achieved in a day, and some in less than an hour. Don’t worry, easy and quick doesn’t mean boring, these budget goals can be just as fun as a larger ones, just more easily achievable.
1. ✦ Take a New Route to Work
How many of you have taken the same route to work everyday? You probably have the same seven stoplights timed perfectly and you pass that same powder-blue house with cream trim that desperately needs a paint touch-up. If this is you, then you definitely need to break out of your monotony of your day-to-day life and the simple bucket list idea of taking a new route to work could be one of the easiest & cheapest ways to do it!
2. ✧ Kiss in the Rain
You’ve definitely seen this done in the movies, where the two main characters get caught in the rain and end up having the most romantic smooch ever. You can replicate this epic moment—the only thing missing was the background music.
3. ✦ Make a Gratitude Journal
Over the years there have been many studies on the positive effects of having an attitude of gratitude. Robert Emmons is a leading scientific expert on gratitude and its affect on people physically, psychologically, and socially. His studies suggest that people who practiced gratitude had higher levels of positive emotions, a stronger immune system, felt less lonely, and had more happiness. Do you need more reasons that that?
Start each morning by listing five things you are grateful for. In the beginning it will probably be a struggle to come up with a mere five, being wrapped up in a world full of fear can disguise the good in your life. Think hard. Did you just drink a deliciously warm cup of coffee? Or did you connect with a friend by text? Or enjoy a heartwarming movie on television? There is always something to be grateful for—always.
Both Blogger.com and WordPress.com offer free blogs with easy setup, all you have to do is come up with something creative to talk about. Some of the most popular blog topics are Money, Travel, Food, Mommyhood, Technology and Celebrity Gossip. Put a new spin on any of these things and start writing!
Did you know that you can name a star after someone? You can buy one, name it, and you’ll get a certificate of it afterwards. It could be a simple and unique birthday gift or idea for you Valentine’s bucket list!
6. ✦ Attempt Meditation
Meditation is much more than sitting in a lotus position chanting “om” over and over again—it is a way of life. Clearing your mind through meditation has many benefits, like lowering blood pressure and anxiety levels. With all the stress in the world, it’s important to keep your mental health in check, and meditation can help you with that. Plus, it can give you a brighter outlook on life! Having an “empty mind” for even a few seconds can seem like a challenge, but this 10-minute guided meditation will help you along the way.
7. ✦ Create Your Own Cocktail
Become your own mixologist by concocting the perfect cocktail. The best part about this bucket list goal is that you will have to do a lot of sampling before coming up with your own perfect harmony of flavors. Practice makes perfect! If you’re not the best at creating drinkable concoctions, you can check these 10 tips on how to make a great cocktail.
After many trials and errors, my signature cocktail creation was a Lemon-Basil Fizz made with prosecco, coconut rum, raspberries, basil and lemon sorbet (see the video below and get the recipe here).
8. ✦ Make an Origami Animal
Origami is a big part of the Japanese culture and it truly is fascinating how little tiny pieces of paper can be crafted into beautiful pieces of artwork. The crane is one of the most popular shapes and you can fairly easily learn how to make one today. There are countless videos and instructions online and below are two that worked for me.
Have you ever wanted to officiate a wedding ceremony? Then think about becoming an ordained minister — it’s easier than you think. Simply Google “get ordained” and a slew of websites will come up that offer free ordination. On my last birthday, I got ordained with the American Marriage Ministries. It was super simple, free, and only took mere minutes. Get started now with this article on How to Get Ordained Online: 5 Easy Steps to Ordination
Be aware that each state has different laws on who can marry someone, check with Marriage Laws to find the rules in your state.
10. ✦ Learn the Alphabet in Sign Language
Sign language was designed as a way for the deaf to communicate and just by learning the alphabet you will be able to at least sign a few words. Here are 9 apps that can help you learn.
11. ✦ Watch the Sunrise & Sunset in One Day
There’s something peaceful about being up at the crack of dawn when light first appears in the sky. On that same day, pick the perfect spot to watch as the sun disappears below the horizon. It’s a completely free bucket list goal! Of course there’s stunning sunsets around the world, there is no need to travel far, you can take advantage of what’s in your own backyard!
I know all the ladies reading this can relate to me when I say that it can be really hard to find the right bra that fits you perfectly. A too loose or too tight bra is a recipe for disaster! So, it’s smart to every once in a while get yourself fitted to know your exact measurements. Most major department stores offer this service for free.
13. ✦ Hike a New Trail
There’s something very therapeutic about being outdoors and getting some exercise at the same time. Search for a local park and pick a trail that you have never hiked before, then pack a nice picnic and put on your hiking shoes.
Whether there’s a special occasion or an ordinary day, this gesture is a simple and cheap way of making your partner fall in love with you all over again. Add in some candlelight and a bottle of bubbles and you’re in for a romantic evening.
I’ve always been fond of baking cakes and cookies, but for a different experience try baking a loaf of bread. The process is slightly different, but eating a bread you made from scratch is a huge achievement. Not only was it fresh but it was very tasty too.
Don’t know which bread to make? Try one of the 33 best bread recipes from Bon Appetit.
16. ✦ Ride a Mechanical Bull
There’s no doubt that the mechanical bull became popular after the 80’s film “Urban Cowboy” where Debra Winger showed the bar crowd a super sexy ride. Hit your local country bar and see how long you can hang on!
17. ✧ Sing Karaoke
This is one cheap way to have a good time with your family and friends. Although I have to admit that I need to take a few drinks of liquid courage (a.k.a alcohol) first before taking to the microphone!
18. ✦ Go to Dinner Alone
Dining solo is a big fear amongst many. Face this fear today by planning a date with yourself. It’d make for a perfect solo evening if you find a delicious new restaurant, where you try a new food and then head over to the theater for an evening seeing the hottest release.
Don’t worry too much about being alone, because when it comes down to it most people really aren’t paying as much attention to you as you think. They are wrapped up in their own lives!
If it going out solo worries you, these two articles may help:
19. ✦ Complete a 1000+ Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
This is one of those fun things to do at home that most of us haven’t done this since we were children! You don’t find too many opportunities where you can concentrate on one thing, so be present and let everything else in your mind go. That alone will be worth every minute.
One of my fondest memories as a child was helping my Italian grandmother make fresh pasta on the kitchen table. It didn’t matter what shape it was, the handmade pasta always tasted better. There is nothing like the taste of fresh pasta and it is fairly easy to make, using only 3 ingredients you can make fettuccini, pappardelle or tagliatelle. This pasta recipe is the one I use at my Italian restaurant.
At my Italian restaurant we use the red Marcato Atlas Pasta Machine every single day and love it. They have a bunch of other cool colors too (I have the black one at home!).
21. ✧ Start an Herb Garden
Gardening can be a lot of fun and growing your own herbs is a great way to promote a healthy lifestyle and teach the same to your kids. They will definitely have a blast digging in the soil and planting seeds, growing seedlings and watering them. You don’t need a lot of space and the vessel can be anything from a simple wooden crate to a mason jar to an old tire.
I know, this doesn’t sound like the funnest thing to do, but have you ever read ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee? How about ‘Diary of a Nobody’ by George and Weedon Grossmith? The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien? Well, the movies are more entertaining but the novels are pretty sweet too and more detailed.
How about “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain? The point is, you learn more when you read these wonderful classics than you do gazing at your phone. Plus, they will give you some culture and conversation ideas when you get older.
Don’t know what to read? Here’s 25 of the best classics to read. You can also easily download many classics to your Kindle for free— some on Amazon.
23. ✦ Eat a New Food
Have you ever tried raw oysters, escargot or frog’s legs? Maybe you have never had something as simple as sushi. Think of all the things you have yet to taste (for some fun ideas go to an Asian market!), then go out and try something new. You never know, you may stumble upon some delectable delicacies that you may never have heard of had you not been adventurous with your food.
I was once running several errands that took way longer then expected to finish. My parking meter should have been expired, but it wasn’t—it had almost an hour left! Somebody must have put their extra change in it it. From then on, I decided to pay my mystery hero back by feeding the parking meter for others.
25. ✦ Be an Extra in a Movie
Sign up with a local casting agent to be notified if any movies are in need of extras. The hours are long and the pay is poor, but it will definitely be an experience that you remember and maybe you’ll meet someone famous!
Movie dates with your partner or friends can be fun and exciting. But a movie date by yourself? It’s a revelation. I thought it would be awkward at first, but when the movie started, I was more focused on the story than being alone.
27. ✧ Leave a Love Note on the Bathroom Mirror
After a nice hot shower, when steam covers the bathroom mirror, leave you partner a little love note on the fogged mirror to brighten up his or her day.
28. ✦ Finish a Crossword Puzzle
Select a challenging crossword to attempt, and don’t cheat—no dictionaries or assistance allowed! If you want something a little more simple then buy the New York Times Light & Easy crossword puzzle book.
A lot of foreign films are making their way to the US cinemas, but even if you don’t want to leave the house there are tons to choose from on television or streaming apps. If you don’t know which one to pick, check out these 30 best foreign-language movies on Netflix.
30. ✦ Reconnect with an Old Friend
We all have those friends that we used to be very close with, but have drifted apart because life just gets in the way. These are typically the ones that once your paths crossed again you will pick up right where you left off—it’ll seem like just yesterday when you last met. So, email, DM, text or even call the one friend you’ve been thinking about.
31. ✧ Start Fire Without Matches
Play the game of Survivor, get some flint and learn how to start fire sans the matches. Here are 13 ways you can do it!
32. ✦ Write a Letter to your Future Self
Writing a letter to your future self can help to lead your life in the right direction. Share your current thoughts on love, family, career, finances, aging, etc. and also your hopes for each of these things in the future. Tuck your letter away and do not open for at least five years!
On my 40th birthday I wrote a letter to my future self. It is a beautiful piece about exactly how I felt at that point in my life. After not reading it for five years, I have now vowed to visit it on every birthday.
Make your letter even more special by picking some pretty paper (like this Japanese Stationary) and handwriting it.
33. ✦ Surprise Someone
Whether there’s a special occasion or not, surprising someone is one of the best ways to show your love and appreciation for him or her. It can be as simple as sending an unexpected gift over to his or her office or planning a special weekend for you to bond. For me, the best surprise is turning up on the doorstep of your loved one with cheese, charcuterie and a bottle of wine.
34. ✦ Ask Your Partner These 50 Questions to Get to Know them Better
If you’ve been in a long term relationship like me, you probably think you know everything about your partner. But believe me, there is still a lot that you don’t know! These 50 questions to ask your partner will definitely help you get to know someone better. Some of them are deep and serious, while some are just plain fun.
35. ✦ Dance on a Bar
Most of us have danced in a bar, but have you ever danced on a bar? It’s a totally different experience! Just find a place where this is allowed, then grab your girlfriends for a little boogie atop the bar.
36. ✦ Be a Tourist in Your Own Town
Can you confidently say that you know your city in and out? If you were asked to write a guide to your city, would you do it justice? Take the time to visit more than just your usual hangout places—there has got to be more to your town than hanging out at the same coffee shop and the mall!
37. ✦ Hug a Redwood
Take a road trip to give some TLC to one of these enormous trees. If there are no redwoods in your area, substitute it with any tree with a huge trunk.
38. ✦ Be an Organ Donor
Even though this is a simple bucket list idea, you may have to think about it real hard before you go through with it. A lot of people need organ transplants every day and wouldn’t it be nice if you can help them by donating one of yours? It would mean the world to them and you would be literally saving their lives. If you’re not ready to be a living donor, you can also register to donate your organs when you die.
Want more information or ready to register? You can find everything you need at organdonor.gov
39. ✦ Handwrite a Letter to Someone Special
I know, right? Why would you want to handwrite a letter while you can simply Snapchat them or send them a DM? The thing about writing letters is that it is more personal plus you have more than just 140 characters to work with while crafting the message!
Use the opportunity to tell your close friend or loved one how much they mean to you or to bond with your parents or grandparents. This cheap bucket list ideas is a chance for you to learn how to express yourself in full sentences, without emojis and texting abbreviations (OMG!).
40. ✦ Write a Haiku
A Haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry that consists of only three lines and a total of 17 syllables. The first and third line has 5 syllables and the second has seven. The lines do not need to rhyme, actually most of the time they don’t.
On my birthday last year, I wrote this one:
A plane flies overhead, you dream of being on it. Ideas flourish.
You’ve got some time to kill at home? Grab a few oranges (or apples) and perfect your juggling skills. This video says that it is so easy that you can learn it in 10 minutes—let me know how that turns out for you!
42. ✦ Feed Someone in Need
This could be the simple random act of kindness of buying food from a restaurant and dropping it off to someone you see that is in need, or an entire afternoon spent volunteering at a shelter. Either way, giving will make you feel good.
43. ✦ Change Your Hair
Go as extreme or tame as you want, but do something very different from what you are used to — push your comfort zone. It can be as harmless as trying a different part (if you’ve worn the same one for years) or trying out some temporary hair color chalk or even a different updo. It can also be as drastic as a full head of fluorescent pink hair or an artistically shaved side. Just make sure that you keep the style for at least full 24-hours and make an appearance out in public! Get some ideas here:
44. ✧ Learn to Change the Oil in your Car
This will be an invaluable goal to learn that will save you tons of money in the future. No…it doesn’t sound like fun. Yes…you might get dirty. But, need I remind you that it will be a new experience and you will learn something?
Edmunds has a great article on how to change your oil that will make it easy (and way cheaper than taking it to a shop!)
45. ✦ Do a Charity Walk
A charity walk is one way to raise funds for a good cause. It can be for the homeless, the elderly, the sick, or for a community project. You can help organize one in your local community or you can just participate. You’ll be hitting two birds with one stone: you’ll be able to contribute for a good cause and you’ll be reaching our required number of steps for the day in no time!
46. ✦ Read the Book Before the Movie
Lots of movies today are based on novels. Not only are the contemporary ones turned to blockbuster motion pictures, but the classics also made their way to the big screen. If you’re a bookworm, you’ll find that reading the book first before watching the movie is almost always better. I know it’s easier to just watch the movie than read the book, but once you read the book first, you’ll fall in love with the characters even more and appreciate the movie afterward.
47. ✧ Knit a Scarf
Go to the local craft store (or just order online) and pick out your favorite yarn to knit yourself a cozy scarf. You can find several different How-To videos on YouTube, but this step-by-step video on How to Knit a Scarf for Beginners is one of the best.
48. ✦ Donate Clothing
I don’t know about you, but over the course of a year I accumulate A LOT of clothes. This becomes a bit of a problem when my closet can’t house them all anymore. That’s when it’s time to purge. The general rule of thumb is to donate it if you haven’t worn it in over a year. Some make this an annual process by turning all their hangers the wrong way, and after they wear something they turn it the right way. What ever is on the hangers not facing forward at the end of the year either get tossed or donated!
49. ✦ Contact Someone with Your Own Name
I know, this may sound a little crazy, but aren’t you at all curious who shares your name? There are tons of people with the same as yours and mine. Who knows? You might even get a new friend just because you got bored one afternoon and tried connecting with the person.
50. ✦ Make a YouTube Video
We are all gifted with unique natural skills like dancing, singing, drawing, acting and so on. To showcase your skills or creativity and to get a chance to see just how many people find that impressive, why not create a YouTube video? Just create your first YouTube video cshowcasing your natural flair and upload it. It’s a brilliant way to tap into your creative side and you just might make money out of it. Plus, it can be simple and free!
51. ✦ Entertain the Elderly at a Nursing Home
If you’re looking for a cheap way to make someone happy, volunteering to a nursing home is one of the best and rewarding ways to do that. Sometimes the elderly people living there just need a friendly visitor to make their day. It doesn’t take much to make them happy, it could be as simple as going for a walking together, reading them a book or painting their nails.
52. ✦ Make a Homemade Beauty Product
Skincare is all the rage nowadays. Who wouldn’t want to have fair glowing skin, right? However, products can be quite expensive and some even contain harmful chemicals. A cheap alternative you can do is to make homemade ones. You can use natural ingredients you can find in your kitchen and turn it into soaps or moisturizers. This can also be a perfect gift idea, and when you get the hang of it, maybe you can turn it into a business! My Experience Making a Homemade Beauty Product was not only fun, but practical too. If you need some inspiration, then see these 15 Homemade Beauty Products and 17 DIY Beauty Products to Whip Up.
53. ✧ Perform a Magic Trick
Bring on the abracadabra! Everyone can appreciate the good old vanishing coin trick or pulling a flower bouquet out of your sleeve. You can even have each member of the family learn a different trick and then put on a show!
Thanks to my fear of needles, my heart beated uncontrollably when I decided to give blood. But my mother, who had given blood many times before, convinced me that the feeling of saving lives would far outweigh the fear of that needle piercing my poor, unscathed arm. And she was right. A little pinch in the arm is worth knowing your blood donation can possibly save three lives!
Too often we only send companies messages when something goes wrong. Instead show your appreciation by sending a thank you letter to a company you love because of their product or service. You can thank them for simply existing and making your life easy or for a specific interaction.
56. ✦ Do One Thing You Are Afraid Of
Many psychologists have claimed that in order to conquer a fear you must be exposed to that fear — and probably more than once. Start facing your fear today by doing one thing that you are afraid of. Try holding a spider, jumping out of an airplane, climbing to the top of a mountain or even going to the dentist. Do whatever it takes for you to get out of your comfort zone.
Like the old adage says, it’s better to give than to receive. Walking dogs at the shelter, reading to children at the library or spending an afternoon feeding families at the soup kitchen? Determine what’s close to your heart and then make a decision to make a difference today.
Don’t know where to start? Visit VolunteerMatch who has opportunities in many major cities or check the United Way website.
58. ✦ Go 24 Hours without Internet, Radio or Television
Now, I know, this is a tall order and may not be easy for some. We use the internet for everything nowadays. But think about it. When was the last time you went for two hours without your phone? Try going 24 hours without internet, radio or TV. Read a good book, talk to your family or use the time to complete some of the ideas on this at home bucket list. Soon enough you will wish you had these quiet and peaceful moments more often.
59. ✧ Run a Themed 5k
Participating is a 5k is a great way to teach your children that it’s not always about winning, but about doing your best just to complete the goal. It’s even better if the race has a fun theme, like a mud run (check Active’s 5k Race Finder for ideas). It’d be even more of a bonus if running the 5k was to support a local organization.
You don’t have to travel far to sleep under the stars, you can make a good go of it right in your backyard or at a nearby campground? Even better, on one of those warm summer evenings, get a bunch of your friends to do it with you.
61. ✦ Learn to Use Chopsticks
Not very many adults know how to do this and even fewer kids can comfortably use chopsticks. Do you want to seem sophisticated and well-cultured, then learn how to use chopsticks. It can even be a fun way to eat your favorite bowl of noodles, and you can impress your friends when you are all out for sushi.
Now it’s your turn—what’s on your Simple, Cheap or Free Bucket List?
A three and a half hour drive from the bustle of the city of Hanoi lies a peaceful set of 1,600 islands and islets, Halong Bay. This bay has been the backdrop to many movies, including the Oscar winning Indochine, and taking a Vietnamese junk boat cruise on the bay has also been featured on many things to do before you die lists, including my own.
So, when my travels landed me in Hanoi there wasn’t even a question that I’d spend one day taking a seven hour round trip van ride to witness one of Vietnam’s UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Gulf of Tonkin.
What is Halong Bay
If you have ever wanted to travel to Neverland, then Halong Bay may be just the right place for you. Located in Quang Nihm Province, a cruise along Halong Bay is one of the most popular (and best) tourist attractions in northern Vietnam. Thousands of karsts and isles, tropical evergreen biosystem, and a seemingly endless emerald sea creates one heck of a magnificent view.
Most of the area consists of picturesque limestone islands, only a small portion of which is inhabited. But that’s not all! Halong Bay is also home to many endangered species of animals, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage sit and has been the set of numerous films, including the 2015 movie “Pan”.
The name Ha Long means ‘descending dragon’ and when you see this surreal place the mystical creature will arise in your imagination.
Halong Bay Day Trip Cruise
Many people choose to stay one night, or several, cruising on a Vietnamese junk boat in Halong Bay, but if you don’t have that much time don’t think you can’t do it in one day! We only had the time for a Halong Bay day trip tour from Hanoi—we needed to get back to the city to indulge in more weird street food in Hanoi—and even though it was a long day, it was beyond worth it. Besides a twelve hour day is like working a Friday at my Italian restaurant, except this one would be minus a backed up grease trap, complaining employees and dirty dishes. Easy Peasy.
Tips for Choosing the Best Cruise
You can explore Halong Bay with either a limited budget or with luxury comfort, and you can arrive there by car, minibus or even a helicopter—the options really are endless. But, if you want to have a relaxing experience, make memorable photos, or just spend time with pleasure – choose the tour wisely.
#Tip 1: Answer these 3 Questions
How much are you willing to pay? Your budget can determine the type of cruise you get. If you are opting for an overnight cruise, it is recommended to book higher cabins with big windows or balconies for better views. Whereas, with a day trip what is important is that you are spending enough time on the water cruising Halong Bay and that the food being served is delicious.
How long are you going to cruise? There are one to four-day cruises. Many travelers recommend taking a two-day cruise since one day feels too short for them and three+ days are better if you want to immerse yourself in the local culture. But, like I said before, it is totally doable in one day! So, if your option is a day trip from Hanoi or not going at all, choose option one!
Which route do you want to take? There are 3 main routes:
Halong Bay: This destination is the most crowded spot, also it has lots of ancient caves.
Bai Tu Long Bay: This spot is much more peaceful, but there are no such great caves as in the former.
Bai Tu Long Bay + Cat Ba Island. This is a small island near Halong Bay with numerous bars, restaurants, hostels, and recreational activities.
#Tip 2: Avoid Scams: There are many scams built around booking your cruise in Halong Bay. So, it is better to book a cruise either with your hotel or online in advance (see recommendations below).
#Tip 3: Do the Homework: To avoid disappointment, double-check everything that is included/excluded in your cruise. During the peak season, the cruises are more expensive, so it is better to book in advance. Many of the cruises offer special menus for vegetarians or people with different food preferences, just notify your cruise provider in advance.
What to Expect on Your Day Trip to Halong Bay
Your day trip to Halong Bay will definitely leave a trace in your memory. With the isles of different shapes, pretty beaches and mystical villages, it will be hard to forget! This is the story of my experience:
A long 12+ hour day was about to begin.
We left the city early in the morning, heading towards the bay when a traffic jam stopped us in our tracks. Two buses collided and caused a halt in every direction on the main route. We maneuvered out of the way to take the longer route. Add an hour to that previously mentioned twelve.
The driver had warned us prior to arriving to Ha Long Bay, that the weather is typically rainy or misty with the slimmest chance of escaping one of the two. Especially on this particular week where every tour he led resulted in the guests ducking into the covered portion of the boat instead of enjoying the view from the top deck. There goes the photo ops.
But, when we got there is was cloudy and that’s it. There really was no sun, but we weren’t getting wet. I’ll take it.
We boarded our junk boat, which was a touch smaller than the Hong Kong junk boat that had taken me through Victoria Harbour. Though on this tour there were only a total of six people, the entire boat was reserved for three guests and three crew.
After a brief introduction to the boat, lunch was served as we made our way towards the islets of Ha Long Bay. We would not be going hungry on this tour. We were served a cucumber salad, spring rolls, shrimp, fried pork with sesame, squid, rice and a whole fish that the crew deboned table side. There was enough food to feed a dozen passengers, not just our quaint little group.
After enjoying lunch, we climbed to the spacious top deck and relaxed on a lounge chair to marvel at Ha Long Bay, a name that means ‘bay of the descending dragons’.
According to legend, when the Vietnamese were fighting off foreign invaders, the gods sent a family of dragons to assist in defending their country. These dragons began spitting out jewels that turned into the islands and islets that now are scattered around the bay. The may even be prettier than diamonds!
Along the route we passed through a collection of floating homes, though nobody actually lives in them anymore. The former tenants were moved to the mainland in order to protect the environment. Although you can still see the fisherman out on the bay, working on their small boats, sometimes with their children in tow.
Before finishing this jaw-dropping tour of Ha Long Bay the boat stopped at the Dao Go, a three chambered cave. There were 90 steep steps to climb in order to witness the hundreds of stalactites falling down from the roof, which in some areas was 82 feet high. I had mixed feelings about the rainbow colored lights enhancing certain formations.
It made the natural beauty of Dao Go seem more like an amusement park attraction. But, there was still no denying that it is a breathtaking part of the world.
Heading back towards our starting point, Peter and I were able to catch an essential selfie, just a couple minutes before the sprinkles of rain started. Thank you mother nature for cooperating.
This is the cruise that my husband and I took. It was a small-group tour in a comfortable minivan from Hanoi. You will enjoy the scenery on the boat with a seafood lunch break and an English speaking guide, who will show you the best places including a popular Sung Sot Cave.
If you want something a little more luxurious, then you can have the opportunity to get a luxury day trip in a group of 12 or fewer people. It includes a newer air-conditioned boat, more than 10 dishes of traditional Vietnamese food, and a pleasant atmosphere—what can be better? Tourists are offered an optional stop at the water cave of Hang Luon. Insurance, entrance, and sightseeing tickets are included in the price. Kayaks can also be rented for an additional fee!
A comfortable shuttle bus transfers you to Halong Bay. You will have 4,5 hours of cruising through the waters, hiking to Dau Go Island, exploring Heavenly Cave, and kayaking in Ba Hang Village. Don’t forget to take some food with you, because their lunch is a light one.
Note: If you want to immerse yourself in the local culture, it’s a better idea to get a longer cruise. Viator offers a highly rated 3-day Halong Bay Tour.
With its natural beauty, recreational activities, fresh seafood, ancient caves and unique flora, taking Halong Bay day trip should be one for the memory books. If you haven’t yet added this breathtaking place to your bucket list, don’t waste another minute!
Maui in general is a bucket list item to check off for many. When you think of it, you likely envision the best turquoise waters, lush forests, beautiful weather and hula dancers against a torch-lit backdrop. And Hawaii is all that, but also so much more!
Maui is the second largest of Hawaii’s islands, adored for its world-famous beaches, whale sightings, fresh cuisine, and amazing views of both sunrise and sunset. With so many fun things to do in Maui and a long list of adventurous must-do activities, you will surely never get bored—unless you want to.
While traveling throughout the top Hawaiian island, there were a lot of goals checked off my bucket list, plus so much more unexpected treasures.
What to See + Do
1. ✦ Attend a Luau
Not many people travel all the way to Hawaii without attending a quintessential Maui luau. The traditional feast typically has music accompanied by dance, and no shortage of food. The Feast of Lele in Lahaina puts on one of the few luaus in Maui that is not a buffet (that’s primarily why I chose that one!). Though another popular choice is Old Lahaina.
It’s definitely best to book your seats in advance, as this is one of the top activities to do on the island. Here are a few more options for doing so online:
2. ✧ Go Whale Watching
When you visit Hawaii in the winter season, from November to March, whale watching is the activity that should be at the very top of your bucket list of things to do in Maui! These boat tours take 2 to 3 hours, typically in the morning time, where you’ll get to enjoy beautiful Hawaiian scenery from the ocean as you try to get lucky and catch sightings of whales. There are plenty of tours to choose from, but the 2-hour whale watching cruise is one of the most popular.
3. ✦ Swim with Sea Turtles
Though sea turtles can be found in many snorkeling/swimming areas on the island, one of my favorites was Maui’s Olowalu Reef. Kayak Olowalu has an excursion where not only can you kayak through the smooth waters, but also pop on a mask to snorkel, and if nature is on your side quite possibly swim with some sea turtles. If you are lucky, a few sharks will be roaming around ready to share your ocean space!
For some added bucket list adventure book the Turtle Town snorkeling tour that takes you snorkeling in the extinct volcanic crater of Molokini!
4. ✦ See the 7 Sacred Pools of Ohe’o Gulch
Known for its gorgeous waterfalls and pools, The Pools of ‘Ohe’o is perhaps the most popular attraction in Eastern Maui—a popularity which it most definitely deserves. Located in the Haleakala National Park, the valley and its pools can make for an amazing day when combined together with a hike, such as taking the Pipiwai Trail.
To enter, you will have to pay a fee of $15 (per pedestrian or bicycle) or $30 (per private vehicle), but for that price you have access to the entire park, including the trails and summits and the pools, for 3 full days.
5. ✦ Walk on a Black Sand Beach
While contemplating which of the Road to Hana stops you will make, don’t miss the one at mile marker 32, the Wai’anapanapa Black Sand Beach. Take the short, steep trail down to the beachfront, take off your shoes and walk along the shiny black sand. It was one of my favorite things to do in Maui.
6. ✧ Pose With Lahaina’s Banyan Tree
Planted in 1873, in honor of the first Protestant mission to Lahaina’s 50th anniversary, this at the time small tree has since grown to be more than 60 feet tall, with a circumference of a quarter of a mile and nearly 50 major trunks. In layman’s terms, it is a massive tree in both its size and its magnificence. To honor the tree, the courthouse square it now stands on has been renamed as Banyan Tree Park. It’s a popular location to snap a photo, and you’ll see just why when you witness it with your own eyes.
7. ✦ Tour a Pineapple Farm
You haven’t tasted a pineapple until you have tasted one straight from the bush! Take a tour of a pineapple farm with Maui Gold Tours to see the fascinating farming process of the fruit, plus your guide will allow you to taste the pineapples at three different levels of ripeness, so you can pick your favorite. You can read about my tour experience here: Facing pineapple gluttony in Hali’imaile, Hawaii
8. ✧ Learn to Hula
Hula is a Polynesian style of dancing, originating on the Hawaiian Islands. There are numerous sub-styles of hula, with Hula ‘Auana (the direction Hula evolved to through Western influence) and Hula Kahiko (the ancient form of Hula) as the main categories; all styles of hula come accompanied by a chant or a song, either played on traditional instruments or “Western” instruments like a guitar and ukulele, with hand movements often directly representing the words in the chant or song.
You will have plenty of opportunities to catch an actual Hula show while you’re on Maui, but to actually `learn to Hula, you may want to look into arranging a lesson with Hawaii Hula Company.
9. ✦ Drive the Road to Hana
One of the absolute best things to do in Maui is to drive the picturesque 53-mile, curvy Road to Hana. With breathtaking waterfalls, hiking spots and beaches, this drive should absolutely be on your bucket list. Take a peek at my reccommendations of the 17 best Road to Hana stops to see what you would be missing if you choose not to go.
You can rent a car to drive the Road to Hana on your own or book a small group full-day sightseeing tour.
10. ✧ Snorkel Molokini Crater
This stunning and unique crater, located off the Maui, is the remains of a violent eruption that took place more than 200,000 years ago. It’s an amazing spot for snorkeling, as well as scuba diving for those daring enough to go deeper. To reach Molokini Crater you will need to go by boat, so the best way to do it is with a tour (like the Molokini and Turtle Town snorkeling tour)
The Molokini Crater is worth visiting for its unique shape alone, but once you see all the colorful fish and coral, you’ll be extremely pleased you chose to go on a snorkeling or diving trip there.
11. ✧ Sleep in a Yurt
Prior to traveling to Maui, I had never even heard of a yurt. But, now I know that these tent-like shelters that are used by Central Asian nomads can be a unique lodging option. At Luana Resort Spa in Hana not only can you sleep in a cozy yurt, but you can also have a variety of spa services in one too.
12. ✧ Take a Helicopter Tour
While Hawaii and Maui are beautiful when seen up close, they may look their most stunning when seen from high up! Perhaps precisely for that reason, this spectacular experience is one of the best things to do in Maui, having made its way on many travelers’ bucket lists.
Whether you choose to take a flight over Hana or Molokini, if will not disappoint. There are several helicopter tours you can choose from, and here are some of the highest rated available:
13. ✧ Milk a Goat
Maui is home to Surfing Goat Dairy which is located in lower Kula of Maui’s Upcountry and has been producing gourmet goat cheeses for over ten years. They offer a variety of tours, one of which you can milk an actual goat! After the milking is complete don’t forget to eat a creamy goat cheese truffle while at the goat dairy.
14. ✧ Go Ziplining
Another spectacular way to experience Maui from above is by getting your blood pumping with adrenaline on a ziplining course! Base on your travel style you can choose a zipline adventure that includes catching the Haleakala National Park sunrise (book here) or try a 7-Line zipline tour on the North Shore.
15. ✦ See a Blow Hole
Though the Road to Hana is the most famous roads in Maui, it is not the only place to take an incredible drive. Traveling north from Kapalua to the Nakalele Blow Hole won’t disappoint either. The natural wonder gives off quite a show when the tide and surf combine. Just don’t get too close, because it can be dangerous!
16. ✧ Do a Waterfall Rappel
Dubbed the most unique of activities to do in Maui, rappelling down a waterfall can sound both exhilarating, once in a lifetime and nerve wrecking, all at the same time. Offered solely by Rappel Maui on this beautiful island, by taking on this tour you’ll surely bring home not just unforgettable memories but unique travel stories that’ll excite and thrill many curious ears! And don’t worry if you’ve never rappelled down a waterfall before, as both courses available also include some basic training.
17. ✧ Bicycle Down a Volcano
Haleakala Bike Company will take you on a bicycle adventure starting at the summit of Haleakala, Maui’s largest Volcano. The thrilling 27-mile downhill bike ride includes bicoastal and crater views, as well as pit stops along the way.
18. ✧ Learn to Surf
It’ll probably come as no news for you that Maui, especially its North shore, is an excellent place to learn to surf, with spots for both beginners and experts to get their surfing game on. After all, it is the state’s official sport. Because of how popular and accessible surfing is on Maui, you won’t have to put on a lot of effort into finding a spot to go surfing in or where you can learn how to surf – for example you might want to book the Maui Surf Group Lesson. Or if you’d feel more comfortable with being guaranteed a female teacher, check out Maui Surfer Girls.
19. ✦ Relax in a Funky Surf Town
One of the absolute must things to do in Maui is to spend time relaxing in a cool surf town—and Paia is a perfect choice. With its beachy boutiques, stunning waterfronts and fresh fish restaurants, It is definitely the epitome of a funky, cool town. It is also a great place to start on the Road to Hana.
Consider an overnighter at the trendy Paia Inn, which Conde Nast named as having one of the World’s Sexiest Hotel Staffs.
20. ✧ Standup Paddle Board
If surfing isn’t your thing, you might be happy to hear Maui is an equally excellent location for standup paddle boarding – SUP for short. Maui is where SUP was invented in the first place, so you absolutely cannot miss out on adding this to your bucket list and then checking it off there! You won’t have to put a lot of effort into finding a decent spot for some lessons and rentals, with Maui Stand Up Paddle Boarding being the highest rated and most popular one to start from.
21. ✧ Smell the Lavender
In the Upcountry region of Maui, you will find Alli Kula Lavender Farm. Although lavender is not native to Maui, and they are not always blooming, a walk through the gardens during the season is definitely bucket list worthy.
22. ✧ Learn to Play the Ukelele
The ukelele, which means jumping flea, is commonly associated with Hawaiian music. So, what would be a more perfect thing to do in Maui than learning how to play one while on the island? At Ukelele Mele you can not only master how to play this instrument, but also purchase one as a souvenir.
23. ✧ Wear a Fresh Flowered Lei
A lei is a garland that is a symbol of affection and placed around the neck upon arriving to Hawaii. In the movies these tokens are mostly made with exquisite fresh flowers, though in most places through the islands they have been replaced by the Kukui Tree Nut lei, which lasts much longer. But, with all of the gorgeous Hawaiian flowers you will find in Maui it is worth seeking out a fresh one.
24. ✦ Witness Lava Rock
Another one of the amazing things to do in Maui is to take a drive along Makena Road and through the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve for cool peek at the lava fields. It looks like something from the set of Star Wars! The surreal landscape was created by the lava flowing from Mt. Haleakala.
25. ✦ Stand Amongst a Bamboo Forest
Along Maui’s Road to Hana, you can take the Pipiwai hiking trail to the majestic Bamboo Forest. Stand amongst the impressive bamboo that lines the pathway.
What + Where to Eat & Drink
26. ✧ Eat Pie at Leoda’s
Leoda’s Kitchen is popular for its comfort food and pies, and often dubbed as one of the best places to eat on the island. They’ll have some truly unique items on their menu, such as ahi eggs benedict, but also a fair amount of familiar dishes like the garden salad. And you can’t enter Leoda’s without trying one of their pies! You can’t go wrong with their signature coconut cream pie, but other options on the menu sound just as tasty, including the pineapple mac nut and Olowalu lime and peanut butter.
27. ✦ Indulge on Shave Ice
Take a step up from the kiddie snow cones and indulge in a Hawaiian delicacy, flavored Shave Ice. What is it? This dessert is made with shaved ice (not crushed like that of a traditional snow cone) and then topped with an array of flavors.
Try one of the best at Ululani’s Shave Ice shop, which has several locations throughout Maui. I can vouch for their Haleakala made with coconut, leche and topped with sweetened condensed milk!
28. ✧ Eat Seafood at Mama’s Fish House
Mama’s Fish House is a highly rated and world famous restaurant located on Maui’s North Shore. It is a family-owned restaurant with decades of history, with their fish guaranteed to be local and fresh, brought in by their trusted fishermen on a daily basis. On their menu you can not only find ahi and mahi mahi, but you’ll also learn who caught the fish and how, making each day’s menu unique.
29. ✦ Eat at a Roadside Stop
From banana bread to fresh fruit smoothies to jumbo shrimp, you can get it all on the Maui roadside. On the Road to Hana, stop at Halfway to Hana for some of their famous pieces of banana bread. Or go to one of the most well-known roadside stops, Geste Shrimp, a delicious Hawaiian food truck in Kahalui that would make a perfect pitstop on the way to the airport.
30. ✧ Drink Local Craft Beer
Even if you’re not a big drinker, one fun aspect of travel can be to try the local drinks, with trying out local craft beers being a particularly easy and tame to do. There are two big breweries on Maui, Maui Brewing Co. and Kohola Brewery. To enjoy their creations in the best of atmospheres, do try out Barefoot Bar at Hula Grill, The Dirty Monkey or Down the Hatch.
31. ✦ Go Wine Tasting
Experience a different side to Maui and go wine tasting. Just under an hour away from the funky town of Paia you will find Tedeschi Winery, a small place with a handful of varietals. Drinking different types of wine is one of my favorite things to do wherever I am in the world and here you can take a tour, as well as do a tasting. Don’t miss out on trying the pineapple wine!
32. ✧ Eat Farm to Table at O’o
The private culinary farm that provides the food for O’o, located in Upcountry Maui, is the only one of its kind on this island. You can find information of the specific plant produce available right here. On the weekday mornings, you can get a coffee tour on the premises, which includes a filling breakfast, while the 3-course lunch tour comes with vegetarian options as well as fish and chicken choices. The price for this activity can feel a bit steep, but once you’ve tried their food and seen the views its estate holds, you won’t regret a single dime spent!
33. ✦ Snack on Spam Musubi
Along with shave ice, Spam Musubi is another popular Hawaiian delicacy. It is a slice of Spam canned meat (made mostly of ham) that is wrapped in seaweed. It an be found at many delis, grocery stores and even gas stations. The one I munched on was scored at the Honolua Store in Kapalua for only a dollar fifty.
34. ✧ Drink a Cup of Maui Grown Coffee
Hawaii is one of the rare states and territories belonging to the US that is capable of producing their own coffee, therefore offering the visitors to Hawaii yet another delicacy to try out whilst there. Maui Grown Coffee is the main local coffee provider on Maui, growing its coffee on an estate in Lahaina, specializing in various Arabica coffee varieties. You can get a cup of their steaming hot and tasty coffee at their company store in Lahaina, and you can also compare it against a smaller coffee grower by checking out Grandma’s Coffee’s coffee selection as well.
35. ✦ Eat Kalua Pig
Kalua pig is cooked in an underground oven, a traditional Hawaiian cooking technique. And, of course, it is tender and tasty. You can find it on many menus, but Flatbread Pizza in Paia sells a popular pie, the Mopsey Kalua Pork, which features the most tender Kiawe smoked free-range pork shoulder.
36. ✧ Eat at a Mixed Plate Restaurant
When you’re in Maui, you won’t be low on choices of dining spots to choose from. Another rather quintessential type of meal on Maui is a mixed plate, also referred to as a plate lunch. This dish typically consists of two scoops of rice, two scoops potato mac salad and some meat, usually kalua pork. Though not the only one of its kind, a quick Google search will tell you that Aloha Mixed Plate is THE place to go for such a meal now, especially if you want those gorgeous oceanfront views to go with your meal.
37. ✦ Eat Fresh Fish Tacos
Located in a discreet strip mall, you will find one of the most popular fresh fish tacos and yummiest of things to do in Maui. At Coconuts Fish Cafe each fish taco is made with 17 different ingredients, plus the fish is no older than five hours and the tortillas are made in house. What could be better than that?
38. ✧ Eat Manapua Buns
Have you ever had a Chinese steamed bun? Well, Manapua buns are somewhat similar to them, and yet quite uniquely its own kind of a Hawaiian style steamed bun. It’s typically filled with pork, although other variations also exist.
39. ✧ Eat Poke
Poke is a dish native to Hawaii, made of diced raw fish, often also running under the name ‘poke bowl’. Traditionally the fish is prepared with maui onions, roasted candlenut, limu, soy sauce green onions or sesame oil. For some of the best poke on Maui, taste the dishes served at Takamiya Market and Eskimo Candy Seafood Market & Café.
40. ✦ Eat Coconut Candy
Nahiku Marketplace is a small Hana shopping center, which consists of a tiny handful of Hawaiian product shops. This is where I discovered one of my absolute favorite Maui treats, coconut candy. The coconut is hand cut, sprinkled with brown sugar and slow baked. It was well worth the $5 a bag and a spot on your bucket list.
41. ✧ Eat Loco Moco
A delicious Hawaiian comfort food, a traditional loco moco is made by topping rice with a fried burger patty and gravy, with a fried egg as a cherry on top. And it’s so tasty, it can’t be missing on your list of things to do in Maui! Include Kihei Caffe, Nalu’s South Shore Grill or Rainbow Drive-in in your itinerary so that you can fall in love with loco moco in one of the restaurants known to make it the best.
42. ✧ Buy Fruit Using the Honor System
While driving on the island you will see several unattended stands selling a small selection of fresh fruit. Each has it’s own money slot with the cost of the product, allowing you to buy your fruit using the honor system. Consider picking up a fresh pineapple for the road.
Essential Tips for Visiting Maui
Getting There: Most travelers fly into Kahului Airport (OGG), which is the main airport of Maui. You can easily check for the best fare deals at Skyscanner, which also has the option to choose ‘cheapest month’ as the departure to find the lowest priced dates to fly to your destination. You could also check on flying into Honolulu International Airport (HNL) and taking a half hour commuter flight to Maui.
Where to Stay in Maui: Choosing where to stay in Maui is mostly about which area you’ll be spending the most time in. For the perfect gateway to drive the Road to Hana, then the town of Paia is a good choice. We stayed (and loved!) the Paia Inn(Moderate). West Maui is popular because it has the many dining and accommodation options. For something on the less expensive side, try the Best Western Pioneer Inn(Budget) that is right in downtown Lahaina. For a hotel with a little more extravagance, book a room at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa. Or search some great deals on hotels of your choice at Booking.com. If you’re looking for more of a home atmosphere (or are traveling with a group of people), head over to Airbnb that has houses, apartments and even just a room for rent in every price range.
Getting Around: Renting a car in Maui is the best to really experience the island and RentalCars.com has some great deals. If you are not renting a car, there are plenty of options. It is possible to get around the island by taxi, shuttle, tours or public transportation. Plus, both Lyft and Uber are available all over the city.
Top Tours: You can find some of the top tours at Get Your Guide. I recommend these ones:
Insurance: It’s always a good idea to travel fully insured so you are protected in case of trip cancellations or medical emergencies. You can check out pricing areTravelex Insurance.
The Joel Osteen Inspiration Cube is now available to order for .99 | Joel Osteen Inspiration Cube
The “Joel Osteen Inspiration Cube,” an electronic device that plays daily affirmation, inspirations, and brief sermon clips from the senior pastor of the 40,000-member Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, has hit the market.
According to the “Joel Osteen Inspiration Cube” website, the cube is $39.99 and includes 365 daily inspirations, 52 sermons, and 31 affirmations that play with the push of a button.
“Start each day with just a touch,” the website reads.
A spokesperson for Lakewood Church told The Christian Post on Tuesday that each purchase supports the missions ministry at Lakewood Church.
“Lakewood Church has licensed Pastor Osteen’s messages to Idea Village of New Jersey for the creation of the Inspiration Cube,” the spokesperson said. “The cube is a library of Joel’s inspirational messages in a portable rechargeable audio device.”
Osteen won’t receive any personal compensation from the sales of the Inspiration Cube, which will be available in September in stores across the country, including Walgreens, CVS and Walmart.
Carmen Best has served as chief of the Seattle Police Department since 2018. (Facebook/Seattle Police Department)
Seattle’s city council on Monday approved a reduction in the budget of the city’s police department of less than 1%, after months of protests demanding that it defund the force, but signaled deeper cuts might be on the way.
By a vote of 7-1, the council approved a revised 2020 budget that reduced the department’s budget by $3.5 million for the remainder of the year and invested $17 million…
I’m announcing today that on Saturday, September 26, I’m going to be here in our nation’s capitol to pray—and I hope thousands of families, pastors, and churches will join me! Our nation is in trouble, and we need God’s…
Alumni Organization Asks Liberty Board to ‘Permanently Remove’ Falwell as President
Saying it “isn’t just about one photo,” an organization of alumni, students and faculty is calling for Liberty University’s board of trustees to “permanently remove” Jerry Falwell, Jr. as the Christian university’s president.
The organization, called Save 71, launched a website and posted a timeline of what it calls a “pattern of behavior and toxic culture” that has “trickled down from Liberty’s leadership into every area of the school.”
As Christian Headlines previously reported, last Friday, Liberty’s board of trustees said Falwell had taken an “indefinite leave of absence” after an Instagram photo sparked calls for action by the board.
“Over the past several years, President Jerry Falwell Jr. has damaged the spiritual vitality, academic quality, and national reputation of Liberty University,” Save 71 said in a statement. “We are a group of Liberty alumni, students, and faculty calling on the Board of Trustees to permanently remove President Falwell and replace him with a responsible and virtuous Christian leader.”
The board of trustees, the organization said, “should appoint an independent committee of leaders from within the Liberty community, as well as leaders outside of it, to begin the search for a new president.”
“We will put forth names of people we believe should be nominated to this committee in the coming days,”…
On Thursday, Aug. 13, Museum of the Bible will host “Winning the Vote: The Women’s Bible and Suffrage,” a special program featuring a distinguished panel of speakers that will discuss topics relating to The Woman’s Bible and the centennial of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.
“As we look forward to Nov. 3, I think it’s important to look back at the history and privilege of voting, as well as the suffrage movement,” said Shannon Bennett, Museum of the…
CatholicVote Urges Joe Biden to ‘Publicly Condemn Attacks’ against the Church
A Catholic political advocacy group is calling on presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden standup for the Catholic Church amid recent acts of violence against its churches, statutes, and symbols.
Last Thursday, CatholicVote released a statement asserting that Biden “has a responsibility and duty to Catholics to publicly condemn these attacks” since he is a “baptized Catholic.”
“Catholic churches across America are literally burning, and Joe Biden has said nothing,” the statement, written by CatholicVote President Brian Burch reads.
“Leading members of the Democratic Party have fueled a climate of hate against Catholics, and these attacks have now led to acts of vandalism and violence. These attacks on the Church raise serious questions about the commitment of Joe Biden, a self-professed Catholic, to stand up to the rising climate of anti-Catholicism across the country.”
Former Congressman and CatholicVote Senior Political Adviser Tim Huelskamp criticized Biden’s “deafening silence” on the attacks which “speaks loudly of his consent.”
“Many of these statues and churches were built centuries ago by faithful Catholics and remain powerful symbols for Catholics today,” he said. “All good and decent Catholics are offended by this growing anti-Catholic rampage. Joe Biden’s deafening silence during this hate-filled epidemic speaks loudly of…
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
