Enjoy and Live Your Life
Too many of us are waiting.
We are waiting until we lose weight, grow our hair, get the promotion, save more money, send the kids to college and find the time. We spend so much of our time in the daily routines of living and waiting that we forget the magic of ordinary days. Most of us are shocked at how fast time goes by. The Saturday we wait for quickly slides through our fingers. Time flies.Today I want to ask you if you are enjoying the life you live?
I have no intention of judging how anyone chooses to spend their time. I recently met a client who shared she loved her job so much she hated going home. Yet I also have clients who dread the moments of their work as they seek other paths. I know a blogger who feels invigorated by seeking out new photo opportunities and creating posts while another has recently shared she is uncertain this is something she desires to do anymore. A friend can spend hours in the kitchen cooking as therapy from kids and life but another rarely turns on her stove. What is important for each of these individuals to ask is if they enjoy what they are doing? I’ve worked with many women who become so busy raising their children and scheduling their activities that they forget to enjoy their kids. I’ve also worked with others who spend so much time working on their homes via cleaning or remodeling that they forget to take time to enjoy their space. Since the death of my mother and grandmother, I have slowly learned to love my life in a different manner. In the past my weekends were always filled with errands and preparing for the next week. My evenings often included late work nights and left me little time for dinner with my husband or were just as scheduled as my days. I was one who always wanted to make plans with my friends but simply didn’t. I had the best of intentions. I am now on a mission to love my life, even the bad days bring me something good. Call it practicing gratitude or simply being mindful. Here are a few examples in my life over the past few days of how I am choosing to love what I have been given.- Last week I originally had to turn down a brunch invitation with a dear friend. When plans changed, I texted her late Friday night to see if we could still make plans. In the past I would have spent that time doing laundry, going to the store or cleaning my house. Instead, I spent a heavenly two hours on a beautiful patio. Those moments would have passed regardless of the option I choose. The option of being with my friend was far more enjoyable and no harm was done by not staying at home.
- After a Sunday afternoon of trimming shrubs and pulling weeds, I stepped back to enjoy the beauty of the plants I planted 6 years ago. This has been the year all of the digging, wedding and watering has been worth it with a bounty of blooms and colors. I take a few minutes each morning and evening to appreciate what I have.
- Even though we planned to eat in on Monday night, a text from friends to join them for our city’s burger week made us put the planned meal off for another day. A few hours laughing with friends (and really good burgers) is therapy on any day.
We live each day of our life but it is our choice if we are enjoying it.
Tell me how you are living your life!
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YES. I love this. As a special education teacher, I approach each of my kids individually because I know they respond to things in different ways. Similarly, I’m realizing that my own nutrition plan needs to be individualized because nutrition is ALSO not a one-size-fits-all. I’m realizing slowly but surely that I just need to wake up and pay attention to the things that bring me joy.
I’m definitely guilty of not slowing down and just enjoying life’s moments. I’ve been trying to do that more this summer though and I’ve been better for it!
I needed to read this today. Lately I noticed I don’t enjoy much anymore because I am constantly on the move. I am tired and exhausted and that makes me resent my passions. I need to remind myself it’s okay to take a break and enjoy the life I have.
After my divorce last year, I realized I struggled most on the days where I focused on those feelings I had of not knowing what was happening next, of feeling like I was waiting for something else to happen in my life. I felt like I needed to know the next chapter. I’ve slowly come to accept that this is life now, and that I can be happy with where I am now. Changing my perspective has brought so much more joy and gratitude into my days, where I can appreciate this season in my life!
YES. Such a great message, sheryl. Thank you for this. It’s allowing ourselves to be spontaneous sometimes too, like your dinner out with friends. Your garden sounds magical but that didn’t come without a lot of work 🙂
Love this. I think it’s easy to let life pass you by – you have to really sit back and focus on what you love.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
What a beautiful reminder to enjoy the life you are living!
We are all struggling in our house – battling the illness of a dear loved one. Being happy has become one of our main staples. Content rather. We’ve put up boundaries to keep out negativity. My husband gets to go to work and he’ll sometimes comment that he’d rather stay there sometimes. I get it though. If I had somewhere, somedays, I would too. It’s hard taking care of someone who is sick.
But we are making the best of it and keep staying as positive as we can be – together.