I realized something today - we are always talking about living simple and cutting back and making do. MAYBE what we need to do is SIMPLY LIVE!!!!!!
Quit trying to make everyone in the world happy - it can't happen. Quit trying to do what everyone expects you to do - do what you want/need.
Now I am NOT advocating do anything morally wrong or illegal in any way at all. Just do what makes you happy! Maybe if we do just that - then in turn we are happier people and it will show with others.
I have always said I didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up - well, guess what? I still don't!!! I love doing a lot of things - so I guess I will just practice many things and be a master of none!
Do you like to paint? - Then create. Paint pictures, paint rocks, paint frames, paint walls, paint fabric - just paint!
Do you like to sew? - then create wonderful items for yourself or others. Create - sew, crochet, knit, quilt, whatever you love.
Do you love animals? - Then take care of your pets. Pet sit for others. Volunteer your time at animal shelters. Feed nature and watch them. Do what you love.
Do you like photography? - Take pictures of nature, of birds and animals. Take pictures of foods. Take pictures of trees and flowers. Frame them - gift them - enjoy them!
Do you love to cook? - Then create wonderful dishes for your family and/or friends. Create foods and sell them.
Do you love to shop? - Make it a business - do it for others. Now more than anytime, would be a great time to shop for others. At least the orders would be delivered correctly??? !!! LOL
Want to own a business? - Do it. It doesn't have to be brick and mortar - it can be an Etsy shop or something.
Help others. Volunteer at homeless shelters or at food/supply pantries. Start a neighborhood clean-up. Start a "village" garden (something for next year). Start a Christmas gift drive for disadvantaged children. Do whatever you can to help others - you are not just helping others but yourself and you will be setting a wonderful example.
Do what makes you happy.
I have a niece who is a very spiritual young woman, she also loves being healthy, exercise and nature. She worked at her church for many years as a 'teacher' of sorts. She taught exercise classes, nutrition and spoke of Biblical lessons we should all follow. Well, as most things last year, that came to an end. Not to be stopped - she started her own business. She takes groups on camping and hiking trips to commune with nature and God - she still teaches nutrition (while in the woods) and teaches God's lessons. She is doing all the things in life that make her happy and she is making a good living and she is helping others. They get scripture, exercise, fresh air, nutritious food and a wonderful weekend in nature.
Pretty cool for doing what makes you happy!
So take some time and decide what is your passion. Decide your joys in life. Decide what makes you happy.
We all know family, friends and pets are our joys! That is for sure. I am talking about other things that make you smile.
The same goes for taking care of your home. You know what you want and need to feel prepared for whatever. No one knows your heart and mind. If others don't follow suit - so be it. Keep doing you and do what makes your home your FORTRESS.
If you get criticized - smile and thanks for your advice, and then continue what you are doing. When it comes to your home and your well being - you know what is right. You DO YOU!
Don't let others hold you back. People can criticize and judge all they want - this is your life. As long as you can afford what you do, do not put upon others, and you are happy - then LIVE.
It isn't all about living simply - but SIMPLY LIVING.
FOLLOW YOUR HEART
Love this post, we have an angry family member, who's choices upset many. In the last year we have chose to distance from them, life is much better, I still get sad at the lack of contact, but in my heart I know this way is best.
ReplyDeleteSometimes that is the best and only choice. It is sad - but it happens. Keep them in your prayers and pray their heart softens.
DeleteAnger is a choice as well and it can consume a person. Glad you have decided to not let it infiltrate your life.
Blessings to you.
This is such an important post, and it hit right at the time I needed it, Cheryl! You are AMAZING!!! Last week was a HUGE reminder about doing what makes you happy, living the life you want, because tomorrow is never a given. My youngest sister's husband (age 56) had a massive heart attack last Sunday; we buried him on Friday the 13th, amidst lots of family drama between his side and ours, lots of finger-pointing and angry words. Having gone through an unexpected loss of a spouse 7 years ago, I am amazed at my sister. She's spent the last several days doing what SHE wants, when SHE wants, and how SHE wants. She messaged we siblings this morning that she mowed the lawn yesterday, differently than it's always been done, because she wanted to mow it in a different direction. GO SIS! If that makes you happy, DO IT! The other thing that happened during this difficult time is that, at the WAKE, my husband's brother asked me why I quit coloring my hair (I'm mostly blonde-white now, rather than a light brown). He told me that I'm too young to have gray hair and that I look old and will never get a date looking like I do. Well, to start with, I don't want to continue dropping $120 every 6 weeks, when I'm no longer working ... I don't want to take time out of my life to deal with a box that may or may not look good, and it's really none of his business. It simply reinforced my opinion of him -- don't need that negativity in my life, and we were only related through marriage. I don't have to keep in touch with with him or do things for his approval. Even typing this, I'm shaking my head ... I'm doing ME. If you want to come along for the ride, join me. If not, I'll catch you on the return trip. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou go girl! I love it!
DeleteLori I am so sorry for your families loss.. You are so right, we have no idea from one minute to the next what life has in store for us. That is horrible that there had to be drama at the funeral. My goodness.
DeleteYou don't want to color - don't. None of his business at all.
I totally understand understand the 'only related through marriage' thing. I had a person that I had to walk totally and unconditionally away from, because the negativity was horrid. I didn't need when hubby was here (his words and thoughts too) and I sure wasn't going to tolerate it after he was gone.
You go girl - be yourself. I hope your sis does well in her new life.
I am glad this helped you in some way.
Back when I had a house full of teenagers this is exactly what I told them. You choose to be happy! I cannot make you happy!
ReplyDeleteI love your niece's business!
Good thing to tell a house of teens! Yikes, that would be a job!!!
DeleteShe filled a niche and her soul.
Cheryl you are such a fabulous writer and innovator. You put into words what so many of us need to guide our paths.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
Pam in Texas.x
Bless your heart. Thank you - such sweet words. I truly do believe we are a sisterhood and many of us experience the same things.
DeleteI love this blog post, Cheryl. It’s full of wise wisdom. Thank you for sharing the story of your niece, sounds like she made a choice and is out there living it!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. Thanks for you kind words.
DeleteShe sure is - living her dream!
Woohoo, preach it! Love how your niece has used her talents to teach others and enrich their lives. Excellent life choice. I still think Ann Landers' response when someone would ask a nosy and intrusive (and inappropriate) question is perfect: "Why do you ask?". We are a sisterhood. I can just see your readers nodding along with what you are saying.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yes, she is doing her life's work and enjoying it.
DeleteGood response - I will remember that one!
My children were adopted in Colombia. My daughter is developmentally disabled. As you can imagine, when they were children, I got lots of rude questions...often in front of the kid. People even wanted to know why their "real mothers gave them away." I used the Ann Landers response, and do you know what? It never worked. Not once! Never even slowed them down. People who ask rude personal questions always think it is their right to know and you are duty bound to tell them. I don't think "why do you ask?" or "why do you want to know" ever slowed anyone down. They have the guts of a government mule. Sheesh!
DeleteThat is awful. It is just hard to imagine being so darn rude to someone else. I know people do - and they have to be pretty pitiful and small people.
DeleteI, for the life of me, can not understand anyone's logic fr asking such things.
I think in that case my response would not be so nice or tactful!
Soo sorry everyone has gone through that.