It seems to me that I am never content.
As a kid I used to start a lot of phrases with I can't wait until . . .
- I can date.
- I can get my driver's license.
- I finish high school.
- I get a boyfriend
- I get married
- even I can't wait to have kids
Now that I'm older my days are filled with I wish . . .
- I had done better in school,
- I wish I hadn't been so boy crazy (which probably would have allowed me to do better in school).
- I wish I would have dated more.
- I wish I would have wore my own wedding dress.
- I wish I would have been more serious about writing sooner.
- I wish I . . . okay, well you get the point.
Sometimes it's so hard to be happy in the here and now. To look at the things you have and not worry about the things you don't. I know I've talked about this before, but I've had a bit of crybabyitis this past week, mostly because I'm comparing myself to others, which is always bad.
So it's time to get over myself and live my own life. Who's with me?!
22 comments:
I wish that every time I felt behind or frantic I would remember to simply enjoy the moment. Thanks!
Me too! My mother always used to say to me, "Don't wish your life away." And I'd just say, "Oh mom." But I would. I really would. "I can't wait to be in jr. high." "I can't wait to be in high school" "I can't wait to be in college." "I can't wait to get a real teaching job." "I can't wait to get married." "I can't wait to have kids." "I can't wait to be published."...and the list goes on and on.
It's been my prayer for these past few months that I would savor each day and draw nearer to God each moment and enjoy this time of waiting, because that's what life is. Waiting. And if we don't learn to enjoy it, then gosh, we'll wish our whole life away.
I understand. I've had two dear friends share some overwhelmingly good news. I've celebrated with them and I've also had to fight off the wishes.
Need to be here now.
~ Wendy
I'm with you. Stepping forward into happy with who I am today and making tomorrow happen by what I do right now.
I just try to stay positive and give thanks that I'm me - it doesn't always work butI try.
Contentment is hard fought... but so worth it! I am thankful for those moments when it's present and fight to keep it near whenever I get distracted by the past- or the future!
I'm trying to do this right now, also. It's a deadly trap to compare and positivity can make so many thing so much better. But it's not easy to start out with. Hang in there!
I sure didn't appreciate things when I was young. I try to now, but everything moves so fast.
Definitely! I recently posted a poem on my blog about this. We need to enjoy our life each day and make the most of what we are given now.
ME! I'm with you, Patti. Time to enjoy even the mistakes. Because without them, I would NEVAH learn. And learning keeps me young. Sorta. Great post, girl.
Be happy in the here and now. I shall use that as my mantra. :)
This is really such a great post, Patti, because I think we are all with you, no matter where we are in life and in the publishing process!!!
My husband made me write these lyrics form the Rent soundtrack into our wedding vows:
There's only us.
There's only this.
Forget regret...
or life is your to miss.
Hard to remember to hang on to that, but it is a terrific thing to remind ourselves (and each other!)
I completely understand what your saying. I'm trying to remember to devour what is right in front of me instead of what's behind and in front. (which is what I wrote about in my post oddly enough!). Sometimes I think our dissatisfaction can also be a blessing, spurring us that something needs to change, maybe even re-capturing an old dream. Or even better, creating a new one!
But, but, but, I don't wanna!!!!! LOL I think that's why I love reading and writing so much. I can be anyone I want to be and leave myself for a while.
this is so true! i wish my kid's hadn't grown up so fast. :( time goes too quickly. my mom always says, "there's no looking back, only moving forward." hmmm...maybe that was walt disney?
Cool post, Patti. Sometimes it is so hard for us humans to stay in the present even though, when you think about it, it really is the best preparation for the future.
I keep trying to tell my daughter to just enjoy life. That she has made in school - all her friends, she's taken care of - so you have to follow some rules and do some work. Big deal. She doesn't quite believe me.
I used to struggle with this so much. ((hugs)) Things are better for me now, though I can't really say what changed. But I've always found that saying helpful, then one that says we always compare our worst with someone else's best.
Hang in there Patti. Happiness is just around the corner!
Oh, Patti, I am SOOOOO with you. On all of it. :-)
At least you realize it, that's what is so important. Now & zen, is how it was described to me once! :)
See all you've accomplished & be glad. & write about it!
I am definitely with you. Every once in awhile I find myself wishing things were different, but then I have to remind myself of all the good things I have.
Oh yes, I can so relate to this! Always wishing for things to go faster when you're young and not really living in the moment. I think it's important to try to be your own personal best-striving to be whatever that is. I tell myself this all the time because I've been told a time or two (or three) that I'm very hard on myself. So yes, I'm with you.
I'm with you! Hope your week turned out great and you enjoyed your break. :)
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