Do you ever feel like you don’t want to do anything? I do. Too often I feel that I get so caught up in getting things done that I forget to live my life and not just exist thru it. I love the people in my life. I love what I do. I have a wonderful life. Looking back at my life I never thought that it would turn out the way it has, and I wouldn’t change it other than take more time to enjoy what I have.
I have joked for years that when I retire I want to start quilting again. Based on my pattern and the pattern of my father, retirement isn’t likely something I’ll do so if I’m going to quilt I may want to start now. I said that I wanted to be the grandma that baked cookies with my grandkids and teach them how to sew; when we get together I do play with them. I spend so much time working that I seldom take the time to do those things that I’ve always wanted to do and today I’m feeling sad about it.
I’m a self-proclaimed workaholic as is my 89 year old father. Now I’m watching my children being parents and spouses and caught up in life working so hard just trying to get thru, I feel sad that I taught them that pattern. It’s a beautiful day outside and I’m working on another class and feeling tired and sad. I know that there’s more to life than work but I struggle to find what it is. Work has always been where I received positive feedback. A happy fulfilling life is about finding balance in all things. You know what they say, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”
So if I didn’t focus only on tasks and could do anything I wanted, what would I do? I’ve wanted to do a vision quest where I would spend the whole day in the woods, hiking, drawing, reading, meditating and allowing my body, mind and spirit to be rejuvenated. I would love to curl up on the couch with a fictional book and read it from start to finish while eating caramel popcorn, ice cream, most definitely chocolate chip cookies and drinking water (strange choice I know but it is my favorite drink).
Since I decided to write a blog, I’ve wanted to write a blog titled “Life’s Too Short to Wear Boring Socks” but I wasn’t sure what it would be about but now I know. It’s about finding the color, variety, and fun in life. My dad always said that work was his play but through the years I’ve found that as much as I love working it’s not my play and I want to play with my loved ones. My favorite memory is the summer that my children, grandchildren, Wendy and I went to Disneyland; I didn’t want it to end. I want to spend more time playing with my family and I’m the only one that can make that happen.
This summer I’m going to add fun colorful socks to my life by playing with my family. It doesn’t have to be big trips, just spending time doing things together and enjoying it. I have a sign on my wall that says, “The greatest blessing God gave me is my family” and it is true.
I’m very, very blessed and I want to enjoy my blessings more. I don’t want to take time to smell the roses because that feels too reserved and restrained – I want wild, crazy, colorful socks that get changed up and worn mixed matched. I want a life that’s spontaneous and lopsided. I’m not well-educated in this area but I have wonderful people in my life that will be willing to help me learn.
Here’s hoping that you find lots of colorful, wild and crazy socks in life. For now, I’m going to go take a walk and enjoy the beauty of the world around me and allow mother nature to rejuvenate my body, heart and sole (ha-ha, get it – socks have soles). Make it a GREAT day!