Two Things I Know To Be True...

I have recently taken on a brand new view on life. It's been a process and I pray I'm finally getting it right. I went from being someone that lived each day like I would live a thousand years to realizing that everyday could be my last. Losing my Nana almost a year ago this month put this life change in motion. I would give anything for even a minute more with her, but that's not my reality. Up until recently everything in my life was SO important. My success, my home, my friends, my family, my reputation etc... Then I began to understand some things about myself. I came up with two truths that I will forever live by.

Truth #1 Set Attainable Goals For Yourself.

There is nothing wrong with ambition, but to be honest...I have met very few TRULY HAPPY ambitious people. In our society we measure a man by bank account, job status, spouse, children, home, and physical appearance. Who can be truly happy trying to live up to these unattainable goals? When you grow up in the church, you hear the phrase 'be like Christ' very often. He was perfect!! Don't think it gets anymore unattainable. Perfection is not humanly possible folks. We can't even get through a day without screwing something up.

I believe the church has misinterpreted scripture...imagine that. I think we are supposed to LOVE like Christ, show compassion like Christ, and most of all "learn" to forgive like him. Forgiveness is not always attainable, at least not immediately. It can happen over time though. To be just like Christ is not possible. I have accepted that and I will set more attainable goals for myself that I can accomplish. No one feels good when they fail at LIFE.

Truth #2 Actually Love Yourself.

I'm not new age or anything, but there is a lot to be said for a bath with candles and soothing music. It doesn't stop there though, everything that relaxes, calms you, and makes you happy should be done daily. We don't have to wait for the weekend or a spouse to run us a bath or a special occasion to wear our fancy unmentionables. We should always love and honor ourselves. We can't expect others to like us let alone love us if we are not practicing this daily.

When I first got Maggie B. my trusty little side kick of about 5 years now, I had her groomed regularly, bathed, wormed, daily trips to the dog park, walks etc... I still pamper my girl, but at that time in my life, I was taking better care of her than myself. I loved her and still do, but I needed to start loving myself. I needed to treat myself well. We spend our young adult lives working, working, working so that we may one day relax when we are older and can't even enjoy the time off due to regular trips to doctors and pharmacy's. What is wrong with us? Who started this??

Being a history major, I believe this is something that is fairly recent. Yes, people have always worked, but at one time the work one did was more therapeutic. People actually tend gardens, do wood working, and cook as a stress release now. These were original trades with the early settlers. These people had an abundance of endorphins flowing through them because they were active and their daily goals were very attainable. Today we abuse ourselves. We don't take care of ourselves and our mental stability.

I am starting to love myself and to be honest, it's been great!! I know that I need to run at least 5 days a week and I know I need to drink a cup a coffee on my back patio on a regular basis and I know that I need to visit the beach at least once a week because that's why I moved down here by golly and I'm gonna enjoy it.

I leave you with this thought...There's nothing wrong with wasting time. It's really no waste at all when you are enjoying the gift of life.

Otis said it best..."I can't do what ten people tell me to, so I guess I'll remain the same..."