A fabulous life now, not Someday

It’s been a while since I’ve touched my blog, my muse relegated to the back seat, my nose, instead, buried between the pages of this book or that. My mental and physical well-being atop the list of priorities. Along with volunteering. Traveling. Holiday planning. Preparing a birthday bash to usher in a new season and, with that, envisioning the life I desire on the other side of fifty. Beyond fabulous, of course. Someday, I hope, writing will be my core vocation, although maybe not enough to relinquish the other stuff I fill my days with Today: like yoga and music ministry, time with family and friends. Plus the million and one tasks that keep the household running smoother than if I neglected to do my fair share; and work, because I enjoy a steady paycheck, the camaraderie of office life, a sense of purpose as part of a team. Perhaps my life is already fabulous. And Someday is already here.

Is Today the Someday you’ve always hoped for?

Rediscovering our personal truths

This week while I wrapped up a work project, I rediscovered six personal truths that make me tick: 1) I do what I love. If I ever again must be reminded of the answer to the question, ‘Am I in the right field, career-wise?’ I need only recall the Adrenalin rush I experience each time I write. Now I want more. 2) I practice self-love. Self-love and cutting ourselves slack don’t necessarily mean the same thing. A glass of wine to relax, yes; chased by frosted Saltine crackers to de-stress, no. 3) The perfect time to start something never arrives. I am ready to take the next step toward living Today. 4) No (wo)man is an island. I desire to fellowship with others, to encourage and share accountability. And my editor usually knows best. 5) Better late than never. All good things take time. But deadlines are still important. 6) I am good enough. Yet there will always be room for improvement.

What personal truths have you rediscovered?

Image courtesy of winnond at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Stretching, bending our muscle memory

Part of living my life ‘Today’ includes doing things that displace me from my comfort zone. For example, on a recent routine pizza/movie night, I opted, instead, for dinner at a new venue, followed by musical entertainment—which resulted in unexpected, albeit pleasant surprises. One morning I attended a ‘silent’ yoga class, allowing me to focus on my breath and my thoughts without distraction; another day I practiced in the second row where my image is blurrier and it’s harder to pinpoint those areas I might otherwise judge or become preoccupied with. Rather, I concentrated on the big picture—how my body felt and how that translated to my reflection in the mirror. And by saying ‘yes’ to a friend’s spontaneous invitation to the movies, I met five new incredible ladies. When we try fresh things that challenge our norm, we stretch and bend our muscle memory and develop into more flexible individuals, whether inside or outside of the hot room.

What new thing recently challenged your norm?

 

Image courtesy of ponsuwan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Easier said than done

That old saying in the title rings spot-on for me now more than ever since I committed to living my life Today (see “It’s just the beginning”). I’ve begun the process by initiating dialog, albeit painful, forcing me to examine my heart and my motives and to cull the truths from the lies about who I am and what I believe about myself. It feels like I’ve been squeezed through an emotional wringer over the past few days as I shine a light on the darkness and examine my character. I hope it hasn’t always been about my desires, my needs—but rather a wanderlust not to travel so much as to explore and learn, to grow into the most authentic version of the reflection I see in the mirror each day. Ultimately, I know what I must do. Yet that’s when it’s easier said than done. It’s scary… exhilarating. And I feel like I’m running out of time.

When is it easier said than done for you?

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Putting on my big girl panties

It’s not working. The path to my purpose, plan and joy; living in the ‘ah-ha’ moment; circumnavigating discontent; creating my own luck (and balance)… you name it: Just. Not. Happening. And I’m a broken record when it comes to the things in my life I’m unwilling to change in the first place. My sweet friend, Joan, said, Maybe you just can’t [do anything about it] right now. You’ve got lots of stuff going on… You’ll come out of this… then you’ll fix what ails you, a little at a time. She reminded me it’s all about baby steps. Yet, even indecision is a decision. So for now I’ve decided to flounder a bit, “cut myself slack” and indulge in a little selfishness—with my time and energies. To heck with the big girl panties. It’s time for me to stock up on chocolate, wine and paperbacks, and to stop waiting for Someday to arrive in order to start rocking my tutu Today.

How will you live out Today?

Image courtesy of DealDash’s Photos.

Biding our time

At first, I was going to title this post, “Doing time,” as it relates to life and its rote, mundane tasks. But it’s more than rising each day at a prescribed hour, eating breakfast, showering and dressing, doing time at work or school, coming home and eating dinner, washing up before bed and repeating it all the next morning. It’s about learning what we need to do to get where we want to go, practicing patience with others and ourselves, leaning on those in our support system and returning the favor, and waiting for conditions to be opportune for change and/or growth. And it’s not always going to be pretty. Sometimes it will rain on our parades, we won’t like the food in front of us and our friends refuse to come out and play. Or maybe we need solitary confinement to get our heads screwed on straight. It’s about attaining the most from Today while keeping our hopes and dreams alive.

How does biding your time look?

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

The meaning of life according to Gast

 

[Image credit: Keerati]

One day you will wake up and realize that life has passed you by,
that your dreams of today are gone,
that the things you wanted are no longer there.
Not today.
Not now.
Not your life.
This is the day where you take control and create your future.
Life isn’t about waiting, hoping or wishing.
It is about creating, doing and truly living.
Today is that day. ~ Brad Gast

If you could do anything, what would you choose? Have you already arrived? Or is there more? I’m always hoping my dreams come true, waiting for “Someday,” wishing wishing wishing when I blow out my birthday candles each December. I’m always trying to decipher the true meaning of happiness, to be content today so I don’t miss out on a single moment. No regrets. But mostly I’m taking control and creating a niche for myself, doing doing doing so that one day, I will have truly lived.

In your own words, what is the meaning of life?

The possibilities are endless

[Image credit: Stuart Miles]

It’s the possibility that keeps me going, not the guarantee.
~ Nicholas Sparks

The old saying, “there are no guarantees in life except death and taxes” is a bit depressing. And true. Lately, I’ve been tempted several times to give up on my dreams for Someday, thinking I may be better off abandoning Tomorrow’s long shots for Today’s status quo. After all, if there are no guarantees, it seems pointless to hang on to a vision that may never grow into fruition. Cue in Sparks’ quote here. Reading it was like an epiphany. Because it says to me that even though there is no assurance of what Someday will look like, I only need to keep the hope alive. I imagine this is accomplished by doing the things daily that advance my goals. And when I do this, much like the seedling taking root through tender loving care, the possibilities are endless. Even when there are no guarantees.

Do you need the guarantee, or is the possibility enough?

Someday is Today

I talk about Someday. A lot. It’s the place I fantasize about, strive for, count on, pin my future hopes to and hang out in my imagination. One night my daughter texted me the above image with the words, “Saw this and thought of you.” Except for running a marathon Someday, everything else has been me at least once. Cue in the words of Dr. Seuss: “Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!” He doesn’t say, Someday is your day. I may not be living the full reality of my dreams. Yet. But Today is the day to start making things happen. Because Today is the only thing I have to work with. And if I don’t put some sweat equity into it now, when Someday arrives, I may be left behind. Wait, I never … Do you want to plan for retirement? Change your career? Return to school? Fill in the blank? Today is your day.

What are you waiting for?

A brand new ending

[Image credit: njaj]

No one can go back and make a brand new start,
however anyone can start from now
and make a brand new ending.

This quote was written on a girlfriend’s Facebook wall, a sentiment that fits the season I’m currently in—one of new beginnings. It gives me hope that I can make the choice to start—making a change or whatever it is—at any time. I need this reassurance as I learn how to be a mom all over again to my daughter. After a falling out a couple of months ago, I think we both realize we cannot go back as if nothing happened to cause the discord between us. But we can strive to meet halfway and get to know each other as the individuals we are Today. Although there is no script, I believe that with open hearts, we’ll find our way to something better than we could possibly imagine.

Have you ever made a brand new ending by starting over … Today?