I’d been thinking about this topic a lot lately, but last Friday seared it into my brain. First I heard about a blog reader (and friend of a friend) who tragically lost her baby to SIDS. Then I heard some potentially bad news about the unborn child of a good friend.
Why do bad things happen to good people? I don’t know. And I’m not even going to venture a guess. I do have faith that there’s a reason for everything in our lives, good and bad, but usually we can’t see a purpose to the latter. And that’s OK. Sometimes surviving is good enough.
But sometimes surviving isn’t enough. Like when your life is going fine, and yet you choose to grumble about silly details. Or when you are lucky enough to have healthy children, but still find yourself fixating on your post-baby body. It’s human to complain. It’s human to be lazy. It’s human to be discontent with life.
But what if life could be better? What if you could make a difference to you?
LIVE A BETTER LIFE.
It’s a phrase that’s been going through my mind lately as it dawns on me that I’ve only got one life to live and no idea how long it will be. And while I struggle finding a balance between being humble and patient, and going the extra mile to make dreams come true, I do think there is middle ground out there. And rather than talk about it, allude to it and set dates to get to it, I’m going to find it now.
Today is the day I stop complaining and start living.
What does it mean to LIVE A BETTER LIFE?
It depends on each person, I suppose. For some people, it will mean living bigger – more spontaneity, more laughing, more pursuits. For others, it will mean living smaller – more peaceful moments, more simple activities, more time for others. But everyone will take a moment before doing anything and think, “Am I living my best life?”
That could mean putting back a second cookie, or having it without feeling guilt. It could mean calling an acquaintance to see if they need anything, or hanging up the phone and having a chat with your husband.
For everyone it will mean less laziness, less procrastination, less hesitation. Undoubtedly it will mean less focus on yourself and more on others, which will mean more smiles all around.
And for everyone it will mean a better life. A life with purpose. A life that doesn’t just happen. A life that you create.
Anyone else want to join me and LIVE A BETTER LIFE?
‘Cause I’m all in.
LABL Step #1: Write down 5 ways your life could be BETTER.
Why do bad things happen to good people? I don’t know. And I’m not even going to venture a guess. I do have faith that there’s a reason for everything in our lives, good and bad, but usually we can’t see a purpose to the latter. And that’s OK. Sometimes surviving is good enough.
But sometimes surviving isn’t enough. Like when your life is going fine, and yet you choose to grumble about silly details. Or when you are lucky enough to have healthy children, but still find yourself fixating on your post-baby body. It’s human to complain. It’s human to be lazy. It’s human to be discontent with life.
But what if life could be better? What if you could make a difference to you?
LIVE A BETTER LIFE.
It’s a phrase that’s been going through my mind lately as it dawns on me that I’ve only got one life to live and no idea how long it will be. And while I struggle finding a balance between being humble and patient, and going the extra mile to make dreams come true, I do think there is middle ground out there. And rather than talk about it, allude to it and set dates to get to it, I’m going to find it now.
Today is the day I stop complaining and start living.
What does it mean to LIVE A BETTER LIFE?
It depends on each person, I suppose. For some people, it will mean living bigger – more spontaneity, more laughing, more pursuits. For others, it will mean living smaller – more peaceful moments, more simple activities, more time for others. But everyone will take a moment before doing anything and think, “Am I living my best life?”
That could mean putting back a second cookie, or having it without feeling guilt. It could mean calling an acquaintance to see if they need anything, or hanging up the phone and having a chat with your husband.
For everyone it will mean less laziness, less procrastination, less hesitation. Undoubtedly it will mean less focus on yourself and more on others, which will mean more smiles all around.
And for everyone it will mean a better life. A life with purpose. A life that doesn’t just happen. A life that you create.
Anyone else want to join me and LIVE A BETTER LIFE?
‘Cause I’m all in.
LABL Step #1: Write down 5 ways your life could be BETTER.
17 comments:
beautiful thoughts, thanks Mrs. Dub - will implement immediately.
i'm in! where do i sign up. you speak such true words. i find i often have to remind myself to focus on living... you know, stop fretting over the little things, and enjoy this time here on earth. it's hard to not get caught up in the mundane details of life, the cooking and cleaning. i'm ready to live my best life starting now. one of my favorite quotes really puts this in perspective: "life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away."
Good post. I think it reminds us all that sometimes we need to stop for a moment to see the forest through the trees. Because, really, it is a beautiful forest!
1. Eat dinner at the table with the tv off.
2. Spend time outside every weekend.
3. Find a job I love or start loving the job I have.
4. Save more. (a.k.a. put the cute target tankini down!)
5. Focus more on "now," rather than "then"
I've been taking steps to do this very thing lately. It's amazing how our mindset changes our life-view. Great post.
1. Slow down, breathe, take time to calmly react to the chaos of the children and to-do lists instead of always thinking 10 steps ahead and getting frazzled.
2. Stop making more lists and then feeling overwhelmed by all the unfinished tasks and projects, being happy with things NOW.
3. Pray more. Listen more.
4. Stop sub-consciously creating impossibly high goals for myself to reach. Appreciate the me I am today.
5. Let my kids be kids and realize I won't be shushing them in church forever.
Thanks for that! I will definitely join you on your quest for living a better life. What a great challenge!
Five things....hmmm.....
1. Each night take a moment to look at your sleeping kids.
2. Take time to enjoy your baby while he/she is still a baby.
3. Make wise financial decisions.
4. If you want to spend money, spend it on making memories rather than just stuff. Stuff breaks and gets lost, memories last forever.
5. Every morning when you wake up choose to be in a good mood and live life to its fullest!
Not too long ago a friend's husband died unexpectedly of a heart attack. At 36 years young. He was perfectly healthy until the moment he died, leaving his wife widowed and two sons behind, onyl 4 and 18 months. I reacted the same way you did here -- determined to live a better life. Here are some changes I've made...
1. Don't fight my kids on unimportant issues. If they want to wear batman costumes and cowboy boots every day, let them.
2. Stop nagging my husband about what he's not doing, and praise him for what he is doing.
3. Make time for the family and friends that really matter. Take phone calls, return phone calls, send notes, give gifts.
4. Take time for myself -- take selfish, lazy days where I lay out, read books, and go shopping all by myself or with good friends.
5. Have a really good life insurance policy and will in place, just in case.
The post & all the comments are so good. Thank you.
dubby,
what perfect words to start off my day. you are the worlds most perfect bff.
You are very inspirational. What a great post to start a Monday!
That's my baby.
Thanks.
What a great post. Thank you for the reminder and nudge to try harder, be better, and appreciate all the little things in life.
I agree with Veeda...what a great goal to start the week with. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I'm in too.
1. Appreciate what I have & take care of them (people, things, etc.)
2. Help others more, even if its not my favorite thing to do
3. Save room for dessert (meaning eat less so I can enjoy more)
4. Keep time for myself
5. Love, admire, appreciate, help, encourage, and support my dh more.
Thanks for the encouragement.
i'm sorry to hear about your friends. allowing other people's lives to touch yours in this way is truly a gift. thank you for the post. perhaps in addition to HTT you should have "motivational mondays" :)
here's my five:
1. take more pictures of everyday beauty... and learn how to use my camera so they're not so blurry.
2. recognize that "this too shall pass" is not just something people say, but it really is true.
3. make time for fly fishing... and stop just saying "we need to go".
4. trust the Lord more.
5. be kind. to everyone. even the people who don't really deserve it.
you're awesome mrs. dub. my friend is a lucky man. :)
Amen! Life is so short- I get so caught up in doing the laundry and loading the dishwasher while my kids play in the other room- one day (it is hard to believe) but I am going to miss them fighting and screaming (really??) or just the noise they make!
1. Enjoy the outdoors
2. Stay home more
3. Say 'NO' to the second tier people in my life
4. Say 'YES' to my DH (first and foremost) and my Kids more.
5. Depend on the spirit more fully and serve those around me.
thanks mrs.dub... and at the same time, thanks for being REAL.
I've been thinking about this same idea, lately. But I have more than 5 to start with. Thanks for being the motivator in getting me going!
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