November 22, 2013

Add Up the Moments

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I am always wondering why we measure ourselves by how busy we are and how much we have to do. I wish that instead of What do you do? we asked each other What brings you joy? It sounds cheesy but I imagine my life, and maybe yours, too, if our focus was not on doing and accomplishing but on joy. Instead of proving that our day was worthwhile by how much we got done or how much we still need to do what would it be like to add up the moments that we want to savor?

Instead of worrying about how much I wrote or cleaned or how many calendars I sold I could pay more attention to the time spent kissing baby cheeks, to drinking a cup of tea in pleasant solitude, to sending an email to a friend, to the first fluttering snow flakes, or sitting down to dinner with Ray. I know that everything is complicated and there are so many reasons that we feel overworked, undervalued, needing to always do more or not being able to let go. But maybe if we could all just shift our focus a little from doing to enjoying? If we could truly value that in our lives and in the lives of others?

2 comments:

  1. That's an interesting question. I feel like I've always been most joyful when I am outside and active. We are considering a move back to a place with more open/green space again so that we can pursue more joy! But it would translate to a huge commute for my husband... it's hard to figure out that trade off equation.

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  2. Yes! Lisa McCrohan writes a lot of wonderful, inspiring posts about this on her Barefoot Barn Gems of Delight blog.

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