Thursday, March 15, 2012

On Wanting Less

I'm getting personal again today.

My first year as an official post-graduate school grad is quickly coming to a close, and I realized in contemplation yesterday just how much I've learned this year.

Money does not grow on trees. Living on a budget is hard
Appreciate what your parents do for you. Take advantage of living close to them while you can.
Sometimes you have to eat cereal for a week to afford the shoes/weekend trip you want.
Dogs are like children. Consider yourself warned.
The world doesn't really owe you anything at 23/24/25, so appreciate where you are. 
Responsibilities don't go away. Take care of them.
Neither do problems, so take care of those, too. Yourself.
Sitting at a desk all day is not healthy, so treat your body right and squeeze in your workout.
It's easy to get lost in a career, so make sure you're cultivating your own interests.
You are not going to accomplish all your dreams/wants/intentions this year. Chill out.
But I think the biggest thing I've had to come to grips with is now a new motto of mine: want less, be better. It's no secret I am an avid wish list maker. Wish list for my closet (this is a huge struggle for me). Wish list for my home. Wish list for my wedding to unknown hubs. Wish list for life. But since I am for the first time financially responsible for myself, I can't run out and buy a couple of new things when I get sick of my closet. Want less. Since I'm tied to a budding career, I can't take off every weekend to Nashville/Atlanta/Mississippi like I want to. Want less. In order to want less, I have to distract my fashion-obsessed, wanderlust mind with a goal. Be healthier. Be stronger. Be smarter. Be more well-rounded. Be an inspiration. Be creative. Be better
Want less here. Be better now.

I know many of you dreamers out there are like me in that we're waiting for our dream life to begin. But waiting for how long? A sweet old friend pointed out the other day that our God knows the desires of our heart, and has always provided them for us. And I stand by the age-old phrase, good things come to those who wait. So here I am, waiting to figure it all out. Does that happen... ever? Lord knows, I have no idea. But I am, waiting that is, with His hand on my shoulder, listening to Him say, Be still my child, and know that I am God.
Want less of this life. Be better. Be fulfilled.
Just saying it out loud makes me feel better.

2 comments:

jessica clayton said...

your past two blog posts seemed directed right at me and my life. Thank you. Definitely things I needed to hear. I feel like I sometimes get bogged down in what I want and what I haven't accomplished yet according to the dream life I've mapped out in my head, but I know I need to be patient and in the mean time enjoy the awesome life that I have. Also the whole budget thing is QUITE a struggle for me as well!ha! I really enjoy taking a break to your blog during my work day. Keep the inspiration coming.

Staley Mc said...

Thank you for this post! I am getting ready to graduate and its definitely such a scary time and this post has given me inspiration and hope that in the end things will be all right and balancing life is something takes time.

 
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