I was having a conversation with my very favorite Auntie the other night, and we were discussing how different people approach life in different ways. We decided that there are two kinds of people in this world: Those who consider their life a blessing, and those who consider it a burden.
People who fall on the "blessing" side of the fence look at their time on this earth as something to be savored, a gift to be appreciated and enjoyed. They may not feel that way every day, of course - everyone has days where they feel like they just have to get through the day so they can go on to the next. But they don't consider every day in that light, and instead take joy in the aspects of their life that give them pleasure.
Not so the "burden" folks.
These people consider each and every day something to be endured, something that must be suffered in order to get to...I don't know what. A day that might suck less? A time in their life where things will be "different?" Some sort of game-changing event that will suddenly bring them the opportunity not to consider their lot in life to be survived, but not enjoyed?
In my never-ending (and often futile) quest to be a better human being, I've been thinking about this matter, and how much of a difference this can make in my future happiness. There have certainly been times in my life that had to be "endured," but I don't want my ENTIRE LIFE to feel that way. I want to be able to celebrate each and every day of my life (even the sucky ones). I want to have an attitude that allows me to see the world - and my place in it - as the blessing it truly is.
Because I'm naturally kind of snotty and sarcastic, this requires work. But I've decided that it's work worth doing, because I believe the end result will be a life that brings joy rather a life weighed down with burdens.
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"(and often futile)"
I strenuously object to this description. I'll accept "(riddled with missteps or relapses)" but futile, never. You are one of the most wonderful people I know. Even if you are thinking right now "well, that's sweet, but she doesn't know how fallible I really am."
I do know and I still think you're wonderful, because to me, wonderful isn't a static perfection. It's growing, living, reaching for improvement.
So there. ;P
(And I <3 this new goal. :)
Well. I guess I've been TOLD. :-)
What Anne said.
Also, I think you already do see your life as a blessing, even if you are "naturally kind of snotty and sarcastic." You recognize the pearls of great price in your life on a regular basis and you're willing to do the hard work that living a courageous life entails.
I don't think that people who see their entire lives as a burden to "get through" would take the time to consider if there was another way to look at their lives. At least not until something serious jolted them out of that view.
As someone whose brain often tries to convince her that life is burden not worth living (blunt and ugly, but truthful), I find that trying to find joy in everything around me helps in this.
I have a rosebush along the driveway, and even though the thorns sometimes catch on my sleeve, all summer long, I can stop for a second, and smell a rose as I'm coming and going.
It helps remind me to seek out beauty throughout my day, because it's there to be found, even if it's just a weed flowering in a crack in the sidewalk.
What they said. :)
I don't think that your acknowledgement of life's burdens means that you see life as a burden. You're a realist, and you do what you can to work with and improve your situation, AND the situation of those around you. So, YEAH, what they said.
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