Mom, please explain to me ... for the 97th time ...
Why can't dogs have chocolate again?
February.
Thank you Lord for a new month. A new day. A new start.
Some new glasses. A new couch (finally). And some new chocolate hearts to fill up my new heart-shaped candy dish.
Some new glasses. A new couch (finally). And some new chocolate hearts to fill up my new heart-shaped candy dish.
So what are my plans for February?
Well, other than a kitchen remodel, a bathroom remodel, a basement renovation, and walking Sherm Dog in rain storms and blizzards and heat waves (Kansas weather is insane) ... I'll be working on a little thing called contentment.
Feeling content. Feeling happy. Feeling satisfied. Which is actually pretty easy after consuming nine chocolate hearts from my heart-shaped candy dish.
You know when you read a quote or a paragraph or a book ... and BAM. It was written for you! To you! About you! It wasn't really written about you, but it sure can feel that way sometimes. This past week I have randomly read four different passages (one being a fortune from my fortune cookie- and we all know those are always legit) that all screamed "contentment". And so I screamed back "What are you trying to tell me???". And then Dan checked me into a psych ward.
But really. It's crazy how that happens sometimes.
And so ... I'm taking this little message and running. Or sitting on my ass and feeling content. Whatever floats my boat. The thing here is this: After thinking about contentment for a whopping 42 seconds (I get distracted very easily) I realized that I'm not sure if I have ever truly concentrated on being content.
I was going to be so happy when ... I graduated from college.
I was going to be so happy when ... I graduated from grad school.
I was going to be so happy when ... I got a real live job.
I was going to be so happy when ... Dan finally got around to proposing. You know, after five years. :)
I am going to be so happy when ... we have kids.
I am going to be so happy when ... Dan lets me get another dog. {fat chance}
I am going to be so happy when ... I retire.
Why not be "so very happy" right now? And be content with everything just the way it is. I'm pretty sure this is called living in the moment. And I'm pretty sure I do it. Maybe. Sometimes. But I'd rather do it all of the time.
Anyone else have issues with contentment?
Moving on to the next thing too quickly?
Forgetting to enjoy the journey?
A journey which is hopefully filled with lots of heart-shaped chocolates. Can you tell I've already had three more this morning? It's gonna be a good month.
A journey which is hopefully filled with lots of heart-shaped chocolates. Can you tell I've already had three more this morning? It's gonna be a good month.
First up. You in glasses-- loooove! Secondly, I feel like THIS was written for me, about me! Seriously. I've been dealing with some of this as well. I want a few things to happen so badly this year that I'm missing out on other things. You are such a great writer. And funny. You made my morning.
ReplyDeleteUgh. This is something I deal with as well!! I think it's something you do ... and then forget to do. And then do again, etc. It's a constant thing to keep striving for.
ReplyDeleteOn a different note, please share where you got those jeans?? I've been looking for some like that.
P.S. Sherm's face is priceless. Love that dog.
DeleteGREAT POST:)
ReplyDeleteYour blog is so wonderful and Im following...I hope you follow me also:)
If you want to see a beautiful Swedish home..check out my blog:)
Have a lovely week dear
LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
(sweden)
I always think about this. We spend so much time wishing our lives away and saying everything will be good when this happens, and we need to enjoy life right now!
ReplyDeleteGoodness freaking gracious. You wrote this post to slap me across the face, didn't you? Because I kind of needed it. So thank you. For slapping me. I am struggling SO DANG MUCH with this right now. We are smack dab in the middle of some very rough, uncertain waters right now and finding the grace and peace of contentment is darn right near impossible these days for me. I'm with you, girl. WITH YOU!
ReplyDeleteps? Sherman is the most adorable ever.
I absolutely deal with this issue as well. In fact, I'm trying so hard to be content right now. There's some tough stuff going on right now, so it's hard. I know I should never wish my life away, but I really can't wait until it's all over.
ReplyDeleteTiff!!! Seriously. You wrote this for me. I am totally dealing with this right now. I'm like Kristen up there ... almost wishing my life away (yikes!) because I want a few things to be over. This helps put things in perspective.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post!
Loving those glasses! And this post. Such a good message to keep in mind as we go into the week. :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes I forget to be happy and appreciate what I have right here, right now. I get sad/depressed...I overthink things. I don't let myself enjoy stuff.
ReplyDeleteThen...at the end of the day...I look at Walter and I can't help but smile and I usually say to him "You're so perfect...you make me happy" (yes, I really do say this to my dog).
omgosh this so hits home girl. i think it is so hard sometimes to just sit and appreciate what you have right now. everyone is always focused on the next check off the list... but to remember what we have right here, right now and how awesome things are is really something to pay more focus on. awesome post :)
ReplyDeletei think about being content very often and it lasts a total of 2 minutes. then i'm onto finding the next thing to "make me happy". it's awful!! i too am trying to find the happiness in what just is.
ReplyDelete:)
I love this, great reminder. I think we all kinda do that sometimes. But at the same time, I think having things to look forward to also make us happy. Like for instance, I'm so happy because we are goiiing to go to disney world. Or because of the things God has planned for me in the future. Etc. etc. It makes me happy to have those things ahead of me.
ReplyDeletelove, love, love! And no pun intended since we're talking about hearts. :) But really, this was so great to read on a Monday morning- and so great to know I'm not the only one who has to work on this. A great reminder. Sherman is adorable, you are adorable!
ReplyDeleteP.S. We needs updates on all of these remodels!
DeleteI forsurrreee know exactly what you are talking about. Sometimes I feel like its because I'm such a planner. Once an event/weekend is done I'm on to planning the next vacation or family night etc. I always want to look forward to the next thing instead of just stopping and being content. It's definitely a challenge!
ReplyDeleteI totally have issues with contentment!! And at this point I feel that once I acheive the latest goal I actually will be content after all I have gone through!
ReplyDeleteAre those chocolates filled with caramel?! Yum!
This is a good reminder to have, especially on a Monday! I'm currently trying to appreciate everything in my life right now and not what is missing or what will be / won't be, etc. Life goes by too quickly.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of issues with contentment. It bothers me that I'm never happy enough with what I have. What a great goal to tackle! You can do it!
ReplyDeleteI've told myself the same thing. More like "live in the moment." I tend to get overwhelmed with excitement and anticipation over things in the future. I need to remember the joy in everyday, not just what's ahead.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. This is why I take photos... to try and live in the moment more often. However, sometimes that takes away from the moment. (My cat has a "Get that camera out of my face!" face.) It is HARD to do. We have a million things going on... it is hard to concentrate on living in the moment without feeling a twinge of guilt... "I should be doing this..." "Crap, I forgot to call so-n-so!" It is TOUGH to do. I think you got it right, though. Chocolate (the candy and the lab) helps. Each candy heart, and each sloppy kiss... brings us to the NOW. Cheers to a great February! XOXO
ReplyDeleteI love this! I love this so damn much... bliss is my mission so this gets me amped! I've found that meditation has helped me get closer to contentment and real happy relaxation (I'm doing a post about it on my blog soon... I think a lil' meditation is good for everybody!) It makes me feel really happy to see you embracing happiness. We only live once, so why not be happy all the time? :D
ReplyDelete4 eyes.
ReplyDeleteOk the photo of Sherm and the chocolate. So cute.
ReplyDeleteI am always living in the moment and forget to enjoy the right nows. The older I get the more I try to lean to the contentment. It's still pretty rare though. Congrats on the new fabo glasses and the new couch!
ReplyDeleteSherm's look in that second picture is so adorable.
ReplyDeleteI used to do something similar; I would feel that everything would be perfect after this happened, then this, then this. Our society seems to have the idea that we should always be striving for bigger and better. I don't agree with it.
I am so in this moment right now. Just posted about it myself. The journey...it's something that's not easy to enjoy sometimes.
ReplyDeletei love valentines day simply for the bags of chocolate that allow me to snack on them anytime i want. kip would be in agreement with sherman of why aren't dogs allowed chocolate again? kip is ruled by his hunger
ReplyDeleteLiving in the moment is so hard for people...okay I'll admit, it's hard for me too. I read the book 1,000 Gifts and it totally changes my perspective on being thankful for what we have in the moment! Great post my dear. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this! I used to struggle a lot with this, and from time to time still do. Before I got pregnant I owned my own business and was so involved in hustling to grow it that I never took the time to appreciate things like being voted one of the top personal trainers in my area....it was, 'okay...let's figure out how to use this to grow.'
ReplyDeleteNow that I've put work on the back burner to stay home with the baby I'm really seeing the job in relishing the moment and being happy in the now.
Thank you for such a wonderful post!
I have always had issues with contentment. But lately I have been working on just being happy with where I am and what I am doing. And it's a wonderful feeling when you get there!
ReplyDeleteUmmmm. You nailed it.
ReplyDeleteYou need to write a book. Seriously. I'm always so in love with your posts (even if they are short and sweet) and your writing style.
really loving this post.
ReplyDeletegood luck with your renovations!
contentment is quite the thing to tackle but oh so needed....!
ReplyDeleteI loved this post...and totally felt like it was written for me ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post!! I constantly struggle with trying to live in the moment (and be happy with it)...instead of constantly looking forward to the future. And good luck with your February goals...we are just in the talking stage of home renovations and it's overwhelming! Can't wait to see what you guys do.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true. The time to be happy is now!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post ... I needed to hear those exact same words you shared!
ReplyDeleteLove this post! I'm the same way. I'm such a planner which means I'm always moving on to the next thing before the last thing is even done. I have a hard time living in the moment and although I can say I'm happy, sometimes I have to force myself to stop for a second and really take in all the things that make me happy.
ReplyDeleteGosh I have missed your funny yet serious (amazing!) posts. I could read them all day. Love Sherm's face and you are always adorable.
ReplyDeleteI need to work on being content with the present- I feel like I am always waiting for that 'next step'. Great post! P.S- glad you are back blogging, it was a long month without any pictures of Sherman :)
ReplyDeleteYep, I find it hard to be happy sometimes when we live in a world with such hate and such horrible horrible people. But I digress, not everyone is awful.
ReplyDeleteI'm also very critical of myself and much too hard on myself, which I'm learning to not be and to just be. And let go.
A new month sista, I hope it's better one for the both of us :)
xo
I think some times contentment gets disguised as "settling" for some people. Being content simply means you are fulfilled by what you have and not disappointed by what you don't. This post is the perfect reminder of that! Thanks, Tiff!
ReplyDeleteLove your glasses!!
ReplyDeleteWe sometimes give my boyfriends dogs chocolate but shhh don't tell his step dad!!
Girl, you are singin' my song. I've been working on this for the past few months, and MAN are things better when you change your mindset. Now I'm trying really hard to remind myself that it IS possible to be happy and content even though we live in a shoebox apartment and haven't bought a house yet. Sigh...
ReplyDeleteI too have this problem, but am working towards living in the moment more. And I agree that those chocolates are a great start. Poor Sherman looks so disappointed. Love the glasses BTW :)
ReplyDeleteLiving in the moment is something that comes to me naturally but reflecting on that moment so it sticks with me is something I have to work at. That's why I blog!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Kara
Yep sometimes we forget the present.
ReplyDeletewww.thoughtsofpaps.com
I always try to find beauty and joy in the little things to keep myself content... and i find that staying grateful daily helps too!
ReplyDelete:) Some of those chocolate hearts would certainly help as well! :)
You are so pretty!! And I agree with most people here- this is something I deal with too. You are not alone! :)
ReplyDelete