Life Is What You Make Of It!

Life doesn't have to be a big blah, you know! Simple statement, I know, but it is so true! It is also one of the hardest lessons in life to come to terms with. How easy it is to just go about your days, weeks, months, and years, without truly enjoying each moment that you have. This is not to say that life won't have rough moments, boring days, lonely evenings, or even regulary patterned routines. Believe you me, it will. And I must add that those regulary patterned, routine-infused days are greatly needed. With them come a sense of security and normalcy that each individual needs. These are the days that you long for, the evenings you crave after, and the weekends you relish in. I do so love a quiet, scheduled, life..........................................

However, on occasion it is nice to have something different to do. Something crazy. Something that will make a memory. It doesn't have to be a major event or happenstance! Just something that you will remember. Something you can go back to--fall back on when there is nothing else to do! It can be something you already love doing, or something totally off the wall that you have never experienced before. It can be a mindset for the day, a new book, a game, a walk in the park, an activity with a friend.

These things I am learning to do, to create, to make for myself. And I have even found that some things that I never saw myself doing are actually enjoyable to me! For instance, I cannot tell you how long it has been since I have been putt-putt golfing or bowling. But just the other week, I did both of these things. And it wasn't just regular putt-putt. This was a glow-in-the-dark joint! So much fun! My friend and I even got a glow in the dark bracelet! Then there was the July 4th afternoon when I went bowling. Pretty sure I haven't done that since highschool! My friend and I played 3 games. I even got a score of 101 during one set. I know, I know! I'm obviously not that good. But for someone who hasn't bowled in ages, and never got above a 60, I would say I was doing pretty good.

I have also come to enjoy a good book! Currently, I am reading Sparks, The Wedding. I am not one to cry over a movie or a sad story. But this book has me completely feeling for the characters involved. I'll let you know how it ends up!

I am learning that great principle of "He who wants friends, must show himself friendly!" I absolutely love calling my friends and asking to come over and cook for them. They are so busy that they don't always have time to do it for themselves. And I love to cook! :) So it always works out that we all pitch in, cook up a nice meal, and end up spending the evening in intense conversation.

Here recently, one of my favorite pass times has become sitting down and zoning with a nice cup of tea. Actually, my definition of "zoning" is intense thoughts concerning things not work related! And I do so love my teas! Real, authentic, healthy teas. And tea is something you can do by yourself or with a friend. There is something truly relaxing and comforting in a good cup of hot, loose-leaf tea.

I guess I have said all of this to say this. Just within the last few weeks, I have begun an attempt at changing my perspective on life. For someone who is very dramatic, shy, pessimistic, and sometimes a bit melancholy, it is an act of the will to see the up side of life. And yet, I am beginning to believe that it really can be enjoyable......if you let it. Life is what you make of it. True, it is a roller coaster......with just as many downs as ups. Yet, instead of looking at the downs, does it not make sense to view them in light of the ups. And does it not make sense to enjoy each moment of your ups! Planning for the future, yet living in the moment is easy to talk about. Hard to do. It is a moment by moment task. Yet, I find that during the times that I do just that, I actually enjoy life. And it becomes easier to comfort yourself during the downs.

I am not a "master your own fate" kind of a person. However, if you don't try....if you don't take the initiative yourself and step out......if you never do those stupid things.........you will never know what fully exists in life, and you may not know what your life can exist of.

I am not an authority on this subject.......but I am trying to learn this life lesson. If I could pass little bits of experience-acquired wisdom, it would be this: Life Is What You Make Of It! So make something of it. Just try!