During this series, I'll be participating in Kate Motaung's Five-Minute Fridays. She issues a one-word prompt to inspire five minutes of writing. These short posts may not be anything spectacular, because the purpose is to write and post, without over thinking (or even that much editing). So we'll let this be what it is, and I'll see what I can do about tying in each prompt into my theme of living contentedly.
START.
How easy it is to wish for something different, to yearn for better days. I'll look back on certain periods in my life and marvel at how beautifully simple they were, and sometimes I wish to go back to those days even if just for a little bit.
Some days I long to be taken care of by someone else, to yield up my boss-of-the-house role for a time. Yesterday was an especially trying day as far as motherhood goes, and I ended up collapsing on the couch feeling both mentally and emotionally battered. It was just so hard. I wanted out.
Yes, I know those moments of wanting out do pass, that ultimately I wouldn't really want to be anywhere else. But sometimes you do. And maybe we would do well to let those moments of discontent ride their course as well as we allow the whole seasons of discontent. I went to sleep last night already feeling exhausted by tomorrow's demands of toddlerhood. But I woke up today, perhaps not feeling as content as I prefer, but feeling better, better enough to face another day.
Sometimes we long for easier times, for happier and simpler moments. And that's okay, as long as we eventually buckle up and face what's given us.
END.
This post is part of a 31-day series on contented living. You can find the other posts here.
Showing posts with label five minute fridays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label five minute fridays. Show all posts
10.17.2014
10.10.2014
FMF: care
During this series, I'll be participating in Kate Motaung's Five-Minute Fridays. She issues a one-word prompt to inspire five minutes of writing. These short posts may not be anything spectacular, because the purpose is to write and post, without over thinking (or even that much editing). So we'll let this be what it is, and I'll see what I can do about tying in each prompt into my theme of living contentedly.
START.
When you settle for something, essentially you're choosing apathy. And as we've discussed earlier this week, contented living is not settling. Contented living is not apathetic. In fact, living contentedly requires you to care immensely about your life, your choices, and your mentality.
Contented living requires us to care so much that sometimes it could seem overwhelming. We have to care enough to choose different thoughts and different actions. We have to care enough to approach our entire lives differently. We have to care enough to find that balance of acceptance and action.
Today I care about how my emotions affect my family, about how my contentedness impacts those around me. I care about emotional accountability, and I care about my attitude. I care about my blessings and my trials. Every moment of contented living is a moment of caring.
END.
This post is part of a 31-day series on contented living. You can find the other posts here.
START.
When you settle for something, essentially you're choosing apathy. And as we've discussed earlier this week, contented living is not settling. Contented living is not apathetic. In fact, living contentedly requires you to care immensely about your life, your choices, and your mentality.
Contented living requires us to care so much that sometimes it could seem overwhelming. We have to care enough to choose different thoughts and different actions. We have to care enough to approach our entire lives differently. We have to care enough to find that balance of acceptance and action.
Today I care about how my emotions affect my family, about how my contentedness impacts those around me. I care about emotional accountability, and I care about my attitude. I care about my blessings and my trials. Every moment of contented living is a moment of caring.
END.
This post is part of a 31-day series on contented living. You can find the other posts here.
10.03.2014
FMF: new
During this series, I'll be participating in Kate Motaung's Five-Minute Fridays. She issues a one-word prompt to inspire five minutes of writing. These short posts may not be anything spectacular, because the purpose is to write and post, without overthinking (or even that much editing). So we'll let this be what it is, and I'll see what I can do about tying in each prompt into my theme of living contentedly.
START.
Contented living is in some ways the opposite of new. Temporally, perhaps contented living is enjoying what you have, without seeking more or bigger or better or, well, new.
But then again--and I'll stress this repeatedly throughout this month--choosing to be content is not settling. It is not passive acceptance of the status quo. And that, dear friends, may be very new to you. Contented living may be a new way to think about our minutes, hours, and days. It may be a new way to slow down and think and savor and live.
Just as the world glorifies being busy, maybe it also praises certain forms of discontent. (And later on this month I do plan on examining what productive discontent looks like, because discontent itself isn't inherently bad.) How many acquaintances and friends do we talk to who say outright, "Yes, I'm happy with where I am right here and right now. Right now things are good." Not too many. We say things like, "It's good, but."
That mentality is not new--it's everywhere. So today, in the spirit of contented living, let's revolutionize our spheres of influence and give ourselves--and those around us--the permission to simply be content, if only a little while.
END.
This post is part of a 31-day series on contented living. You can find the other posts here.
START.
Contented living is in some ways the opposite of new. Temporally, perhaps contented living is enjoying what you have, without seeking more or bigger or better or, well, new.
But then again--and I'll stress this repeatedly throughout this month--choosing to be content is not settling. It is not passive acceptance of the status quo. And that, dear friends, may be very new to you. Contented living may be a new way to think about our minutes, hours, and days. It may be a new way to slow down and think and savor and live.
Just as the world glorifies being busy, maybe it also praises certain forms of discontent. (And later on this month I do plan on examining what productive discontent looks like, because discontent itself isn't inherently bad.) How many acquaintances and friends do we talk to who say outright, "Yes, I'm happy with where I am right here and right now. Right now things are good." Not too many. We say things like, "It's good, but."
That mentality is not new--it's everywhere. So today, in the spirit of contented living, let's revolutionize our spheres of influence and give ourselves--and those around us--the permission to simply be content, if only a little while.
END.
This post is part of a 31-day series on contented living. You can find the other posts here.
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