Intentional Living

The more I live in an information saturated world, the more I long for the simpler, quieter days of yesteryear.  Yes, information is empowering, and the importance to know the truth is life-saving, but it can be quite overwhelming.  The world seems to be spinning faster, and all forms of media and social media seem to be telling me what I should be doing.

I feel as though the world around me is scrambling.  Scrambling, like a mischief of mice, for this, that, and everything else.  What ever happened to just living in the moment?  Living for today?  I'm not talking about being ignorant in the ways of financial savings, or being devoid of work or personal goals. 

Does anyone ever have a casual conversation?  One that is non-political or judgmental of any....thing, person, political group, religion, or lifestyle? 

Is anyone doing anything that 'everyone' else is not doing?  I find myself attracted to the mundane - diy (do-it-yourself) projects, cooking recipes, my new interests in homemaking skills such as sewing and knitting.  I want the days of old where the most shocking revelation of my day is that the price of bread has gone up (again).  I want to drink tea out of my vintage teacup and listen to the excited chatter of the birds outside.

I want the satisfying feeling of knowing that we have all that we need and enjoy the humble lifestyle we have been blessed with without society trying to convince me that my car isn't fancy enough, my complexion isn't youthful enough, my house isn't big enough, and we need to spend our hard earned money on a vacation that "everyone" else is taking.

I want to remember what it's like to not be able to watch television after midnight.  To have to go to the store or run errands without anyone being able to call me on my cell phone.  To have to use a paper map to find an unfamiliar location.  To feel accomplished and grateful for my clean clothes that are dried by the warm sun and a gentle breeze.  To be thankful for a well-stocked pantry that gives me a good meal, even though it may not rival one from Olive Garden or a fancy restaurant.

I want things to go a bit slower.  I want everyone to take a deep breath.  I want everyone to be kind - not because it's trendy or because a quote from Pinterest tells us to.  I want manners to come back into fashion.  I want parents to not only teach manners to their children, but to model it for them, as well.

Thankfulness, gratefulness, and kindness.  All can be possessed, but unless exercised, all can be lost.  They may not be trendy, fashionable, or popular, but all are a necessity, no matter how fast-paced our lives are.  I want to, no I need to, slow my steps, breathe, and mindfully make these things a priority in my life.  Again.

Slowness of a Sunday

I was talking with someone the other day about how Sundays used to be.  There was a time, really not very long ago, where it was unusual for retail stores, liquor stores, or sporting activities were in operation on Sundays.  Time on Sundays was reserved for church and/or family.  It was a day to chill.  Relax. Catch up.  Visit.  Reflect.  Plan.  Rest.  Read.  Commune with others.

We live in an age now where everyone needs a leg up over someone else.  Whether it be in making money, over-scheduling our children's activities, or running around gathering items to make ourselves feel better and keep up with our neighbors and colleagues.  Even in how we spend our time - "What are you doing this weekend?"  Uh, oh - it's going to sound lame when I say, "Nothing"!  We have social media that makes our lives look more exciting and interesting than they really are (except my social media - check it out).  We complain that we need one more day in our week.  No we don't.  We need to take our Sundays back.

Yesterday was a gloomy, rainy Sunday.  I had plenty of chores that needed to be accomplished.  There was housework to do, photographs of stock for the store needed to be taken, end of summer yard work still needs to be done......yet, I chose to do nothing.  Absolutely nothing.  And I loved it.  My husband, who is constantly busy working on something, whether it's actually work or household related, took part of the day to join me in doing nothing.  We just watched TV and talked.  We enjoyed each others company.  It was wonderful.

We need Sundays to stay connected with our families.  We need Sundays to rest from all of the hard work we put into the other six days.  We need Sundays to feed our spirits with prayer, meditation, and activities that bring us joy.  We need Sundays to do what we want, instead of what other people think we should be doing.  We are not in a race.  We don't have competitors.  But, if we don't return to enjoying the slowness of Sundays, we may all end up to be losers.

Taking My Time

I have never been the kind of person that 'rushes'.  I don't perform better under pressure, as a lot of people do.  I cannot multi-task.  My brain does not very easily or very successfully go in three different directions at the same time.  I don't like feeling pressured.  I like to be prompt - on time.  What needs to get done will get done, but I'm not necessarily 'under the gun' to do it.

If I feel like I'm running late, there's a very good chance that a.) an article of clothing will be put on backwards and/or inside out, b.) a crucial item such as car keys will be missing in plain sight and I will become temporarily blind in the frenzy of being on time and not being able to locate such necessary item, or c.) I will become really cranky and snappy.  Nobody, especially me, wants that - again.  Yes, I was out shopping for myself and was really taking much more time than I allowed myself and was in my car in traffic when I realized my shirt was on inside-out and backwards and I had just run several errands since I tried on clothes in the thrift store. Or, when my son was in preschool and I had been engrossed in a magazine while his little sister was napping and I realized that it was time to pick him up and I could not find the car keys.  I looked everywhere.  Mind you, my house is the size of a shoe box.  I looked and looked.  The clock ticked.  Oh, God, I'm late.  Where are they?!  Hard to see now because of the tears.  They're going to think I forgot him.  I'm a horrible mother.  Why did I have to read that stinking magazine?  Relief! Found them! On the back of the toilet. And yes, I was the last mother at the school to collect her child.  Um, no need to get into the crankiness and snappishness of being irritated at being late - I'm sure the hubs and kids have a story or two.

All of that being said, I like to just focus on the task at hand.  If I'm folding laundry, I am all about that basket of clean clothes.  If I'm cooking, I am talking to myself and making sure that I am looking at the right recipe in the cookbook and not mixing up recipes on opposite-facing pages of the cookbook, as I have been known to do (and yes, tears were involved).  And washing dishes.  I do not have a dishwasher.  My dishwasher consists of mine (and my husband's) hands and my handmade dishcloths.  I find it to be very relaxing to wash dishes.  I have a window, that overlooks my perennial garden, directly over my sink.  It's amazing how quickly the task of washing dishes goes by when you can glance outside at flowers, birds, and butterflies.

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And I don't mind waiting.  If I'm standing in line at a store and someone ahead of me in line needs a price check, or is writing out a check, or needs a rain check - yup, I just wait patiently.  If the doctor is running behind and I'm in the waiting room, I will read every magazine I can get my hands on *unless* they are golf related.

Time flies.  The kids grow up so quickly.  Now, the grandkids are growing up so quickly.  I want to enjoy everyday, not just blow through it.  I want to remember the day, not have it be a blur that I just 'got through'.  I think that's how memories are made.  I know that with my husband and kids, it's not necessarily the things we did or places we went that made a lasting impression.  The most memorable moments were made when we were just together.  Taking our time.