Wow, it's been almost a month since my last post...but you know what? That's okay in my book. You see we've been busy doing this thing called life.
While I enjoy seeing all the pretty fall decor posts and pretty table settings all ready for Thanksgiving (hello, it's still a month away...flowers fade and dust collects, but I digress), what I enjoy more is living in the here and now.
Maybe it's because I am getting older
I guess where I am going with this is, in the midst of all the holiday hoopla, social media, dare I mention the election, blogging, Pinterest, the constant need for more, stop and take the time for what is right in front of you...your spouse, your precious little or not so little ones, your parents, your siblings, your friends. THINGS, PAINT COLORS, HOME DECOR and the like will never replace those people you cherish the most.
I challenge you the next time you decide to take on a project, ask yourself if it will truly make a difference or matter in five years. Your answer might surprise you.
25 comments:
I have felt this way for a very long time!!!! I think we need look at what satisfies and fills our hearts and souls rather than what fills our rooms. We have had a rough year of it, too. We lost so many of our precious friends, dealt with Stage 4 cancer, had a divorce in the family, started the huge process of downsizing and see our lives changing before our eyes. In the end, our lives are not our 'things'--life is who we are and those that are most important to us. A great post, my sweet friend. xo Diana
I agree. We need to slow down and savor the simple things in life. Welcome back!!!
I so agree. It is so important to stop and smell the roses. I haven't blogged for almost six months now and am not sure if I will return on a weekly basis. I am enjoying the small things and cherishing every day to the fullest!!!!😊😊😊
I love, love this post!! Thank you so much for sharing! Sometimes I feel very concerned for some bloggers. It seems they are rushing, buying, changing, making and for what? Yes, a beautiful home is lovely and to be enjoyed, preparing a nice meal and/or dessert is comforting but what about "real" life, little ones, family, friends and just being? How much does it really matter in life to have that $2,000 bag, $400 boots and an ever increasing wardrobe? I guess the older one gets, the more this is brought to mind. Also, after losing Abby...it's all just "things" and yes, will it matter or be important in 1 or 5 years?
xoxo
Pat
I agree completely! The little things -- they are the big things. Glad you are enjoying your loved ones. xoxo
Oh, dear Lauren! I needed to hear this so much today!
I do agree. I don't get caught up in all of the crazy hundreds of ads and constantly living on social media. Life does happen and we need to enjoy it. What did we do before blogging? Happy Wednesday and thanks for your visit.
I myself blog to catalog our life - someday I hope my kids will be able to look back at it and remember great times! But I was thinking the other day - just how empty it seems to blog about things like how a table is arranged. I know it is fun for some, and truth be told, cleaning and prettying up the house is fun for me, too. But you're right about being happy about other "little things" that aren't so little at all! I guess it's all about perspective (:
Thanks for the words of wisdom. I haven't posted anything for Thanksgiving yet this year because I just can't "feel it" in October...so thanks for telling me that's ok and probably even the right choice. And it's good to have you back!
XO,
Christy
I agree. Living in the moment isn't always easy, but it puts you in a much happier place. Love this post! xoxo
I came back because I love this post! I have a love-hate relationship with some bloggers for sure. Many are about showing off!!!! I find some are so disingenuous. There are some who do not even comment on my posts. They visit daily but do not even say "hi".... And the ones that are into the chalk paint craze DRIVE me to DRINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ugh!!!!!! For me, blogging is kind of a journal. It is always fun to look back at the good, the bad, the ugly! xoxo
I popped over from Ron's post. Kudos to you for sharing these thoughts. I couldn't agree more! My posts are on my schedule and happen when the spirit moves me. Ha!
I agree that we really have to enjoy the real world a little more. Time does go too fast and it can be so easy to get caught up in the "things" that really don't matter. I know there's so much I "should" be doing as a blogger but many of them are not me so I don't bother. I have always enjoyed being creative and I love reading other blogs as much as I enjoy writing mine. I just try to keep it all in balance. Great post, Lauren!
Shelley
Great post! Ron, from the Uptown Acorn mentioned you in his latest post. I agree whole heartedly that how you choose to spend your time should be what's in your heart. You only get one shot of this life here on earth. Make it what you want. Let everything else fall to the wayside.
Lauren, I love this post! I'm not a blogger, but I try to read the posts on the blogs that I am subscribed to. I don't get to read all of them every day or even respond to them. Life often gets in the way, like you said. Ron did mention you in his latest post, and that was how I came upon this post. Do what you need to do and hang in there. xoxo
Lauren I stopped by to say Hi and thank you for eaving such a genuine comment on my blog and wow! What a great post this is. I absolutely love love love the sentiments you shared here. There's a lot of wisdom here Lauren. I know my own blogging has dropped in half because of some of the same feelings you mention. Also, something changed when we moved into a fixer upper, which ended up being a good thing. Thanks for writing this. I really appreciate your friendship in this always-interesting-blog world,
hugs,
xo
Leslie
How did I miss this? I saw where Ron mentioned it and I had to come read your post. Very well said, my friend. I haven't blogged since 9/1/16 as I'm completely burned out from blogging...it will be 9 years in December! The "state of blogs" is very discouraging....too many sell outs, too much buy, buy, buy, what's going to happen when the gravy train stops? It's a turn off for me. I've mentioned to you in the past the one particular blog that has totally turned me off over the last few years....so many are in the same boat.
I've become active on Instagram and find that much more managable at this stage of my life. I spend a lot of time with my 96 year old mom and I have a home and husband and extended family I love being with as well. I don't want to look back at some point and see all the time I wasted trying to "keep up with the Jones" or impress people I'll never meet.
Thank you for your honestly and friendship Lauren. I truly treasure our friendship.
HI! I popped over from Ron's post. I just had to read your post after reading his! I agree on so many levels. I am getting ready to have knee surgery and have been frantic about how to get enough posts done before then. Yesterday, before I read this, I finally said ENOUGH! The world won't fall apart if I don't post. It didn't before I started blogging and it won't now. Just the idea of throwing a post together, just to have one done, gives me the hives! So not the reason that I started doing this. Thanks for the affirmation.
You have the right outlook on life!....Sometimes I stress that I do not "blog enough" but I am so blessed that my life is filled with family, friends and travels that take up much of my time ... I choose life experiences as for at the end of the day, it is what matters....making memories!
Amen! I have thought the same thing. Sometime I think I don't do enough and sometimes I feel I do too much...wether it's projects around the house or whatever. Sometimes as I obsessively look at oyster shells I think 'get a life, these silk shells are everywhere.' When I do I stop, hug my little boy and do something with him. I save my shells and projects for when he is at school.
Thanks for the reminder!
I came over to read after reading Ron's blog. I love to read his blog. It is open, honest and real. He isn't trying to impress anyone. I have stopped reading blogs that tell me my rooms must be done in a neutral beige farmhouse style. That is so boring for me. I want to read blogs where I see someone's personality. I also have stopped reading blogs that are loaded with ads. It may be making the blogger some money but it is a turn off for me.
I so agree with you. I can't keep up very well anymore with life or with blogging.
Lauren, this was such a great post! I didn't blog for most of last year. I was feeling so uninspired; and a lot of the blogs that I read were beginning to all look alike. Nothing was distinctive or inspired me to read them anymore. I love Instagram now, and hardly ever post to the blog. I love it so much more! I just say a few words and post a pic, taken with my iPhone. No long blog posts to write and no major photo editing.
So true XOXO. Praying for you my sweet blog friend! Nothing matters more than family. All my love, Desiree
Hello there! I came over from Pat at Gypsy Heart and am so glad I did! I think I may know you from Instagram...
I used to post a lot there, but now I concentrate on blogging. : ) Anyway, I could not agree with you more. I actually practice Mindfulness...and am seeing such a difference in my life. : ) Have a cozy weekend!
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