"Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think
The years go by, as quickly as a wink
Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself, it's later than you think."
-Herbert Magidson and Carl Sigman
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A very sweet friend suggested this week's topic. She, actually, gave me the idea over a month ago but I have had the hardest time narrowing it down.
She said she'd been thinking about those things we "save for later", for a "special occasion", or for when "company" comes over; those nice pajamas, the good towels, the special box of chocolates or bottle of truffle oil, the 'good china', the 'company crystal', nice lotions... She remembered her mom keeping sheets over their couches to prevent damage, and leaving the plastic on the lampshades to keep the dust off. We've all known people with living rooms that may as well have had a velvet rope in front of them. The kids weren't allowed in because Mom wanted to keep it 'nice'. But, nice for who? There are people who save their wedding china...'til after they are no longer married.
It all begs the question: when do we get to that "special occasion"? When do we start enjoying ourselves?
Alexandra Stoddard's book "Living a Beautiful Life" talks about our focus in life. She worked as an interior designer and noticed people spend 90% of their money on their living room and dining room. They didn't want her to touch the 'family' areas of the home. She thinks it's the reverse of what we should do. Ninety percent of our lives happen in our kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms. What's more important than making our daily routines pleasant? Who is more important than those people we share our daily lives with?
Her book made a huge impression on me; made me think about making every day special. I remember neighbors gently nagging when we first moved in that we'd paid a lot more attention to our back yard than the front. The back yard was a little oasis and the front yard was just getting mowed. I took this as a huge compliment.
Truthfully, even before reading that book and finding out why it's a good idea, "saving for later" has never been my strength. Maybe she let me justify my impatient nature. I can't keep sweets in the house. I end up eating candy for breakfast, lunch, and dinner until it's all gone and I feel like crap. When we have a TV series we like, we end up binge-watching until we've seen them all. (Downton Abbey, House of Cards,...)
In a way, I admire people who have those jars filled with candy that has, literally, gotten dusty. Well, sort of admire them...while, simultaneously, viewing them as freaks of nature. But why have something around that you don't love and enjoy?
I remember marveling at a friend's closet. There were all these new clothes hanging there...with the tags on. I'm more likely to ask the salesperson to let me wear something out of the store. At the very least, I'll be trying it on again the second I get home. Then I have to show Michael, post a photo of me in the new outfit on facebook, admire it in the mirror...and then wear it every day for a week straight.
I guess defining what qualifies as special to us is our first job. One person's great luxury might leave someone else cold.
My mom recently gave me a set of bubble baths she'd gotten as a gift. She prefers showers, so they meant little to her. Ten days later and most of the bottles were more than half empty; fluffy, fragrant, bubbles make me very happy. What would be the point of saving those bubbles for some 'special day'?
Just being alive is cause enough for celebration.
I think having small things to enjoy and anticipate each day is life itself. Wear that "special" new blouse. Have your favorite meal. Lie down on the couch and listen to your favorite CD from start to finish. Go check out a new restaurant. Take yourself out for a scoop of your favorite ice cream. Buy yourself flowers. Get together with your friends. Go for a walk in the park. Look for some small adventure or treat to enjoy every day.
It all begs the question: when do we get to that "special occasion"? When do we start enjoying ourselves?
Alexandra Stoddard's book "Living a Beautiful Life" talks about our focus in life. She worked as an interior designer and noticed people spend 90% of their money on their living room and dining room. They didn't want her to touch the 'family' areas of the home. She thinks it's the reverse of what we should do. Ninety percent of our lives happen in our kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms. What's more important than making our daily routines pleasant? Who is more important than those people we share our daily lives with?
Her book made a huge impression on me; made me think about making every day special. I remember neighbors gently nagging when we first moved in that we'd paid a lot more attention to our back yard than the front. The back yard was a little oasis and the front yard was just getting mowed. I took this as a huge compliment.
---
Truthfully, even before reading that book and finding out why it's a good idea, "saving for later" has never been my strength. Maybe she let me justify my impatient nature. I can't keep sweets in the house. I end up eating candy for breakfast, lunch, and dinner until it's all gone and I feel like crap. When we have a TV series we like, we end up binge-watching until we've seen them all. (Downton Abbey, House of Cards,...)
In a way, I admire people who have those jars filled with candy that has, literally, gotten dusty. Well, sort of admire them...while, simultaneously, viewing them as freaks of nature. But why have something around that you don't love and enjoy?
I remember marveling at a friend's closet. There were all these new clothes hanging there...with the tags on. I'm more likely to ask the salesperson to let me wear something out of the store. At the very least, I'll be trying it on again the second I get home. Then I have to show Michael, post a photo of me in the new outfit on facebook, admire it in the mirror...and then wear it every day for a week straight.
---
I guess defining what qualifies as special to us is our first job. One person's great luxury might leave someone else cold.
My mom recently gave me a set of bubble baths she'd gotten as a gift. She prefers showers, so they meant little to her. Ten days later and most of the bottles were more than half empty; fluffy, fragrant, bubbles make me very happy. What would be the point of saving those bubbles for some 'special day'?
Just being alive is cause enough for celebration.
I think having small things to enjoy and anticipate each day is life itself. Wear that "special" new blouse. Have your favorite meal. Lie down on the couch and listen to your favorite CD from start to finish. Go check out a new restaurant. Take yourself out for a scoop of your favorite ice cream. Buy yourself flowers. Get together with your friends. Go for a walk in the park. Look for some small adventure or treat to enjoy every day.
Don't save up for later. Don't wait until you meet the right person, or get the job promotion... Drink your tea from a pretty cup right now. Make yourself a nice dinner. Don't wait for company to enjoy special moments. If you love candlelit dinners with nice music, then a Tuesday night on your own is just as good an opportunity as that big date night. You could even make yourself a place card, if you wanted. Sitting down at the table in front of the card reading "Gorgeous Lady", or "Stud-muffin" might make that delivery pizza seem pretty special. Treat yourself as your very best visitor.
Live life to the fullest right now. Be your true self now. Do the things you know you're called to now. Spend time with people you want to now. Sit on the swing now. Worry less now.
Forget 'someday'. Life is happening now and it's for living - not just getting through - not just surviving. Every day, every hour, every second is precious.
We all know this, but often seem to forget it in the rush of life. By the time we reach middle age we've had a million reminders that we aren't here forever. We get wake up calls every day...but, somehow, that snooze button stays just as appealing as ever.
The thing is - it's not just that there's always a possibility that today could be your last. The real truth is we have to keep living as if there's a 100% guarantee that today is your first. Make it the first day where you are completely, totally, entirely, and unapologetically you.
Don't save up for some later that doesn't come; not your bubble bath, your favorite perfume, lipstick, or earrings, not your energy, not your enthusiasm, not your curiosity. Wear it, say it, do it, use it up. Life is right now, this very second.
Forget 'someday'. Life is happening now and it's for living - not just getting through - not just surviving. Every day, every hour, every second is precious.
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The thing is - it's not just that there's always a possibility that today could be your last. The real truth is we have to keep living as if there's a 100% guarantee that today is your first. Make it the first day where you are completely, totally, entirely, and unapologetically you.
Don't save up for some later that doesn't come; not your bubble bath, your favorite perfume, lipstick, or earrings, not your energy, not your enthusiasm, not your curiosity. Wear it, say it, do it, use it up. Life is right now, this very second.
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She's had that wake up call and knows, for sure, that the time to enjoy life and friends and things and experiences is right this very second.
I hope, she also knows that I love her and think she's amazing.
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"Life ain't no dress rehearsal the camera's always rollin'." -Drake
Thank you my dear sweet Susan. I love you and think you are anazing right back! (typed with tears streaming down my face)
ReplyDeletexoxo
"Anonymous"
Hey - Stop it! No crying! :- )
ReplyDeleteYou know the "Serious Subjects" is really my idea of a joke.
Now get healthy this instant so we can get back to taking life
for granted again!!!!
xoxoxoxoxox
Love this.
ReplyDeleteYay!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rebecca!