Creating the Good life

"Creating the Good Life"

This phrase popped out at me this morning while reading a few of my favorite blogs.

For some reason - it has stuck with me - and rolled around in my head all day - simply because I am saying to myself , is that how easy it is? Just create it myself?

How much of the capacity we have to enjoy and find pleasure in our loves is based on what happens to us and how much is based on what we take it in and how we respond to it?
Explains how people who should seemingly be "wallowing in self pity" - the less fortunate and down trodden - are often the most joyful, faithful and happy folks. Is it that they are willing to accept and make the best of what they are given? Sometimes I think those of us, which happens to be the majority of the modern US, that have been blessed so much on a daily basis beyond the basic necessities of life, that we start to feel entitled to these blessings, and begin the delusion that life "should" be easy, and begin to wonder why God is "picking on us" so to speak by creating upheaval and challenges in our well organized little worlds. For many there is such a long way to fall to true despair and heartache. Life is challenging. Period. No mincing words. Every day that I get up, I make a choice. Do I chose to perseverate on what is "wrong"? - and in wrong I mean, just not as I want it right now, not necessarily what is truly "wrong" in my world. Or do I get up, face it all head on with a smile, and remember all the other things that are blessing me at the moment. In our pursuit of the "consummate happy life", I think as humans we forget to simply stop and live now, with what we are given in the best way we know how. In that, I think we can create a good life.

Now - do I mean that this should mean that we should all simply settle for what is going on in our worlds and have no desire to change or grow in it? Nope. Not at all. I simply mean that we need to find a way to be happy with what we have been given, while learning, growing, and taking on new challenges that will improve ourselves and lives in a positive way. Some people do not have the means at the present time to improve themselves or their situation. So is the answer simply sitting back, throwing up your hands and pitying yourself? I don't think so. I think we are not truly given more until God is satisfied that we have learned how to live happily with what we are given.

I used to be very restless as a young mother, because I was constantly fed this ideal that I should want more out of my life than simply living to love my children, take care of my home and enjoy the every day. What was wrong with me for not wanting to run the world or my own company?? I was perfectly happy working only enough to pay the bills, and possess the things we simply needed in life. I was supposed to want more wasn't I? Because of the way I was looking at my life, and allowing other influences to change my views, I had lost my joy. When I finally realized that this WAS my Sweet Spot , even if it wasn't the spot that I thought I was supposed to want, I found myself so much happier. Don't get me wrong, I love and enjoy my outside job as well, but have no desire to do any more than I do. God has blessed me with a job that I am well suited for and find great pleasure in, but that does not replace the fact that I am happier, more at peace and content in my own home surrounded by the people and things that I love. But until I allowed myself to believe that it was ok, I was missing out on it.

Sure my dream car may be a '68 Mustang convertable in Cherry red that I dream of driving fast with the top down, feeling the wind whistle in my ears while I take in the California beach scenery. Will I ever experience that? Maybe, maybe not. So what do I do in the meantime? Kick the tires of my Ford and grumble every time I get in? Nope. I roll down the windows, play the music loud and sing along making the time I spend in the car as pleasurable as possible.

So I guess I answer my own question. Yes, I think we can create the good life out of what ever we are given. It is just in the way you look at it.