Remember that scene in You've Got Mail when Meg Ryan's character Kathleen talks about how she questions living a "small life"? She calls it "valuable, but small". She wonders if it's because she likes it or if she simply hasn't been brave.
I love that scene in the movie because I've asked myself that same question before. Society has a way of making us feel that if we are living small then we aren't really living. We are constantly being told that we have to win the race, when some of us just want to take the slow lane.
I'm happy with life in the slow lane ♥
It's not to say that I don't have dreams. I would love to sail on a slow boat to Europe one day. I dream of seeing London and Paris and all the places that I've read about in books. I would love to have tea at Harrods on a rainy day. I dream of what it's like to see the English countryside in the spring with all it's beautiful gardens. I dream of seeing the lights of Paris atop the Eiffel tower and walking the same halls as Marie Antoinette at Versailles. To some these may seem cliché, but they are my dreams and I hold them close to my heart.
I dream about a house on an ocean somewhere and watching the sunrise and set over the horizon.
I dream of the future.
♥
But in real life I'm living my dreams in my (not-so) small life. There is nothing that could ever compare with being a mom to my son. His happiness is my happiness. ♥ Watching him grow from a baby to an eight (almost 9!) year old boy in the blink of an eye is the most amazing thing.
He's smart and funny and every day I feel LUCKY to be his mom!
Having coffee with my hubby and watching TV on the couch. It's small but oh, so nice. Eighteen years later and it's just as cozy as it was on day one. ♥
These are the things that make me happy.
I'm grateful for my family and friends, and my health. I ran into a former neighbor at the store today who made a point to tell me "live your life". She lost her husband at 61 and in hindsight is very grateful for the things they did when they were young. You just never know what the future will hold. I took that as a sign. Be happy with your life the way you like it and do what you love to do.
I'm not saying a small life if good for everyone, just for me. I encourage you all to dream big.
My advice is do what it right for you, not what you think you should do.
I love to read books about history, drink coffee with whip cream, watch old movies, and play Match Game with my family. So that's what I do. ♥
If the slow lane feels right, then by all means please join me in the slow lane.
Life is good ♥
I struggled with this for many of my younger years. Pressure from my parents and teachers led me to believe I was supposed to do "great things." Not course, great, is a relative, flexible, and personal adjective. When I decided to live the "small" life I wanted, that God put upon my heart, I was chastised by those close to me for a few years. Until, of course, they too realized it was my calling.
ReplyDeleteWe are all made up of different stuff.
Make your life beautifully yours, and happiness and contentment will surely follow.
I thoroughly enjoy your take on life, Danielle!
Xoxo Caroline (wheretheheartis)
Thank you so much Caroline! I completely understand this and I couldn't have said it better myself. We are only truly happy if we make life (as you so perfectly put it) "beautifully yours". ♥♥♥
DeleteOh my what an amazing post! Same feelings here!! I too dream of the Eiffel Tower, I dream of drinking wine in Italy, visiting Ireland where my husband is from and many more! I just turned 30 and literally took my whole adulthood to realize what WE want and who we are as a family. God has a purpose for us and I'm living the beginning of it! Our lifestyle is also enabling our two girls to experience life and figure out who they are while we nurture, prepare and support them... Your post is so inspiring and absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOh my what an amazing post! Same feelings here!! I too dream of the Eiffel Tower, I dream of drinking wine in Italy, visiting Ireland where my husband is from and many more! I just turned 30 and literally took my whole adulthood to realize what WE want and who we are as a family. God has a purpose for us and I'm living the beginning of it! Our lifestyle is also enabling our two girls to experience life and figure out who they are while we nurture, prepare and support them... Your post is so inspiring and absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Elizabeth! That means so much to me! We all have hopes and dreams but are only truly happy if we are living the life we want to live. Once we realize that we are much happier people. I love your blog and think you live such a lovely beautiful life! I'm so glad the internet and blogs allow us to share parts of ourselves with kindred spirits ♥♥♥
DeleteThis is just brilliant!!! And I love how you say the slow lane is not for everyone. So true!!! But Fast Lane folks rule the world, and set the precedent...They need to be reeducated about the contributions introverts and slow living people make. I am doing this in my classroom which is actually quite a true slice of life... I do feel that many modern illnesses are caused by forcing slow lane people into the fast lane to make a living...Are you going to get the book "Quiet" Danielle? It is so empowering and authenticate. Thank you for this beautiful post!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Shireen! I was thinking of your post about introverts and I would love to read Quiet. It's on my summer wish list! I think what you are doing in your classroom is wonderful. We are all made up made up differently and that's what make each person special. Children especially need to recognize that that's okay. I can't wait to hear more about it ♥♥♥
Deleteabsolutely right. It's good to have dreams, but it really is the small things that turn out to be the big things in life.
ReplyDeleteAnd if other people don't like or respect how anyone else lives their life, then the problem lies with THEM! :O) x
Amen Sadie! Thank you so much for commenting! It's so true. We are the ones who are responsible for our own happiness. Once we realize that we are much happier people and no one can take that away from us ♥♥♥
DeleteOh Danielle I get it! I feel the same way. and I Love your movie choice it's mine and hubbys fave (he calls me shop girl)I am new to your blog came over from Billie Jo Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteHi Row! Thank you so much for commenting! It's nice to meet you! (I love Billie Jo's blog :) I think it's so sweet your husband calls you shopgirl! You've Got Mail is one of my favorites! While I'm living my "small but valuable" life I like to think I have that movie soundtrack following me around ♥ It's nice to know I'm not alone and that I have found kindred spirits who have felt the same way : )
ReplyDeleteYour happiness also is our happiness.
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