Restless

 

 This past week or so I've been pretty restless. The summer is here and I don't want to waste a second of it. This constant need to "do" has given me slight anxiety - there won't be enough time! Which, of course is nonsense, but we all know I'm irrational at times. So last weekend we took a trip to the beach. We all tumbled out of bed early in the morning and piled in John's car for a trip to the island. Our time spent there was a nice mixture of relaxation and splashing in the waves, throwing a ball around, (I looked for shells). Driving back home I experienced one of those rare moments where happiness just washes over you. Again, we were piled in John's car with the windows down, music up, and we smelled sweet - like salt, sweat, and freedom and our bodies were sunkissed and sandy. As we got farther and farther away from the ocean just confirmed the fact that I need to live near a body of water.

Then last night John suggested that we camp out in the yard. It was the perfect weather for it and the perfect antidote for my restless mood. I needed to be outside, to not feel the confines of the walls around me. Unfortunately, I started the night off a little bratty. I was tired, moody, and my brother, (who slept in the tent with us, John insisted we couldn't leave him out and he was right) was doing what brothers do. But at one point before we all went to sleep, I was looking out the window of the tent and saw a shooting star. And all night, the wind in the trees made this comforting sound, like waves crashing on the beach. And this morning, we were up with the sun. Another wave of happiness hit me. This is summer.

My Adventure board on pinterest

Presents

Yesterday was John's birthday and for the first time in my life, I feel like I got the right present for someone. Normally, I'm not a stellar gift-giver. I put too much pressure on it, can never think of the "perfect" gift, and get jammed up. I end up gifting something that is somewhat thoughtful or somewhat of a joke.

After my birthday back in January, when John got me a perfect gift, the pressure was on. His gift was not only thoughtful, it was totally "me," and it was beautiful, (they say you can never go wrong with jewelry, but you most certainly can - jewelery can come off as impersonal if you don't truly know the person. John did not go wrong in the least).

So what to get my adventurous boyfriend? Certainly the typical "guy" gifts were out - no watches, cologne, or tech stuff here. Books were out - though we both love them, shelves are getting full - plus, those are gifts we give each other "just because."

Long story short, I was very happy with what I came up with, and more importantly, so was he. There's nothing better than seeing someone genuinely enjoy a gift you give them.

Tonight is "Birthday: Phase 2." Pistachio cake. Wish me luck in baking!

Weekend love

As I sit here avoiding work and the gym on this dreary Monday, I can't help but wish that I could live this past Saturday all over again. The weather was perfect: sunny, breezy, warm, but not humid. After a relaxing morning of reading and drinking coffee on the back porch, I went to John's with a purpose: activities. We bought a kite from the dollar store, went to the park with some fruit and a blanket, and had a great summer day. The inexpensive Justice League kite provided entertainment, and the sail boats on the river the perfect backdrop (I really have never taken advantage of living here. Also note to self: if ever in the position where I need to spend a lot of money in a short amount of time - ha! - buy a sail boat). Then of course we had to go exploring. We finished the day with dinner on a rooftop overlooking the river. The whole day encapsulated what I love most about summer.

Sunday ended the weekend on a relaxing note with a BBQ to celebrate Father's Day.

Life

I want a life with someone who doesn’t mind that our dinnerware doesn’t match. Who shares a home with me, which reflects the life we have built together. Our experiences and adventures culminate in comforting home décor, photographs, and our books fight for self space. We live in a home that encourages ice cream eating, coffee drinking, late night ramblings, and lazy Sundays; that doesn’t mind a little sand on the floor after a day at the beach. A home where we’re not afraid to play the music a little too loud, the humility to laugh at ourselves, the courage to cry when we fight, and the passion to make up all night. Where flowers end up on the dinner table after a long day, or muffins for breakfast at the start of a new one. A life that’s committed even though it’s not always easy. Where days filled with small, thoughtful acts that remind one another of why we fell in love in the first place, turn into years of partnership.

Wow, this makes sense

I actually attack the concept of happiness. I don’t mind people being happy - but the idea that everything we do is part of the pursuit of happiness seems to me a really dangerous idea and has led to a contemporary disease in Western society, which is fear of sadness. It’s a really odd thing that we’re now seeing people saying “write down 3 things that made you happy today before you go to sleep”, and “cheer up” and “happiness is our birthright” and so on. We’re kind of teaching our kids that happiness is the default position - it’s rubbish. Wholeness is what we ought to be striving for and part of that is sadness, disappointment, frustration, failure; all of those things which make us who we are. Happiness and victory and fulfillment are nice little things that also happen to us, but they don’t teach us much. Everyone says we grow through pain and then as soon as they experience pain they say “Quick! Move on! Cheer up!” I’d like just for a year to have a moratorium on the word “happiness” and to replace it with the word “wholeness”. Ask yourself “is this contributing to my wholeness?” and if you’re having a bad day, it is.

- Hugh Mackay

"Expert" Advice

I think it's safe to say that many of us are looking for the "secret to life," to figure out what will "make us happy." I've come to the conclusion that in order to do anything relatively close to "figuring it all out" you've got to really know and accept who you are. Easier said than done. This article in the NY Times, about Cornell University's "Legacy Project," focuses on what the wisest people in America have to say about living a healthy, happy life, with no regrets.

via hemingwaycool