There are times when I feel the need to “go into my bubble” – a place where I seem to be spending quite a bit of time lately. It is a good place, filled with quiet and self-indulgent activities and lots of hanging out with my favorite men. I tend to withdraw from social situations- online and otherwise. I spend a LOT of time in my head, talking to myself, running different ideas and plans past, attempting to figure out which road to take next on this amazing journey. It is a time where I really settle in to the here and now and find such gratitude for the things I am surrounded with every day. It is a good place.
Time in my bubble also tends to reveal parts of my personality and the ways that my mind works. I find a lot of clarity during my time there. I am realizing as I get older that there are so many things about myself that, while in my youth I felt weren’t positive attributes, am now realizing are true gifts. One example is what I used to consider my “jack of all trades, master of none” trait- something that made me feel like I would never get really good at anything. This is where I should share that I am pretty sure I have ADD and have a difficult time not being interested in pretty much everything under the sun. Thus, this particular trait used to really get me down at times. However, with age comes wisdom and what I have learned is this: I have an insatiable desire to learn about everything. This is a good thing. I love research and I love knowledge. Now, there are times when I wish that I had an easier time staying focused on one thing and could get really good at it, but the older I get the more I embrace the things that are intrinsically part of me and find the good that can come of them.
I have begun walking again first thing in the morning, before my family is up. It is so peaceful with only the sound of the birds and my footsteps on the trail. I remember now what I really loved about running- before my foot turned 80 and developed it’s bunion. I loved the time spent just thinking, almost meditating. It is a great way to begin the day, getting focused on what I want to accomplish and organizing my plans in my head. I also always feel so great when I return home. It doesn’t matter if I am out for 15 minutes or out for two hours- I feel recharged and energetic and really positive. I am really happy that I started again as walking doesn’t seem to bother my foot and I still get the things I need from it.
I have also adopted a new mantra that I have been using these past few weeks – Embrace imperfection. I have read a number of things lately that have inspired me to see the beauty in those imperfections and instead of trying to “correct” them, I am trying to relax and live with them. So the weeds in the gardens are getting away from me- I will get to them when I can. And the outdoor dining area that isn’t exactly how I would like it? It is a great place to share meals and conversation and it has a wonderful albeit very old brick fireplace for evenings when it is cool enough to enjoy a fire while we visit. And the lawns- oh those farmyard lawns. They are uneven and weedy and the moles are putting up a good fight at establishing their place on the farm. But when those babies are mowed and the sun shines on them, it is like a park out there- clover or no clover~ It’s all good people. It may not be magazine quality but it is pretty damn awesome.
In the end what I think I am learning is that it is all perspective. If you choose to find the good, the pretty, the positive, then it is. It is a choice and while there are days when it is difficult to put a positive spin on it, it is possible with practice. We get one trip people and we can either make the very best of it or we can one day look back and wish we had~
I’m choosing happy.
xx
{and if you need some inspiration in finding beauty, visit here or here or definitely here}
A weaver friend of mine shared a great truth with me a long time ago: Only God can make somethignperfect, which is why weavers deliberatley place an imperfection in all their work…makes sense to me <3
Love it- I didn’t know that~
You sound so much like me! I feel like I can be pretty introverted at times, and I was just down on myself last night because I feel like there is so much I like to do – decorate, craft, cook, etc. I was also feeling like I’m not really an expert at just one thing. I feel so much better! Thank you – I will focus on the happy!
It is always nice to know that so many share the same trait!
I definitely choose happy, even in the worst of times there is always a silver lining! Lovely post, Kim. xxoo
thank you for sharing this post, i feel very similar. often
also thank you for introducing to Kelly, wow.
I am just now finishing her book- I love it~ I will bring it for you!
Excellent mantra! Happy is the path to go for sure. Love those photos so pretty.
… I think it gets in everyone’s life time of research and thirst for knowledge, is the maturity I guess … (excuse the bad English) … lovely photos
F.
A lovely worded post Kim and the perfect timing for me as I am deep, deep inside my shell right now. Aside from being a natural introvert, my nesting phases pull me in even deeper. The good thing is that I’m far from an perfectionist so I’m typically able to overlook imperfection pretty easily.
Happiness it is!! Gorgeous photos too my friend.
xo~
T
Thank you for a thought provoking post. It is a daily challenge to be conscious of happiness, to be authentic (I love that word!).
Have you seen the movie The Break-Up? When I’m fretting over the details, I think of the lemon scene, and try to apply the 80/20 rule and let it be.
No but it sounds like I need to see it!
This post rang true for me – for where I am in my life. You put into words so beautifully what I’ve been feeling; from turning inward to the realization that what I once saw as my weakness is most certainly a faithful attribute. As a caretaker of a large farmhouse lawn, let me say, the dandelions are food for the lovely goldfinches and healthy for our chickens, horses and us too. How much sweeter to see the light in all and to accept some days the clouds cover it. Smile, Kimberly, may you walk in gratitude.
I love this Stacy- thank you~
I’m right there with you, Kim, every step of the way, right down to a foot injury this past year! I’m not quite back to my daily walk, but it will happen and I’m so looking forward to it. I love reading about your successes and challenges. They are so similar to mine, easily distracted by anything beautiful. Down on a cloudy day. Up on a sunny day. Thanks for being there with a comforting and inspiring thought so very often!
And thank YOU for providing me a pretty place in which to do so!
Such a beautiful post! I’m a complete introvert, but I’m starting to mind that about myself less. I love my home and family and I’m happy making that the focus. I also get really down on myself for the “creative add” I have, but, like you, am coming to realize – I just love learning…so maybe that is the gift, instead of choosing one thing, to be willing and able to expose yourself to the many beautiful things to do in the world!!
Beautifully said! I strugge with this same problem and it’s a constant battle to just embrace what I have and accept that it will never be “perfect”. I tend to stick close to my type A “firstborn” child syndrome. haha. I LOVE Kelle’s blog, it’s one of my favorites.
Thanks for sharing, I relate a lot to what you have written in this post. Have you read Brene Brown’s “The Gifts of Imperfection?”
No but I follow her on Twitter and love reading her thoughts that she shares- she is a brilliant woman~ I will look into it!
This is such a tough issue for us women. I am such a Type A that I totally suck the life out of myself sometimes. I see my daughter becoming a woman and struggling with the same ideas of needing to be perfect all the time. Where does this come from? Why do we do this to ourselves? Whereas I would be considered an extrovert…I think I become more of an introvert as I get older. I guard my alone time so carefully anymore that I fear I will alienate myself too much once my kids don’t need me all the time (which will be VERY soon). I also don’t settle well…always hungering to travel and create newness…working hard on just being happy with the now. Morning walks help me sooooo much. I hope they do the same for you!
Well I know I have never met you sweet lady but you have it all right…What a beautiful post….So glad to have such inspirational ladies in my life even if they are across the pond…. xoxo
Great post! Thank you
This has been my mantra this year ~ some days it is hard to pull the happy out but it is so worth it when you do. Nice to see your inspiration links as you know you are an inspiration to me. xo