I got on Pinterest today for the first time in forever.
Every time I get on after being away from it for along time, I go crazy pinning things.
Sorry friends.
Also, I adore the picture above..
Maybe because it removes the standard we allow other people to set for us.
For example..
If I had a penny for every picture I see on Pintrest that has a beautiful girl in a thrifted dress and vintage suitcase looking off into the horizon, with a caption that says something about how our young years should be spent "traveling the world" in order to "live life to the fullest" or "discover who we are".
I'd be pretty rich.
I see pictures and captions like this all the time.
It's as if you haven't unless lived you've seen everything there is to see.
I mean how many different places do you have to go in order for it to count as traveling "the world"?
Do I love to travel?
Yes.
Have I dreamed of going scuba diving in New Zealand, or enjoying the beauty of Ireland or Scotland?
Have I wondered what it would be like to explore the jungle in Africa and feel the excitement of learning from a culture so different from my own?
You bet ya.
But I'm not about to tell you that your life isn't complete until you've done this.
I'm not going to tell you that you haven't lived until you've had a summer fling, learned 3 new languages, been to the top of the Eiffel tower, and gotten lost in the streets of Italy.
I am not saying these things would not make someone extremely happy.
I'm just saying it's not the only way to happiness..
It's not the only way to "live life to the fullest".
If you get the opportunities to do these things, that is AWESOME!
I hope to be able to some day too (minus the summer fling haha).
But right now, I'm content with sitting in my apt under a cozy blanket, listening to the wind blow and seeing the leaves on the tree outside my window start to change color.
I'm actually enjoying studying for my philosophy and exercise classes, feeling the excitement of knowing the weekend is only a day away.
I love the smell of the chicken dinner I've got cooking in the crock pot, and being in the same room as Jon, even if he is entranced in his textbook.
I smile when he randomly stops reading and asks things like, "Have you ever heard of the movie 'Cloudy with a chance of meatballs'?
Leaving me to wonder how he even reached that point in his thought process while studying for genetics.
I feel at home when I look around my apartment and see framed pictures of my son and my husband on the walls, reminding me what really matters.
I love knowing that tomorrow is Friday, and I will be done with work, my internship, and classes all by 3:00.
And then I get to spend the evening with my love.
It makes me happy to know this will be another great weekend, filled with decorating for fall, seeing good friends, date night, making a new dessert, and sleeping in.
I have goals I'm working towards.
This is the busiest semester I've ever had..
Yet the thrill of knowing i'm excelling far out weighs the stress that comes along with it.
And the best part?
This is my unique way of feeling fulfilled.
At this point in my life, I am content and I am happy.
Another person may not feel fulfilled if they were in my shoes..
And I probably wouldn't in theres.
But I guess that's the beauty of it all.
