Hi Shorties!
I started becoming über reflective of life probably about a year ago, coinciding with that major life change. I didn’t think it would be such a big deal because I had wanted to a SAHM for a long time, so finally achieving that goal seemed like it would be a no-brainer for me.
But, alas, I found myself really struggling with some identity issues. I had been a working mother since forever, and I had been working full time as a teacher my entire adult life (I know, that isn’t very long since I’m only 34! But still, it is all I had known), so this was a big change and definitely rocked me a bit.
As I tried to navigate and keep myself positive and embracing this new chapter of my life, I started really thinking about my life’s purpose, perspective, positivity, etc. I have found some deeply profound things over the last year that I am excited to share with you.
“Does this really matter?” (Mitch Albom)
I’ve been talking quite a bit about how I love the conversations Oprah is having in her Super Soul Podcast. It’s just so important. In the first of two references to one of her podcast interviews, I bring you some words from the author of Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Albom. She interviewed him about the 25th anniversary of the book’s first publishing, and Mitch explained how the experience he wrote about in Tuesdays with Morrie changed his life for the better, and he stressed this little question: Does this really matter? Use this question to prioritize what is important in life. At the end of it all, will this matter be important to you? This argument, this purchase, this grudge, this endeavor?
“The Greatest Thing You’ll Ever Learn is Just to Love, and Be Loved in Return.” (Eden Ahbez)
This is an old favorite of mine, and it is a central theme or motif in the Baz Luhrmann film, Moulin Rouge. It’s in the song “Nature Boy” recorded by David Bowie, which is featured in the soundtrack. It kind of is the greatest thing you’ll ever learn, isn’t it??
“Just Be Yourself.” (Jack Campbell)
In another favorite episode of Oprah’s podcast, she interviews Jack Campbell of the Chicken Soup For The Soul fame. In this episode, he gives tons of great advice, I think; and he told one story about a Buddhist teacher he was working with who told him that at the end of any meditation practice or self-awareness practice or path of enlightenment, this is the point you will get to at the end of that journey: just to be yourself. Just Be Yourself is everything.
“To realize one’s destiny is a person’s only obligation.” (Paulo Coelho)
This is on the back cover of the 25th anniversary edition of The Alchemist, a new favorite book of mine. I have a book review coming on my blog that you can check out, but this is a central theme of the book. And a destiny really has to do with your potential, and the choice to realize your potential, as opposed to fate that you don’t have control over. Kind of interesting when you think about it.
“If you want to know the value of life, just know that it is a brief happening” (Sadhguru)
I found this beaut in a 4 minute interview on my Insight Timer app (love this meditation app! It is quality, and it’s free!). The title of the interview is, “Do This One Thing To Live More Blissfully.” I mean, with a title like that on a 4 minute audio clip, I had to listen, and I’ve listened several times since. You woke up today, it is a miracle! Many people around the world did not wake up. If you want to get the most out of life, be aware of your mortality every day. Not in a depressing way, but if you are aware that life is a brief happening, and if you know you will not live forever, that you will die (again, just in a realistic sort of way), this will influence your choices throughout your day, really leading back to the first quotation on my list, “Does this really matter?”
Do you have any quotes to share? Please leave them in the comments below! These little nuggets can be so helpful to keep yourself where you really want to be- and deserve to be- in life!
Me. On a bed of nails. They didn’t hurt, just like I was promised.