Planning Life
Dear Aspen reader,
It’s so simple to fall into the routines of daily living that you forget to enjoy the life that you’ve made. I find that I’m always about the “next thing” and justify it by calling myself a dreamer, a planner or an optimist who is looking ahead to the future. But is that really the case? Could it possibly be that, in that forward thinking, I’m distracted with looking onward and missing the life that I’m currently living?
As a military spouse it’s quite easy to fall into the trap of “what’s next”. When you find that you’re in a cycle of completely uprooting your family (I’m talking about a new home, job, school, grocery store, hair dresser, fitness center, church, and friends - the whole shebang) every 2-3 years - sometimes less- it really becomes second nature to remain focused on the routines of transition. One of the best pieces of advice that I was given before jumping into this army lifestyle was from my sister in-law, another fellow military wife. She said “Try to be happy with where you are currently stationed. It’s so easy to look ahead and think…..’when we get to (such and such) place’ or ‘remember when we were stationed at XYZ’ - because honestly, this will only breed discontentment.'‘ So, I try. I keep that at the forefront of my mind knowing that each step in the journey of life is so temporary. I try to embrace newness instead of letting it overwhelm. I explore new opportunities and even if they don’t turn out to be as satisfying as I anticipate, I make every attempt to adapt as quickly as I can so I don’t miss out on enjoying precious moments of the season we are in.
Maybe your struggle is that you’re spread so thin between your profession, keeping a home, raising children, finishing a degree or helping to care for your grandchildren that it’s hard to slow down and take it all in. Do you ever think to yourself “someday when _________ then I’ll relax and really enjoy life. I just need to get through this season.”?
Yes, some seasons are difficult. Some of them require more diligence and attention to the ins and outs of raising children or exerting your efforts at your job or in completing a degree. But, I want to encourage you to find one small piece of each day that brings you joy and helps you slow down to enjoy the life you’ve been given. The days pass quickly and then are gone. What can you embrace TODAY so that you are able to fully enjoy the life you have?
Could it be:
A smile given or received with the grocery store clerk.
A moment in which your child willingly cleans up his/her toys.
An encouraging comment from a friend who lets you know she cares.
A warm cup of coffee and a (healthy) baked good.
Time spent with out of town family that you’ve not seen in awhile.
Realizing that you have your health and vitality.
Taking in the beauty of the great outdoors- whether that’s sunshine, snow, mountains or ocean.
Your child playing freely, with no inhibitions, at the playground.
Or even something else.
Spend your moments in gratitude, being thankful for life - even if it’s not what you had hoped or expected. The truth is that there is always something good to behold if you slow down long enough and open your eyes to what is happening around you.
In health,
Alecia