As always thank you for the insights, experiences and challenges you have faced and are facing. Sounds a lot like “living life”.
Looking back on my 5+ decades I would say I had loose directions and rolled with the changes that were encountered. We bounced around the US for a few years chasing opportunities and yearning for a family, then family all arrived at once, and we navigated that- with untold trials and unexpected turns, but kept the focus on being a family. Jobs come and go, houses come and go, even friends often come and go. But learning what I can control (very little) what I can influence (a little more) and what I get to participate in and observe (most of the time) has been huge. And confusing any of those aspects is where the greatest frustration and pain come from.
Daily I encounter opportunities for all three and in days I choose well, I generally have excellent days. But I can sure create hardship and pain when I confuse my role. That has been hardest lesson for sure, and still is. My hope is to do better daily, monthly and yearly in this and be less demanding on anyone in my sphere.
Enough of me. Your adventure sounds almost perfect. A blend of challenges- big and small- and the required changes to not only survive them, but to learn to thrive. Lee up the good efforts and enjoy the daily blessings!!!
I think the hardest thing for me is to feel like such an observer. It feels so passive. Embracing this is always a challenge, but I do know the beauty of doing so. I just read this great quote about happiness that seems to line up:
"Happiness is the state you enter when you no longer want to change your state."
I think that's the lifelong goal - is to be able to experience acceptance and peace in more moments than not.
Thank you for answering our questions so thoughtfully.
I have for a while known that I wanted to have a life that impacted others, but that is easier said than done! ;) There's always a tension between my ideal and the day to day reality that's financially, mentally, emotionally etc difficult. But think the older I get the more I realize that my original sense about life was right - that the best life lived is one that isn't just lived to fulfill my goals/dreams/desires but one that allows me to share my life with others and to know God and His truth. I feel like having an overarching purpose is helpful, but the hard part is trying to figure out the details. That's where trust has to come in since we only have so much we have control over. Having a larger purpose in life than just living for me is helpful when the inevitable disappointments come in too. And I liked this post! I read, didn't listen though :) Keep up the good work!
Thank you for the thoughtful response! I'd expect nothing less from you.
And I love what you said, to have trust that the details shake out. I'd add that, at some point, some of those details lose their weight over time. We'll look back on our lives and have a more general sense of things, I think. Plus, getting old means your memory gets fuzzy. And that's kind of a good thing lol.
Another great commentary on your adventure. Few people take the chance to seek out what is different and possibly better for them. Enjoy... My iPhone chose not to support the pictures of the new apartment. Hope it is a good move! Merry Christmas.
When I realized that the meaning of life is to love - love God and love one another - then the life we started to live started taking shape. I have not always wanted to love, so the life I wanted was not necessarily to love. But to get my needs met. It’s easier to expect to receive love instead of the focus to love. It’s easier to want to just love myself and my wants and needs rather than focus on others. That does not mean I’m a people pleaser, because often that is not loving others.
Learning to renew your patience is key. Just last night I had to calm myself and renew my patience when at first I thought it would just be so much easier if… where ever I am renewing patience is significant.
If you intentionally build towards a life, or take it as it comes, it’s about your foundation, your core values. What do you believe is the meaning of life? What do you believe you were put on this earth for? As a creator I start with the end in mind. It’s how I roll. Some creators just watch the art form from their work. Either way you start with a medium, a foundation with the intention to have something at the end. What’s your end goal? What have you been given? Work from there. 💜
May your amazing adventures continue to grow and stretch you, guide you towards strength and love. I’ve lived in over 21 homes in 14 cities in my lifetime. Each one taught me something about me. Wherever I am, I’m with me. Who do I want to be? Merry Christmas to you both. I miss you dearly, yet am thrilled with your journey.
As always thank you for the insights, experiences and challenges you have faced and are facing. Sounds a lot like “living life”.
Looking back on my 5+ decades I would say I had loose directions and rolled with the changes that were encountered. We bounced around the US for a few years chasing opportunities and yearning for a family, then family all arrived at once, and we navigated that- with untold trials and unexpected turns, but kept the focus on being a family. Jobs come and go, houses come and go, even friends often come and go. But learning what I can control (very little) what I can influence (a little more) and what I get to participate in and observe (most of the time) has been huge. And confusing any of those aspects is where the greatest frustration and pain come from.
Daily I encounter opportunities for all three and in days I choose well, I generally have excellent days. But I can sure create hardship and pain when I confuse my role. That has been hardest lesson for sure, and still is. My hope is to do better daily, monthly and yearly in this and be less demanding on anyone in my sphere.
Enough of me. Your adventure sounds almost perfect. A blend of challenges- big and small- and the required changes to not only survive them, but to learn to thrive. Lee up the good efforts and enjoy the daily blessings!!!
Merry Christmas my friend.
DEAN YOU'RE A PHILOSOPHER.
I think the hardest thing for me is to feel like such an observer. It feels so passive. Embracing this is always a challenge, but I do know the beauty of doing so. I just read this great quote about happiness that seems to line up:
"Happiness is the state you enter when you no longer want to change your state."
I think that's the lifelong goal - is to be able to experience acceptance and peace in more moments than not.
Thank you for answering our questions so thoughtfully.
enjoyed listening to this Zachary, will certainly listen to more.
thank you! I enjoy that you enjoyed it.
I have for a while known that I wanted to have a life that impacted others, but that is easier said than done! ;) There's always a tension between my ideal and the day to day reality that's financially, mentally, emotionally etc difficult. But think the older I get the more I realize that my original sense about life was right - that the best life lived is one that isn't just lived to fulfill my goals/dreams/desires but one that allows me to share my life with others and to know God and His truth. I feel like having an overarching purpose is helpful, but the hard part is trying to figure out the details. That's where trust has to come in since we only have so much we have control over. Having a larger purpose in life than just living for me is helpful when the inevitable disappointments come in too. And I liked this post! I read, didn't listen though :) Keep up the good work!
Thank you for the thoughtful response! I'd expect nothing less from you.
And I love what you said, to have trust that the details shake out. I'd add that, at some point, some of those details lose their weight over time. We'll look back on our lives and have a more general sense of things, I think. Plus, getting old means your memory gets fuzzy. And that's kind of a good thing lol.
Another great commentary on your adventure. Few people take the chance to seek out what is different and possibly better for them. Enjoy... My iPhone chose not to support the pictures of the new apartment. Hope it is a good move! Merry Christmas.
When I realized that the meaning of life is to love - love God and love one another - then the life we started to live started taking shape. I have not always wanted to love, so the life I wanted was not necessarily to love. But to get my needs met. It’s easier to expect to receive love instead of the focus to love. It’s easier to want to just love myself and my wants and needs rather than focus on others. That does not mean I’m a people pleaser, because often that is not loving others.
Learning to renew your patience is key. Just last night I had to calm myself and renew my patience when at first I thought it would just be so much easier if… where ever I am renewing patience is significant.
If you intentionally build towards a life, or take it as it comes, it’s about your foundation, your core values. What do you believe is the meaning of life? What do you believe you were put on this earth for? As a creator I start with the end in mind. It’s how I roll. Some creators just watch the art form from their work. Either way you start with a medium, a foundation with the intention to have something at the end. What’s your end goal? What have you been given? Work from there. 💜
May your amazing adventures continue to grow and stretch you, guide you towards strength and love. I’ve lived in over 21 homes in 14 cities in my lifetime. Each one taught me something about me. Wherever I am, I’m with me. Who do I want to be? Merry Christmas to you both. I miss you dearly, yet am thrilled with your journey.
Thank you so much for answering this question in full. I so appreciate it.
We miss and love you as well. You're such a source of light and life LL!!!