My sister Jennifer recently wrote a post that got me thinking about who I am as a person aside from being a mom. It's so easy to lose yourself in the wake of everyday life. In your children, your husband,or your job, and believe me, there are days when I feel like a zombie, but I think I've held on to who I am as an individual by remembering and relishing in my favorite things. I know, we feel like we should always include Jesus, our children, and our husband when asked what our favorite things are...so let's just assume those are all a given here. I'm talking about the things that I do for me, and I have to say the main ingredient to most of my favorite things is time. Making time, finding time, or sometimes stealing time to think, time to breathe, and time to decompress. Time to enjoy things like...
A long windows-down-radio-up kind of drive
As a mom and wife, this is probably the most accessible thing for me. I've been known to grab my keys once the kids are in bed, or sometimes I just take the long way home from the grocery store. I have great memories on back roads as a kid with my dad and as a teen with my friends. I believe that country roads make heavy thoughts lighter, difficult conversations easier, stubborn tears fall quicker, and muddled minds clearer.
A fire
There's something about sitting around a fire that draws out "remember when...?" stories. And I have to say, I become exceptionally funny around a good fire...maybe because I feel more free to be myself. Feel more free to be a little rowdy. Crack jokes. Have a beer. Being by a fire usually means that the TV is nowhere near, the stars are out, the day is done, sleep is near and the ones you love are sitting next to you.
A good glass of wine
Anyone who knows me well knows that I love a good drink. It's something that can be hard to admit as a christian, for some reason. My opinion is keep it reasonable and keep it responsible. And, for me, a glass of wine usually means I'm with good company. Which leads me to...
Girl time
For me, this is my most sacred favorite thing. I cherish my close friends. Talking and relating to the women in my life is what lets me know that I'm not alone. I'm not the only one who struggles, who hurts, who fights, who gets upset, or who makes mistakes. Sometimes we think other women have it all together, and we beat ourselves down for not having what we think others have. But girl time always reminds me that we all have similar stories, and we, as females, just want to share those stories. We want to talk about our day, our week, or our last few months. We tell our stories as if they are mini soap operas and sometimes get tickled by the ridiculousness of it all. We use a lot of hand gestures, our tone goes up a few octaves, and we laugh at things that later become "you had to be there" kind of moments. There is no substitution for a good friend.
Travel
Whether it's up I-24 to Nashville or across the country to Seattle, I love to go and see. It's been an added perk as a stay at home mom to be able to pack up and go whenever I want. My husband travels quite a bit for work, so sometimes I tag along with him. I love places with history, city skylines, exploring new cuisine, or being in awe of a beautiful view. But it's not always glamorous, and I like it that way. Sometimes it's walking up a gravel driveway in Amish country. Sometimes it's being barefoot in a creek. Whatever it is, I like the adventure of it all. And when I have the time and the funds for it, I make it happen.
These are things that make me who I am. These things keep me excited about life and thankful. They are the things that remind me to take a breath and love the life I have.
Come here often? First time reader? Don't forget to comment to let me know you're here!
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Anyone who knows me well knows that I love a good drink. It's something that can be hard to admit as a christian, for some reason. My opinion is keep it reasonable and keep it responsible. And, for me, a glass of wine usually means I'm with good company. Which leads me to...
Girl time
For me, this is my most sacred favorite thing. I cherish my close friends. Talking and relating to the women in my life is what lets me know that I'm not alone. I'm not the only one who struggles, who hurts, who fights, who gets upset, or who makes mistakes. Sometimes we think other women have it all together, and we beat ourselves down for not having what we think others have. But girl time always reminds me that we all have similar stories, and we, as females, just want to share those stories. We want to talk about our day, our week, or our last few months. We tell our stories as if they are mini soap operas and sometimes get tickled by the ridiculousness of it all. We use a lot of hand gestures, our tone goes up a few octaves, and we laugh at things that later become "you had to be there" kind of moments. There is no substitution for a good friend.
Travel
These are things that make me who I am. These things keep me excited about life and thankful. They are the things that remind me to take a breath and love the life I have.
Come here often? First time reader? Don't forget to comment to let me know you're here!
Don't want to comment? No prob! Just "like" the link on Facebook. I know you're reading, so leave a footprint, k?
Thanks for the link! Good post, gave me inspiration for a new one.
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