During a conversation with a co-worker today, one particular thing stuck with me. He said something to the effect of "I'm pretty grounded in what I believe in". It occurred to me that over the last 4 years, I've done a lot of soul searching, but not a lot of declarations about my findings. Thus, my commute home tonight was spent making general statements about my beliefs. Now, when I say beliefs, I mean those fundamental elements that I form my life around....not necessarily religious beliefs as my coworker was referring to.
1. I believe in a God. Well, more of a force that ties us all together. No, I do not think there is a guy at a desk with monitors and a switchboard, playing scorekeeper with the matrix of our lives. There is just a feeling I have that there is something bigger than us. I thank this force every night for the blessing that is my children, my husband, my family, and my current circumstances, but I do not ask it for anything, it's more of an internal check that reminds me that I am very fortunate and to remember the important things daily.
2. I believe that Jesus was a cool dude. He showed us the potential we all have. I fall very short of his example, but I hold out hope.
3. I believe in Holidays and birthdays! I will save a "what Holidays mean to me" for another blog, but for now, I will say I believe we should all transform ourselves into holiday people and really enjoy traditions and take the time to send love in all directions. I also love birthdays! It is a time to celebrate another year, another accomplishment, the joy of having people in our lives for another trip around the sun! I have a real issue with statements that birthdays aren't that important. They are so important! It's not about age, it's about celebrating life!!
4. I believe in 'live and let live". We're all here, we have to get along, or we spend a lot of time being mad, which is exhausting. Do what you have to do to live the life you were meant to live. The only case in which I will not just let things be concerns those individuals for whom I am responsible for. They can get on with things once I’m done with the foundation work! Roots AND wings. Right, Mom? 143
5. I believe in making messes. Can't be avoided. They are usually the result of a good thing. Play time, meal time, craft time, play-in-the-mud time, and all sorts of other 'times'. And the messes that don't result from a good thing are still an opportunity for my next belief...
6. I believe in cleaning up. On a regular basis! Cleaning up your toys, the dirt, the glitter, the clothes, your head, your relationship, etc. Just clean-up! (My poor kids!)
7. I believe in keeping lists. What I’ve done, what I need to do, what I want to do. Silly as it sounds, I’ve always had this strange idea that if I don't have a list with specific things I need to get done, then I’ll die because I’m all done! Laugh if you want, I know it's illogical. Plenty of people leave us before their time, when they have so much more to do. There's a reason we have that expression, but I just have a compulsion to keep a running list.
8. I believe in dessert. It's the best part! I know this belief would probably be more poetic coming from a skinny gal who is satisfied by a jellybean, but whatever. There’s a skinny girl in here somewhere! My hubby and I are about to embark on a 90-day journey to better health, however, I refuse to give up dessert! I don’t even have anything philosophical to say about this, it just is what it is. Maybe my readers can give me a good reason to back this one up!
9. I believe in smiling at everyone. Try it! Even if you are in 'bee' mode (this is the art of buzzing happily around someone who insists on being unpleasant), SMILE! Especially, when you don't have a clue what is going on! Smiling gives off a sense of confidence, people will assume you are totally tuned in, and in my case, actually remember their name!
10. I believe in planting things. Vegetables, trees, ideas. Not sure I need to go into this much more.
11. I believe in creating things. Even if it's impractical, paint something, hang something up, cut something, stir something, imagine something........always imagine what could be!
And last...
12. I believe in my people. I would like to be able to say that I believe in people in general, but I can't say that. I don't know most of them. I don't most people are out to get others, they are sometimes just a little careless.....didn't do a proper risk assessment and all! But as for my people, you people, I believe in you and I hope you can believe in me. Trust that I do not expect any more from you than I expect from myself and even when we don't quite measure up in each other's eyes, we tried!
I imagine myself coming back to this list often and reminding myself of what I have declared to keep myself on track. What do you believe?
