change

Lately, I've felt like I need a change. A change of pace, a change of scenery, a change of my blog background for sure.  (Sorry about my previous background. It was so distracting I couldn't even look at my own blog. I hope you feel more peace now when you visit my blog!)  I have been somewhat anxious lately feeling like a change is coming.  However, as I reflect on my life I realize that it is constantly changing.  Right now I am experiencing new routines, a new season, new challenges, new possibilities, new obligations, and a new perspective.  (Not to mention that dang Home Renewal Challenge to try and change my home, which is feeling like a really bad idea...more on that later!)

For me, the biggest change in my life lately has been perspective. I am trying to change my perspective. The way I view life. The way I view myself. The way I view others and the way I view change.  

Recently, I have been so inspired by blogging.  No, not my blogging (as you can tell from my lack of posts), but others.  Thank you to everyone who posted comments on my "Why Is It" post. I was so happy for all of the advice and feedback. It makes me want to put my thoughts and questions out there more often. In fact, I was enjoying them so much that I intentionally neglected to publish a new post for fear that you would move on with me.

I have also been inspired by others blogs.  ALL of my friends blogs are an inspiration to me.  I am so impressed with ideas, thoughts, pictures and comments from all of my friends and family members who blog.  If I need some motivation, I turn to my computer and blog list for inspiration.  I have been horrible about leaving comments lately (I always have a baby in my arms), but I am reading your blogs and being inspired by them.

Lastly, I am so impressed by the blogs of complete strangers.  This blogging community is incredible. I am able to be inspired through the lives of others.  Recently, I have been inspired by the following blogs (to name a couple):

http://www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/
http://adailyscoop.blogspot.com/

Both of these blogs are especially inspiring based on their circumstances.  If you're not already familiar with these blogs you'll have to read them when you have some time and some kleenex's.  One thing that really stood out to me from NieNie's blog was the following quote:

"Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said: “The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less”(Loud and Clear [2004], 10–11).

This quote, these blogs, your blogs and your lives have all changed my perspective.  

In honor of my new perspective, here are a few of the changes that I will be making in my life:

I will enjoy the "doing" more than the "completing."

I will do things that make me and others happy.

I will not worry about what other people expect out of me.

I will think less and enjoy more.

I will truly, honestly and consciously embrace life.