I’m a bit sick of feeling like I’m just surviving life.
I want more. I want it to be better. I want to feel better while I’m doing it.
So 2018 is the year of beauty. The pursuit of beauty. A beautiful life that feels as good as it might look on social media and instagram. A relaxed life.
Too much to ask? Perhaps. But frankly, I’m going to try.
First step: 21 days of gratitude. I’m going to add to a blog every day for 21 days things that I feel grateful for and am lucky to have and enjoy in my life. I’m sure it won’t be hard. What’s hard is focussing on what’s good instead of what’s bad on a day by day, moment by moment basis.
But it’s more than gratitude for what I have. It’s being okay without what I don’t have. It’s getting rid of what I don’t need much of. It’s spending time with people who challenge and support me. It’s giving that support and kindness on to others.
A beautiful life does not seem easy. An average life seems easy. A reactive life seems easy. Choosing to live on purpose, to live according to a purpose, seems much harder.
But Frankly, My Dear, I don’t give a damn. I’m going to give it a go.
Tea4Teacher. 
February 12, 2018 at 4:07 pm
Do it! Laugh at it all. Dance just because. Actively look for what is good instead of what’s bad. Don’t be afraid to look like a hot mess. Say what you think. It’s individuals who stand out in a crowd. It’s those who aren’t afraid to be themselves who get noticed. It’s those who ‘don’t give a damn’ that shine like diamonds that people want to be like.
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February 13, 2018 at 2:39 pm
“Choosing to live on purpose, to live according to a purpose, seems much harder.” In that one line is a world full of wisdom.
The point of having a deliberately defined purpose is that it provides a bit of a lifeboat for when the going gets rough and helps navigate us through that chaos.
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February 13, 2018 at 7:24 pm
Any time one can focus on beauty and gratitude, it is a positive endeavor. I’ve decided on “no whining” about anything during Lent, because I want to make the weeks leading up to Easter as positive as possible. Good luck and I wish happy moments for you in 2018.
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February 13, 2018 at 8:01 pm
Thank you 🙂 no whining is a good aim.. what’s that saying.. out of the mouth comes what’s in your heart..? Scary really haha. I’d like to think my heart means well but sometimes I’m a grumbler!! Focusing on being positive might help overhaul the heart and mouth a bit perhaps haha. Good idea 🙂
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February 23, 2018 at 7:48 am
It will get easier. The ‘easy’ ways out only makes other things harder. Gratitude is a great way to show yourself how easy it can be.
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February 23, 2018 at 9:31 am
With so much pessimism about it’s good to be an optimist. Thank you for liking my post about Irish school children
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February 25, 2018 at 10:21 pm
Great post. Gratitude is the path to contentment.
That quote is from Gone with the Wind, a great movie if you haven’t seen it.
Marlan Rico Lee — ‘Be grateful for the things and people you have in your life. Things you take for granted someone else is praying for’
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