Sometimes I get an ear worm, a song that, once heard, keeps going around in my head. This also happens with quotes I’ve heard, half of one that’s been with me for a long time is in the title above.
The whole quote goes; ‘Its not about living the life you love but loving the life you live’.
I take this to mean that it’s not about striving ever harder to get what you want, it’s more about making what you already have into something you love.
Like everyone who has ever drawn breath, my life isn’t perfect, I have problems. That’s not letting anyone into a big secret, in my experience, there isn’t a soul alive who hasn’t got them. Some bigger than others and some that can be ignored but they’re there just the same.
I read a quote by a guy called Kevin Ngo, he’s a virtual reality web designer, I know nothing about web design but his quote really resonated with me. He said –
‘If you don’t make the time to work on creating the life you want, you’re eventually going to be forced to spend a LOT of time dealing with a life you don’t want’.
Slotting this advice from Kevin into loving the life I live, means doing what I can with what I have.
This month I’ve restored a G plan table, made jewellery and found vintage pieces that I like (both for my Etsy site, my friends and myself). A few of the things I’ve done are shown below.
A few years ago, I had let everything that could be considered art or craft based slip from my life. I was doing a job that wasn’t a good fit and I needed to change. I’m now less financially well off but honestly, that doesn’t matter to me because I like what I do so much more.
I still tutor A level students in Biology but that’s a student at a time and I enjoy doing it. I also love to hear about what they’re going to do next. This time of year is stressful for them, exams are looming but it’s a high energy time too.
Being in nature, in the garden, the wild, the seashore, or a park/botanic garden is something else I enjoy. This month I’ve had a deer in the garden, watched the trees blossom and visited the local botanic garden for my fixes –
I like to wear what I want, I like slow fashion. I enjoy finding things that are vintage or just second hand and sometimes upcycling them into something different.
I could actually go on for pages about what I like to do but that’s not really what this is about. It’s really about being here for a good time not a long time, even the longest human lifespan is a mere speck of time in the universe.
It’s the fact that life – as Oscar Wilde once said – is too important to be taken seriously.
It’s the fact that I love people who are positive and make me laugh and I don’t like arrogance, or people who take themselves too seriously and I like to try and enjoy the moment.
I’m sitting here wondering what made me start to write this, it’s not to give advice. Advice is there to be ignored! I don’t expect others to feel how I feel or do what I do. As I’ve got older I’ve become more and more aware that everyone thinks differently, that what is obvious to me might look very different to someone else. I’ve never felt the need to try to persuade anyone to adopt my views and I’m not doing that now.
Also, I’m aware that having said I don’t like people who take themselves too seriously, this could be seen as quite serious in tone! It’s meant lightly, an exhortation to wring every ounce of joy out of as much of every day as possible.
Whatever you are up to, wherever you are, I hope that you are able to love the life you live, and, if not there yet, to find a way to make it possible.
Have a lovely week.
xxx
I love this post. This is exactly how I feel, and like you, it’s something that I’ve grown into as I’ve aged. Life is too short for negativity!
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Thank you Sandy. I totally agree with you.
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Such a beautiful post and it was just what I needed as I could really do with a dose of positivity. I’d love to say that I love the life I live but I’ve been a bit down in the dumps lately and situation at work – a job that always suited me – is not ideal. But as you say, life it too short to be taken seriously, so I’m trying to accentuate the positive (!) by looking forward to my upcoming holiday in the UK. Nothing like some time away from the day-to-day drudgery to put things in perspective! How amazing to have a deer visiting your garden! xxx
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Thank you Ann. It’s difficult turning up to work every day when you no longer enjoy it, I hope things improve. Are you going to Wales? I hope it’s a good break.
I’ve been watching a Belgium drama – Professor T – on tv this evening, and I thought of you! xxx
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That’s pretty sound philosophy in my book. You got me again. As much as I appreciate mid-cen furniture, the G Plan table sent me researching. This must a term only in the UK. Did the chairs come with it? Together as a set, that is just beautiful. I’ve refinished quite a few pieces in my lifetime too, none lately however.
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In the 1960’s, G Plan, a British company, introduced a Danish Modern Range designed by Ib kofod-Larsen, it’s one of these that I bought. I love G Plan, I’ve been looking for a good restorable set for a while. Thanks Terry, I’m so glad you like it. I didn’t realise that you are a mid century design loverr too! xxx
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This could have been written by me. A brilliantly uplifting post. I can honestly say that packing in my career and doing what i loved was the best thing I ever did and I feel grateful i had the courage to do it every day of my life. There’s been times where we’ve had to live on Lidl noodles and B grade fruit and veg as money’s been so tight but we survived!
I love your restored G Plan furniture, you’ve done a cracking job. Both the elephant and that elephant ear plant are gorgeous and as for that deer in your garden, wow! How lucky you were to be able to capture it. xxx
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In the words of that god of rock Michael Hutchence – you’re one of my kind 🙂
Thanks Vix. We too gave had our moments with interesting food combinations, being veggie helps and there always seemed to be enough for a bottle of wine?! xxx
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I loved reading this Sally!! And I do think that one of the advantages of getting older is becoming better at this living the life we love. At least I have too. Just like you, we aren’t as well off financially, but we are so happier. I would never want to go back to my previous life!
You’re right about advice too…because people only hear what they want to hear. Yet there are times when we read something that really resonates with us!! And to help inspire others when they want it, is the best ever!!
Enjoy your weekend,
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
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Thanks Jodie. I agree , I think as we get older, we’re less prepared to waste time doing what we hate, money is no compensation for that!
Hope you’re having a good weekend too. xxx
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