The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.
~Robert Louis Stevenson
Part of me believes this whole-heartedly. Part of me doesn't. Sometimes (like right now) I dream of a completely simple life. One that these pictures of a place actually for sale on 12 acres of land (hint hint - want to know what to get me for Christmas?!) would create.
Right now I feel like hanging laundry on the clothes line, slicing into some freshly baked bread, pulling weeds in a garden, setting the table for family dinner.....
Then other times, I'm excitedly anxious as I reach for the stars - dreams and ambitions of lofty goals .... Live my life in anticipation, because the goals I've set are propelling me onward. It's life where every moment brings a little flutter because what's next is bound to be exciting!
Ideals are like stars: you will not succeed in touching them with your hands, but like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them you reach your destiny.
~Carl Schurz
So who am I? The comfortable homemaker or the ambitious achiever? I don't know.
Do you know which you are?
house photos from realtor.com the others are mine :)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
We are soul sisters this week, Denalee. That's what I'm struggling with as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm on your train as well.
ReplyDeleteI love love my life and every day I'm filled with gratitude and utter contentment.
Still, there is a little tug and my eyes wander up to the stars and I feel that dream whispering my name...
I'm "stuck" here in METRO MODE! Skyscrapers, traffic and pollution everywhere. I miss the clothesline, washing the windows, hearing the screen door slam and the kids playing outside.
ReplyDeleteBut content I choose to be.
Both. Perhaps the dreams we have could be translated into a life's mission? I have been wondering lately if I'm wasting time on folk art, when I could be creating more serious work. I also have figured out that fame is not in the cards for me in regards to my art, especially if I'm not staying in tune with the real mission God has for me. That's what I want to know, what should I be doing with the talents I've been blessed with, and how to use them to make the lives of others around me better, or even as a tool to share the gospel. Does that relate to what you are thinking at all? I can see how you can still enjoy the simple things, here and there, and still reach for the stars. The trouble I have is trying to do it all at once. Each day is a pick and choose challenge these days. Thanks for getting us thinking!
ReplyDeleteNo struggle there for me - definitely the comfortable homemaker. I try not to think about career opportunities I've knocked back, but they would've come at a cost. I'm not good with stress in the workplace. I love my home, purring cats, hens,garden and the quiet life, and staying home when my daughter was a baby. "Oh I'd go mad" many said. I loved it. I work part-time now and love my days at home.
ReplyDeleteOh what a loaded question you pose today, my friend... for the past 4 1/2 years the country has been my sanctuary, my place to recover and heal. And as each day passes I wonder ...have I really become a country living gal or am I a city gal still in the country ... I'm thinking (hoping) I can be both.... xo HHL
ReplyDeleteDenalee I don't know that I could truly be a country girl although I AM a nester. I do love adventure and excitement! I am always looking to learn something new in life!
ReplyDeleteI have a $100 Giveaway from Soft Surroundings on my site if you would like to enter!!
Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
nice post....i love the quote
ReplyDeletebtw if u likelets follow each other
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