I recently had my young nephew come to stay and having suffered through the children arguing what to play and simultaneously complaining that they were bored I asked them to write a list of their 10 most favourite things to do. Initially I thought that we might at least find some common ground so that we could spend some enjoyable time together. I asked them to do it silently and individually so as not to influence each others answers and I was amazed at what they wrote but mostly at how much they struggled to even think of 10 things (a small bonus as it kept them all quiet for a lot longer than I expected!). I then began thinking through my own list – what are the top 10 things that I love to do? It’s a surprisingly difficult task. Has it really come to this? Our lives are so full of doing so much that we don’t really enjoy that we struggle to find even 10 things that truly satisfy and that we genuinely cherish? How did this happen?! I have since asked my husband to make his list and I urge you to do the same. It’s a fascinating revelation into your character and quickly highlights areas of your life that you may need to pay some attention to – probably finding a way to take a bit more time to enjoy your own existence.
Recent years have made me view life with a little more respect for how fragile it can be and just how quickly it can disappear. With the terror threat around the world creeping ever higher, a friend asked me if we should stop travelling on public transport – a completely ludicrous idea. “No!” I cried. “Sort your shit out, write a will and tell someone where the keys are and then live your life and do whatever makes you happy so that when you leave this world, whenever that may be, the people you leave behind will remember you for all the great reasons”
Happiness is life’s pursuit
Everyone knows the saying ‘there has to be more to life than this’ and everyone has had times when they feel at the mercy of their circumstances. Life is tough but you are ultimately in control and nothing is permanent. So make a decision to make more of your life and do what makes you smile inside more often. I am certainly going to try, and try to do it without guilt…a tall order for just 1 mum.