Being Enough…Reflections of September

I read something on a blog the other day.  I can’t remember the quote that was made exactly, but I remember the feel of the post, the thoughts behind the message, the longing behind the words.  It was a sad post, full of regret.

I have a few blogs that I actively follow and comment on, and more blogs that I silently stalk.  There’s various reason’s for this that I won’t get into here, but this post happened to be on a blog that I’ve only commented on a handful of times, though I’ve gotten a great deal of information from.  Maybe I should comment more often?  Who knows!

Regardless as to how this person feels about themselves, in my opinion, this person is successful.

This person has made goals for themselves, and seems to be meeting them.  Based on the posts that I’ve read, they have supportive family and friends.  Online, they seem to have a good life.

So why did this person’s post touch me?  Why would I care about someone who lives hundreds of miles away?  This person doesn’t even know I exist!  I suppose I can’t stop thinking about it because the sadness rang too true.  It’s a feeling most of us experience at one time or another, that feeling of not being ENOUGH.

Not good enough.

Not successful enough.

Just not enough.

I understand this feeling.  It’s easy to use other people to measure our own lives against.  It’s also too convenient to use this as an excuse, to allow life to pass us by.  Everyone has work of one kind or another.  We all have our everyday hassles.  Nobody has it easy.

This year has been a challenge for me.  I discovered the hard way that my body isn’t as young as it once was.  😉  Shocker!  I don’t like it, but I’ve embraced it.  I had to make a few adjustments physically and even more mentally.  Sometimes I have to wear a wrap on my offending joints.  Most days, I work within my limitations, then I don’t aggravate my wrists, etc in the first place.  While I’m not thrilled with Ace wraps and Ibuprofen, I’m happy to report that the habit of LIVING my life, of taking control of what I do…it’s still holding.  I am grateful for that.

If you only focus on the big stuff of life, I think you set yourself up for failure.  It’s the stupid little things that drive you crazy or make life worth living.  If you sit at home and wait for life to happen, it won’t.  You HAVE to been an active participant in your own life.  You HAVE to decide each and every day to LIVE your own life, and not be satisfied with going through the motions.

I speak from experience here.  I wasted far too much time NOT living my life, not enjoying what I have, and being fearful of trying new things.  My definition of success is much more forgiving and broader than it was before.

Have a great day

Juli