He who knows he has enough is rich.
- Lao Tzu
What makes your life rich? That was the question I asked my students this past Friday, St. Patrick's Day. There was only one caveat. "It can't be money." Then they listed an item on each "gold" coin filling up their pots of gold. This was one happy beginning to my weekend.
These kiddos not only had an easy time filling their pots seeing just how rich their lives are, they had fun. You could literally feel the happiness in the room as they wrote and shared and glued. It was a special moment & lesson I hope to always remember.
I carried this focus with me as the weekend went on. It was a combination of ups and downs and choices. Ultimately an exercise in living out a line I wrote in my new year's dare: I dare you to not be burdened by what you "should" do but instead live in the space of what you're meant to do.
Click here if you'd like to read the full New Year's dare.
Life's journey the past 2 1/2 years has led my husband and me down a path of exploring new interests, living a different kind of day to day than we planned and adjusting to a new financial experience. At times we've been apprehensive and scared. Heck, we've even doubted what we were doing at times, and felt less than successful. But, somehow in following what truly fills us up we've found more happiness and abundance than we dreamed we could. We just have to keep our focus in check. We've always had enough. Enough for ourselves and to share with others. The sacrifices that come with making our new way is better than okay. It's great and fulfilling us in so many ways!
These photos show just a few moments highlighting special times this weekend connecting with those we love & exploring new interests. :) Click here to check out Brian's latest podcast!
In fact, sitting in the dark right before watching my lovely friend, Helen, perform in a magnificent play on Sunday, Brian turned to me and said with some of the deepest sincerity I've ever heard in his voice, or seen in his eyes, "I love our life. It's full of everything I've wanted. It's better than I imagined in such different & unexpected ways. It's incredible." I looked at him with a satisfaction I truly cannot put into word and smiled. Then the show began.
Click the link below to learn more about this awesome show! It runs through April 1st.
So after 2 1/2 years of figuring out this newness what do we have to show for it? Lots of new adventures, stories and friendships, deeper connections with old friends and family and most of all happy hearts. Yes, there have been bumps in the road, but nothing that can slow down our drive to continue living life in a way that fills us up with much more satisfaction than anything money can buy. We've intentionally followed our hearts, supported each other, worked hard and continually chosen to spend our time in ways that matter most to us, ultimately leading us to feel we are living a rich life!
Which leads me to ask - What fills you up and makes your life rich? What do you count as your true fortunes in life? List them out and see how happy you begin to feel. Can you do at least one thing this week to make more time for those people and things that matter most to you? Let me know what your ideas are, if you try it out and how it goes. I'd love if you'd share some of your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Until next time. . .
Here's to enjoying your life & ALL GOOD THINGS my friends!
XOXO,
Mary
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