Happy Saturday, friends! I'm glad you're here to link up with me today for Share 4 Somethings, when we talk about some things we loved, some things we learned, some things that went well, and some things we let go of this month. I'll jump right in!
Some things I loved this month are pictured below.
And starting (and ending) the month at a play at The Orpheum!
Some things I learned are listed below:
- early Christmas decor makes me happier this year than ever
- I'm not dreading the holidays this year
- time really does heal everything
- I was able to find love again in these middle years
- relationships are hard, wonderful though they may be
- breaks are nice from work, but I miss the kids and my co-workers after just a few days of being off
Something that went well this month was my weekend trip to see Noah by myself. I loved the drive time that I had alone, and I really loved staying in my hotel room alone for the first time ever in my life. I'd love to do this again!
Something I let go of is caring what someone thinks of me. I know who I am, my friends and family know who I am, and the negative things that someone thinks or says about me are simply not true. I don't have to defend myself, I don't have to justify myself, I can just simply let that negativity go and not care about getting in the last word. My newest favorite reply for a text message is simple: "okay". Welcome to the we no longer care club; have you seen those videos on social media? They pertain to menopause for us middle aged women, but honestly, I'm using that mentality for a lot more in life.
I can't wait to read your posts! Sorry this was so late, it completely slipped my mind this week. I'll see you back here Monday, friends. Love to all!
Glad you've entered the "we do not care club" phase of your journey! :) I love those videos too. Good for you in enjoying your life again. Looks like you had a fun month being with people who love you and whom you love.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a great account to follow! She makes me laugh every time as she checks off her list with her highlighter. Thanks for that, friend!
DeleteI adore the We no longer care club! Ha! And I love that vibe for you too. I also love that you loved staying in a hotel by yourself. One of my biggest luxuries is doing that - it doesn't matter if it's fancy or not - it's being on your won with time to yourself and no other considerations (other people's needs). It feels so decadent. Almost naughty. How sad is that?
ReplyDeleteYes! It's so good. Thank you for that encouragement, friend. I agree about the hotel stay...it's wonderfully decadent. What a great word to describe that feeling!
DeleteWhat people think of you - or anyone else for that matter - is frequently a reflection of themselves. People who are in a good place and happy with who they are, tend to think generous thoughts. Others? ….not too much.
ReplyDeleteYou are a hundred percent right. I always think of the phrase, "hurt people, hurt people". I try to give grace and sometimes do, while other times I fail miserably. Everyday is new, though, praise God for that. And I pray for the person, even on the days when I don't want to do that...not everyday, but when I think of him.
DeleteAdorable dogs, especially Little Jack...little mite looks a little overwhelmed. I'm on the the fence with the "we no longer care club" while it's important to be assertive and prioritize one's own interest, it can be a slippery slope when approaching "to hell with everyone else, I've got mine" and self absorbed narcissism. Western culture has often gone too far with this, resulting in loneliness, isolation, homelessness while in other parts of the world a more caring group oriented culture remains a safety net for the vulnerable.
ReplyDeleteHe's adorable, right? I get what you're saying about that club...and it is a fine line. I think it pertains well to some circumstances, like the one I'm speaking of, but we do need also to care for other people. I get what you're saying.
DeleteJenn, your country drives are so pretty and yay for you doing that trip by yourself and making it back :) Those are big milestones, no matter your age. I'm having to drive at night now that the time changed and I'm actually doing it! No matter how old we get, we're always learning and growing. If you're not, then you're missing out. I'm so glad you're happy and I hope the holidays prove to be some of your best yet.
ReplyDeleteThank you, friend! I agree about the milestones...and good for you as well. Look at us doing all the things! I love times of growth like that; it makes me feel empowered in a good way. I hope the same for you, my friend!
DeleteWhat wonderful photos! They did make me smile. Your garage looks great and little Jack is just adorable.
ReplyDeleteGood on your for letting go of caring what someone thinks of you. It can be exhausting worrying about things like that.
Thank you! You are so right.
DeleteThe paint color of your garage walls is so pretty- and I love how neat and tidy everything is in the garage. I love seeing everything that you´ve loved recently- all such good things. Noah looks great and happy especially standing next to you!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's a bold statement. It's been a good month of loving lots of things. He is doing so well! It's good to see him thrive.
DeleteOh I think I have been a member of the we do not care club for far too long as I am getting much too good at it! It looks like you had a really lovely month.
ReplyDeleteThis made me laugh! I totally get that. Thanks, friend!
DeleteI almost texted you, but I was letting you live your life! I said "we do not care if Share 4 is late" - lol.
ReplyDeleteIt's so freeing not to care. I feel like turning 50 did that for me. I also am using the "let them" theory more and more and I am "matching energy". Sometimes that doesn't seem very Christian to live in these ways, though. Opinion on that?
Your blog post came to my email, and I almost cussed. I threw together this post as soon as I got back home! I need to quit everything, because I'm barely holding it together over here. Ha!
DeleteI think you are so right about not caring, and I get what you're saying about it not being very Christian to live like that...but I think there's a fine balance. I think we need to not care about what we can't control (other people's opinions of us and their actions), and we still need to pray for and love them as best we're able. We're not called to live selfish lives, but to live selflessly...but I also think we need to care for ourselves in a way that nourishes us. I put myself off for far too long, and I'm trying to fix that now with my new life. Does that make sense?
I am late to the party again this month, but life has been chaotic to say the least. I am glad you had a great November with your family and friends. It is hard not to care what people think, but I also give a lot of "ok" answers. I agree, we need to take care of ourselves and some thing are out of our control. We can only control our reaction. Have a great week!
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