I recently had a conversation with a friend that left me amused. She's a workaholic (in her 70's with no plans to retire) and expressed her concern of me becoming a vegetable because I'm "not doing anything" with my life (in my 50's and retired). I laughed and told her not to worry about me. I'm enjoying my life - I say that's enough for me!~
I've done all the things - the working hard jobs for too many years, the helping others on mission trips and volunteer work, the learning, the growing... I've done it all. When I was growing up I dreamed of being special and doing great things. Now I'm happy being average and living this life that is uniquely mine.
Last year I joined a group to be more social (you know, cause they keep badgering about social connected people being happier and healthier) and I was out there doing stuff with people, going here and there. And after a couple of months, I missed my life. I missed sitting in the backyard with my pets, enjoying the sun and birdsong. I missed having my little dog sleeping on my chest in the afternoon. I missed having nothing urgent or pressing to do. I found myself tired from running around and unable to just enjoy the rhythm of the life I've created, the leisurely way it unfolds.
My days are filled with walks and the everyday things of life - cooking, shopping, laundry, cleaning, gardening, movies on Netflix, reading, playing with my pets (way more playing with pets than cleaning and laundry!), caring for my pets, grooming my pets!, visiting family, thinking up decorating projects that never happen, etc... I volunteer at the animal shelter and organic farm whenever I feel like it, there is no set schedule and I like it that way. I have zero desire to encumber myself with a job when I don't need the money, or commitments when I don't have the desire for them. Does that mean I'm sliding more rapidly into decrepitude?
In all honesty, I don't think my friend is any happier than I am. And she's often sick because she pushes herself very hard. I don't want that life. I would rather be happy and boring.
What is your life's rhythm? Are you happy with it?
puppyplaying2.jpg