To best explain why I started this blog, I offer a social buzzword: values.I find it has been easy to follow the common path. I grew up in a home with two parents, one sister, and two dogs. My grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins were never strangers. I went to Sunday school, preschool, public school, college, and then to (some) graduate school. I participated a host of common activities: athletics, choir, band, prom, semester abroad, summer jobs, blind dates, honor rolls, and broken hearts. Now I am happily married with a beautiful suburban home, a rewarding career, a budding retirement account, and a loving family (still including dogs.)
There is nothing wrong with following the common path. It is rewarding, it connects us, and in many ways it is necessary to the success of both individuals and society. Yet with maturity it begins to feel more and more like...well, following. And often, for me at least, following without thinking.
Challenge and reflection are necessary for growth in any direction, and I have caught myself many times over the past few years wondering what my values are, and more importantly, how can I better live those values?
Turns out that--thankfully--my list of values is apparently endless. I value my marriage to, and love, for my husband. I value friendship. A long hike into solitude with my oldest dog is something I look forward to for weeks. I value a promise. I value Nature. Humor? Yes, I value that, too! Sarcasm is essential. I value learning, music, justice, and forgiveness. I value a good meal at a good restaurant with great friends, the intent of a handwritten letter, or how soft my youngest dog's whiskers are. Remember that board game for kids, Cootie? You'd better believe I value that! Along with used books, old photographs and a pen that writes the first time you try it. I value skipping rocks (which I am horrible at) on a hot day, or even a cold day for that matter. A good laugh and a well-timed hug are high on the values list.
When I sit and think of the many things that sustain me, I am overwhelmed by their abundance. By their honesty. By their simplicity.
Turns out that--thankfully--my list of values is apparently endless. I value my marriage to, and love, for my husband. I value friendship. A long hike into solitude with my oldest dog is something I look forward to for weeks. I value a promise. I value Nature. Humor? Yes, I value that, too! Sarcasm is essential. I value learning, music, justice, and forgiveness. I value a good meal at a good restaurant with great friends, the intent of a handwritten letter, or how soft my youngest dog's whiskers are. Remember that board game for kids, Cootie? You'd better believe I value that! Along with used books, old photographs and a pen that writes the first time you try it. I value skipping rocks (which I am horrible at) on a hot day, or even a cold day for that matter. A good laugh and a well-timed hug are high on the values list.
When I sit and think of the many things that sustain me, I am overwhelmed by their abundance. By their honesty. By their simplicity.
I used to think I couldn't possibly have a blog, what would it be about? I didn't know. I only knew what I didn't want it to be about--the typical blogger criticisms. Loving to read my own words. Thinking that what I have to say is terribly interesting to others. Arrogantly typing away in order to feel important. Hiding in front of a laptop while my time could be better spent sorting through the closets. (I concede this one happens to be true at the moment.) So I waited until Zemja Sojourn called to me instead of the other way around.
I suspect I've been on the journey to better live my values for far longer than I have recognized. Regardless of the typical blogger criticisms listed above, I've remembered that I also value writing for no particular reason at all. I also value sharing ideas. I value journaling, but in the past have rarely set aside time to do it.
Hopefully this blog will fit into the the vision of better defining, and living, my values. I am patient enough to find out.
I suspect I've been on the journey to better live my values for far longer than I have recognized. Regardless of the typical blogger criticisms listed above, I've remembered that I also value writing for no particular reason at all. I also value sharing ideas. I value journaling, but in the past have rarely set aside time to do it.
Hopefully this blog will fit into the the vision of better defining, and living, my values. I am patient enough to find out.
