Learning to Love Life

February 23, 2016

At times I can really struggle to enjoy life. It’s pretty easy for my eyes wander to what is going on around and let the goodness in my own life slip right through my hands. To compare, decide how my life doesn’t measure up, and find myself in total despair – all in the matter of three thoughts.

Sometimes I can even recognize that destructive voice in my head for what it is and still listen to it. In those moments, it’s almost as if I’m the door holder for that thief to come right on into my space and steal what valuables I have. If I’m not intentional to move myself out of that cycle, I feel totally stuck, slipping from comparison to despair to utter defeat.

I’d love to say that those tendencies don’t affect me today, but they still do. Everyday there are temptations to allow what isn’t in my life to trump all that is. And it always begins with a thought.

But the other day, the three of us were on a walk through our neighborhood. The sun was gently setting and Eloise was tucked in my carrier snug against my chest taking her short catnap. I didn’t realize Mark and I had stopped talking because in my mind I was having a whole dialogue with myself about all that makes me thankful and alive today.

Out of the stillness, I turned to Mark and said, “You know, I really love my life.”

I let out a big, thankful exhale because that statement was so true for me. It wasn’t some prophetic profession in an effort to move myself toward a desired reality. It was a declaration that I have walked into some tangible breakthrough.

I feel more secure in my skin and more thankful for my life than I have ever settled into before. I’m not as antsy to move ahead to prove something. I’m patient in the process today, where I am and what God is doing. This has been a major transition and one that certainly didn’t just happen. Thinking about it, there are some things I started doing over the last few years that have moved me to a more rested place.

One major thing I did was take back permission from the outside world for my life. This is huge. If we are living with a set of expectations of what will make us happy based on what must happen to, for, or around us, we will never be happy. If our enjoyment is only contingent on the external, whether it be applause, promotion, or abundance, we will always feel dissatisfied and disappointed. Our permission to live and enjoy life cannot be based on external voices, but on the inner one that reminds us, “You are enough and today is a gift.”

I began really celebrating others, especially when it was something I longed for in my life. I decided to live from the place of abundance, not lack – believing there is always enough. Always. The people around me became reminders not of how I am missing out or not measuring up, but of what is possible for my life. Their victories cheer me on to believe more for myself. Their breakthroughs prophetically speak hope for what can be in my own life.

I say thank you, a lot. Thankfulness lets us enjoy what is presently happening in life.

I take control of my thoughts. I shut off that tempting voice which beckons me to make external circumstances a megaphone for my own inadequacy. Though I am still learning to be quicker in this, what’s helpful is identifying my rhythms and triggers. Knowing when it may be easier to give in allows me to be extra aware that I need to speak out truth.

I relaxed, realized time is finite, and that I might as well enjoy today for all that it is. Maybe becoming a mom did this or maybe just getting older. But I am acutely aware of the preciousness of time, the false guarantee that I have tomorrow.

And finally, I’m taking risks to move forward in some deeply planted dreams in my life. I’m breaking out of stagnancy and each step is reviving me. Pushing past my own fear reminds me not only that I am alive, but that life is exciting, risky, and beautiful.