“Girls just wanna have fun”
Somehow, in spite of difficult life circumstances, I find myself in a place where I am having fun. How? Truthfully, I don’t know. As I break the co-dependant habits of my life, I am finding freedom. The race to complete my Master’s, finished Spring 2008, has ended. I can breathe. There are margins in my life. I’m no longer revving frantically every moment of every day. My motto, “Do it Now,” can be discarded. I adopted it because I had so many responsibilities I had to do them weeks and months before actual deadlines in order to make room for upcoming requirements at work, in school, and at home.
So, what’s my new motto? I bought a new set of mugs this winter. Each has a trio of words inscribed on them. My favorite is “Live well, Laugh often, Love much.” While out shopping with my teenage daughter a few weeks ago, I found a bracelet that has the condensed version: “Live, Laugh, Love.” I wear it daily, a reminder that life is short and while it is sometimes important to “Do it Now” it is equally important to make sure my days are filled with people and events that encourage me to be myself.
I want to live well: appreciate every moment of life as a gift to spend wisely. I want to laugh often: life doesn’t have to be so serious. Look for the humorous moment that can lighten my day and keep me from being tense and nervous as well as relaxing those around me. Finally, I want to love much: give generously to those for whom I care most deeply; be compassionate towards those who cross my path even momentarily.