When my husband and I got married, we bought a house. Along one side of the house was a covered area where you could have a table in the shade.
Only the covering was infested with termites, so the owners removed it before we finalized the sale. Just the covering, not the poles and beams.
The remaining structure was not picturesque.
And it seemed like it would be a big deal to remove it, expensive probably. So we left it there, and ate under it, and when we had kids, they rode their tricycles around the beams, and occasionally I’d bump into one and curse.
When we decided to sell the house, eight years later, the real estate agent recommended removing the structure.
Which we did. It turned out to not be that big of a deal. Not that expensive, either.
The yard looked about twice as big, twice as inviting.
And by the time it was down, we’d already moved out. Which meant we didn’t even get to enjoy that bigger, lovelier yard for a single day.
Is there an area of your life that’s old, dilapidated, and so ever-present you don’t even remember that it’s there? An old habit, perhaps, or a piece of furniture you hate? A weekly obligation you’d rather get out of, a to-do list that you hate checking things off of?
Don’t wait any longer to change it. Don’t tell yourself it’s out of your power to do so.
There’s always a choice when it comes to our lives. Always. Maybe you can’t eliminate something tomorrow, but you can start dreaming of ways to make change happen. You can take small steps towards a different life. You can work your way up to the bravery. You can start saving your pennies for a desk, a better pen, or the trip you’ve been putting off.
Because you know what living with a life you hate is? It’s a silly waste. A sad waste. It’s like trying to sing without breathing in first.
Why do we live that way?
Don’t wait. Look around. Take stock. And start working towards the small changes that will (seriously) change your life.
Photo courtesy Katherine H
this is so, so true. i’ve had similar stories happen to everyone i know re: waiting until you’re leaving a place to finally do that thing for *someone else* that you never managed to do for yourself.
i think this has to do with both mindfulness (actually focusing on that thing you need to change — instead of becoming blind to it over time!) and being able to do something for yourself. it seems like those things that would only benefit *us* get continually pushed to the bottom of the list because someone else always comes first.
Yes–our needs and preferences seem negotiable, while the needs/preferences of a buyer/spouse/child/friend/acquaintance seem non-negotiable.
I think one way I need to change this is to not let myself get used to or get talked out of making changes that will improve my life. For example, in the house after the house with the patio, I insisted on painting the walls. We hired it done, and it was expensive, but as soon as it was done, I felt miles better about the house. And had we not been able to afford the painter, I could (and did) paint some walls myself. Every day, I appreciated the change that we’d made. Had I waited, to see if I would get used to the white and beige color scheme, I would have gotten used to it–but not in a good way. I just would have been used to perennial irritation.
Hello Heather,
I came over here after reading your (in)courage post. I loved it – so practical and beautiful. I could relate to that type A list making and changes in the way I grow in my faith over the years. I was also encouraged to read about simple faith activities with your kids. I have a three year old and I’ve been asking God to show me ways to share my faith with him. Thanks for helping me out. I love your writing style – I can relate to it and hear you speak.
When I came over here to your blog I just kept reading and reading (over my lunch hour at work!). Then I followed some links to pieces you’ve written outside of your blog. And I just wanted to encourage you because you encouraged me. I too have been trying to grow in my writing, to say yes to life, to go on adventures. I think God’s pleased with your stance and the way you’re embracing life as well as sharing it with others.
I’ll keep reading and hopefully encourage you along the way.
So, so encouraging, Mary. Thank you for your kind words and your spirit of generosity. I’m so thankful that my process of learning and figuring things out is proving helpful to you! More of that, Lord! More of that!