Thursday, September 6, 2012

Muchness

mad hatter by **tWo pInK pOSsuMs**
mad hatter, a photo by **tWo pInK pOSsuMs** on Flickr.
"You used to be much more muchier. You've lost your muchness."
~The Mad Hatter


I love this quote from Alice in Wonderland! And even though it sounds non-sensical, it makes sense. It's Lewis Carroll's version of "Carpe Diem". Lately, I've found myself examining who I am, who I've been, and who I want to be. And I have to ask myself, "Have I lost my muchness?" Am I living life to its fullest?

I like to think that I am. But I also must admit that it's very easy for me to put all of my time and energy into the "here and now" instead of thinking of the long-term. Will my kids remember me as the mom who worked all the time, or the mom who took time to help them with their homework, took them out for ice cream, or read a book with them?

I don't really have any answers, advice, or tutorials on how to keep your "muchness", but I'll be thinking on it. If I come up with any great ideas, I'll be sure to share.

Until then, what do you do to keep your "muchness"?

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Ego Check #1

Proverbs 25:17 - Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house - too much of you, and he will hate you.

I read this verse the other day and actually laughed out loud...because it's true.  As much as we want to be wanted, sometimes we can be too pushy.  As humans, we tend to push our way into friendships and relationships that aren't good for us.  We push to get our own way.  We honk our horn when someone makes us wait 5 whole seconds (*gasp!) after the red light turns to green.  We all need space sometimes.  If a friend is acting "distant", don't take it personally.  Let them know that you're there for them, and then give them space (i.e. back off). 

My best friend through high school and college and I had this down to a science!  We were ALWAYS together.  In college, we were either sleeping at my house or hers.  We took classes together.  Our breaks were together.  We hung out with our boyfriends together.  We pretty much shared all of our clothes.  We TP'd people's houses together...you know, all the normal stuff BFF's do.  :)  But every so often, enough was enough.  We would back off for about a week...sleep at our own houses.  We would go out with our boyfriends alone instead of double dating.  Then, we would start all over again with hanging out 24/7.  Neither of us got our feelings hurt.  We knew it wasn't personal, we just needed some space.

So this verse made me laugh, as it is a not-so-subtle-reminder that we can be annoying too.

Give people space when they need it.

The End.