Monday, November 9, 2015

Downsizing Life

I think the longer you live the lonelier you get.

Not lonely in the sense of depression or destitute of companionship ... but in the gradual elimination of clutter in your life and the slow process of being comfortable with yourself.

It's not to say I'm antisocial, enjoy the company of others or being the focus of everyone's attention because I do relish and delight in these things.

It is to say I don't need as much to be happy anymore.

Don't get me wrong, I wish I had more money, a house on an island that never gets cold and my football team always win ... but I don't need them to be happy.

What I do need these days is the love of my wife, the joy of our home, the conviction I'm making a positive difference, a few good friends, and venues to give my talents to those who need them.

I know the things I enjoy ... the ocean, the smell of the Marsh, sunny skies and warm weather, good music, fun times, the pride of the kids accomplishments, the girls laughter, and when Sarah and I share the magic only she can give.

And I know the things that only bring me frustration ... meaningless crowds, grandstanding of any kind, arrogant people, divisiveness and those who take more than they give.

The longer I live the more I seem to be downsizing.

Honestly I find it enjoyable because there's not as much to keep up with leaving me to focus on the more important things in life.

I'm glad I've done the things I've done in life ... been to the places I've been, met the people I've met and have lots of stories to tell about the good and the bad of my life.

But I'm more into doing my best to celebrate and enjoy now and only dredge up the past if it's useful to the present.

It's a dreary, damp, chilly, rainy day ...the kind I don't like but I find myself happily anticipating the joy of the girls coming home tonight ... our family visiting this week ... cleaning the stairs ... and the surprise combined with horror on Sarah's face when she finds I've made  frozen Lasagna for dinner!

Life just doesn't get any better than that!