How many people do you know that are truly happy and satisfied with their lives?
Ever wondered what it would be like to confidently say “this is the best life ever”? I did, so I went on a quest to find out who was saying this to themselves and others.
Here is what I have found so far…
The couple who have been married for 41 years and talk so lovingly to each other, actually are searching for the next new start up and start over and are migrating all over in search of the “perfect” place to live. The upside to this is that they have travelled the world and shared their experiences with others to enrich people’s lives, mine included.
The cheery young woman who gives so much of her time and energy to others and always seems to have the most uplifting and positive things to say while laughing and teasing people? She will tell you in private, when pointedly asked, that she feels disconnected from others and struggles to fit in. The positive note here? She is gifted at getting others to see how unique and exceptional they are and a huge supporter of mine.
The guy who owns the 8 bedroom, beautifully renovated, what I would consider, “dream home”? Sadly, he has been trying to sell it for years so he and his wife can move back to the city and be closer to his work and not be 3 hours apart when he is on shift at the job he is passionate about. It’s ok though, because there was enough room to house their daughter and her children when she needed a landing place between relocating from province to province and he got some valuable time in with the grandkids. Win. win.
Then there was the guy who owned lots of property, was in the local politics, made lots of money and gave to charity, lived in a gorgeous house, has a large and supportive family. Then one day he became the political scapegoat and withdrew from the political scene, sold the properties and moved his family elsewhere. I have seen him a few times since and know he has built up a successful company in his new location and he and his family are thriving even more now because there are more opportunities where they now live.
Or how about the woman who lives alone with her army of dogs and is devout about her religion? I thought surely a spiritual person could give me the answers I was seeking to how to create the best life ever. On the outside her life seems pretty peaceful and full of love. Her story about the night terrors she experiences was surprising and how the dogs are her companions and protection, and how even now into her sixties, the fears caused from the trauma of childhood struck me the most deeply. I knew I had touched on something important here that I was relating too as I could feel a new sense of alertness come alive inside of me. The kind that says, listen…this story matters. And the part that grabs me most? She didn’t let her past be her present and is the gentlest person I have ever met. Her love for people and animals and her inquisitive, but unjudgemental, nature make you feel an irresistible draw to her like a moth to the flame. She does not push her beliefs on anyone and lets you awaken to the sense of your own self and that is a rare and beautiful thing.
All these people that I know and have listened to and still see from time to time have left an indistinct mark on me that is prompting me to examine a way to enhance this life in order to feel grateful for what is there already and still have that sense of peace, fulfillment and happiness.
So why is it important to embellish your life?
I think we are all asking for more out of life. As we sift and sort through the things we like or don’t like and morph ourselves into more balanced human beings, we unexpectedly share ourselves with others and make lasting impressions on each other that give us clues on that what it looks like on the outside is not how it is on the inside and that is ok. I see it now as if we are striving, we are thriving and it is all working out anyway. What message could be better than that?
Except perhaps, one day it is you who will have an impact on someone’s idea of what I would call living an embellished life.