glutton for home

At the start of every year my pastor goes on a rant of some new devotional book or style that he wants us all to do together. Sometimes he promotes a book, or maybe a "through in a year" type of Bible, but his ultimate goal is to get us into the Word. Along those same lines, he is also open about his own personal journey through Scripture and how he approaches his devotional time.

A few years ago he shared with us that each day he devotes two pages of his journal to such a time. On one page he lists at least ten things he is thankful for, trying to be aware of even the smallest things in life. On the other page he spends time using one acronym or another to talk to God (as if God prefers poetry to non-fiction).

Something about the "thankful" page stuck out to me. When 2010 began I decided to utilize a similar style of devotional time, putting emphasis on the thankful. To be honest, I haven't kept up with it as much as I'd like but there is joy in each list I create and a sense of peace. Shoot, even "peace" has made it to the list. As I look back at those lists I notice one thing I am especially thankful for on a regular basis: my home.

For whatever reason I have always had an inclination toward home: being home, playing house, decorating, cleaning, organizing, etc. I love the sense of coming home to a place that is my own. As an introvert I thrive on the energy I receive from being in my own space on my own time, usually alone. However, I grew up in a family of 6 and quickly learned to appreciate the white noise that comes along with it. Knowing someone is in the other room, across the hall, or making a meal in the kitchen comforts me like the scent of dinner cooking and the whir of the washing machine spinning my gym clothes like ocean waves. To me, this is home.

On the other hand, I am not unaccustomed to that feeling of "cabin fever". While I have probably never experienced true cabin fever seeing that I grew up in a warm, coastal climate, my love of home has occasionally given me the sense of needing to get out. So, to the beach, to the pool, to the mall, or a museum I go, only to return to that place of comfort I hold so dear. The fix for cabin fever doesn't take much--just a few hours away and already I'm looking forward to home. I've heard that "absence makes the hear grow fonder" and I'm beginning to think its true.

I'm a glutton for home projects: organizing, sorting, cleaning, throwing away, re-organizaing, cooking, etc. You name it, I probably enjoy doing it (except for those never-ending dishes in the sink). The order I attempt to create keeps me sane and welcomes me each morning as I wake and evening as I walk through the door.

Although my initial intent in ordering my home in such a way is to create a home for myself, I also hope to create a home for every person who walks through the door behind me. I want people to feel the peace I feel as I linger on the couch in my pajamas catching up on reality T.V. while surfing the internet and snacking on popcorn. My hope is that they might join in with me, or better yet, do what they need to do: raid the pantry for snacks, grab a magazine to sift through, snag a blanket to curl up with on the couch, or sit with me and shoot the breeze.

I've heard many times that "home is where the heart is". To be honest I am not totally sure what that means or if there is any truth to the statement. What I do know is that my heart is happy when I am at home.

Now, despite my near obsession with playing house I must admit it's not exactly perfect. Often times you'll find a cluttered pile of unopened mail, un-emtied recycling bins, and a dishwasher that needs running. Stains spot the carpet thanks to a bunch of awkwardly growing jr. high girls. My tub needs scrubbing, and the patio sweeping. No matter how hard I try nothing is ever perfect for long. But these things make home home as much as that whiff of dinner and whir of the wash. I'm not perfect so it's only appropriate that my home wouldn't be either.

Home might be where your heart is, or maybe you left it somewhere and you're missing it dearly. Home is what you make it where you make it; it's who you are and what you're about. Home is where you find peace and joy.

how to make world peace

I have a new theory. Three theories actually. Be it what they are, but these are theories that will 1) help you get (keep) friends, 2) bring joy to the world, 3) contribute to peace on earth, 4) make people love life (and themselves), and ultimately 5) bring good to the world. The possibilities are endless.

Theory # 1: Always tell your friends (and strangers?) that they should really go eat something...calling them "skinny bone jones" and/or telling them they are "too skinny" doesn't hurt either.

Theory #2: Always ask people if they've been working out. Even if the answer is "no", it's always a compliment to ask.

Theory #3: When all else fails, pick the weight you want to be (or used to be, or should be, or thought you were before you stepped on the scale the other day), print it on a label in big, bold letters, and stick it on the part of your scale that displays the number we are all so fearful of. This way, you will forever be the weight you want to be (or used to be, or should be, or thought you were before...well, you know).

Got more theories? Join me as I change the world. All theories welcome.

Whatever

It's my new word, my new mentality, my new theory on life. And so far it is working!

If you have read any of my previous posts you will know that I have struggled through the last year or so of "growing up." I've had anxiety, stress, frustrations (all of the above really) and I am looking forward to the end of 22. That being said, "whatever" has become my new motto. You should make it yours too. Why, you ask?

Said something a little bit harsh to your co-worker, turning down her idea with a dirty look you did not realize you gave when she was already having a bad day? Whatever. It won't kill her.

Just got paid and want to go shopping at your favorite store with your 15% off-because-it's-your-birthday card although most your paycheck should probably go to your credit card? Whatever. Credit card balance will be there with the next check too. That fabulous coat may not be.

Only went to 2 out of 5 financial classes your boss "strongly suggested" you try going to this year because 2 of those nights you simply did not want to go? Whatever. I'm a big girl. I can figure out my own ish. Who said I needed a will at 22 anyways?

Finished off your pantry because you just couldn't seem to get full or feel satisfied by all things GFDF? Whatever. Tomorrow is a new day and who said you could not eat peanut butter on, well, everything non-peanut butter in your pantry?

Gave attitude to your co-worker (not above mentioned) because you got verbally slapped on the wrist by her for no good reason? Whatever. It's not my problem she is anal. I didn't want to help load her car anyways.

I guess I've now revealed a little more about myself than perhaps I should have, but this mentality is a great new way of life! When the going gets tough-whatever! Life goes on. I'll make more mistakes, screw up a few more times, and ultimately make a fool of myself (or go broke), but what's the use of stressing to the point of anxiety, depression, frustration, and the list goes on? I think I may have just created my own version of McMama's Not Me Monday. Maybe this can be my Whatever Wednesday (oops, it's Monday). Maybe I'll become fabulous and famous of my new blog idea. Until then, whatever.

Pet Peeve

I think it is incredibly rude to cut people off in the middle of their sentence. It is especially rude to never acknowledge your criminal offense nor go back to their original statement.

Why do I think it is rude do you ask?

It is rude because it implies that you don't actually care what I have to say.

It is rude because it tells me you think what you have to say is more important.

It is rude because it shows you are impatient.

It is rude because it implies you have all the answers and don't care to know what I think.

It is rude because it disrupts my train of thought.

It is rude because it brings the conversation back to you and your thoughts.

It is rude because it drives me insane.

It is rude because it hurts my feelings.

Being cut off implies the other person was never listening to you in the first place. Even when "quietly" paying attention to you they are never really paying attention because the only thing they can think of is what they plan to say next. I cannot say I have never done this before as it is is easy to do, it is part of conversation. But I can pat myself on the back for trying very hard not to cut others off, almost always letting others get a word in edgewise, and regularly reverting conversations back to let others finish their thoughts. Toot, toot. There went my horn.

This lack of etiquette makes me appreciate the great friends in life who try their best NOT to cut you off, but when they do, always make a point to redirect the conversation to its original direction. I have a close friend who is very good about doing this. To this friend I say THANK YOU. You remind me that some people really are aware of their actions and care about the person they are talking to. It is NOT all about you.

If you are going to cut someone off, do it on the road-at least you'll never be face to face with that person.