Staying Young

Early this morning, I (sadly) had to send off my sister-in-law-to-be after a fun-filled week of sushi, sunshine, and very little sleep (for me, anyway!)  I had a great time while she visited - we read books, ate sushi, saw live gators in the wild, danced!!!!, ate sushi, layed out in the sun, rode in a paddleboat, and had a little sushi :-)  (Shout out to Miya Sushi and Chopstix for delicious food!)

I thoroughly enjoy enjoying life.  Why though, I wonder, do I (among many others, especially Americans) feel guilty about taking time to seek pleasure in the beauty and excitement around us?  Work, study, work, work, study - filling our days with efficiency and productivity . . . but to what end?  So that we have more toys and treasures or money in the bank or stock market than John and Susie down the street?  I took so much pleasure in spending quality one-on-one time with a new member of my family that I am starting to really appreciate and stop attacking my "relax" time.  I guess my statement about 'thoroughly' enjoying enjoying life is inaccurate: I lust after joy and contentment in learning and living and feel beaten down by guilt and anxiety about not being productive or efficient with my time and abilities!

This year in Florida has already come to pass more than two months.  I just discarded the "ish" from my life and moved to a place of literal warmth for healing and what has turned out to be a time of reflection.  My internal dialogue is getting some firm discipline and I am beginning to relish the moments where I feel "here, right now." 

I don't want to spend too much "blog" time on this topic, but I thought it worth mentioning because of the fun times that I had this week and even today - a nice walk with TK and the dog, and then later this afternoon I went out to the horse barn that TK volunteers at and rode horse.  WHAT A WONDERFUL AFTERNOON!  I hadn't really forgotten how much I like to ride or what therapeutic and exercise benefits riding and working with horses offers, but I was able to experience in it - REVEL in it - today.  No pressing time constraints or meetings or prior engagements.  No expectations.  I stayed to help some with chores when I finished riding, although I was quickly falling asleep from lack of rest this week . . .

Add to all of this that I am currently devouring the book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.  I have seen the movie twice and basked in all of it's wisdom and joy each time; the book, however, offers such detail and such amazing insight from this women's true 'adventure' . . . and I actually feel like I could write a book parallel to this.  Perhaps not of the caliber that Ms. Gilbert tells her tale but I relate to an absurd amount of her thoughts, characteristics, travel passions, and love for stories (as I am sure sooooo many readers and movie watchers can).

Oh - back to the title of this post - I give credit to my youthful-spirited sisterinlaw for her excitement and willingness to sight-see and play for the week.  Especially her encouragement a couple of nights where this old-wise-26 year old could have gone to bed at 7pm ;-) Thanks, KS/W!!!  We walked for hours, danced for hours (So. Much. Fun.), rested our bodies in the warm sunshine, and ate delicious sushi!!! :-)