back to basics

Some say you learn the most when times are tough.  I’m inclined to agree.   Whether it’s in my personal life, or simply looking at the big picture around me, it’s the trying times that seem to bring about the most change. 

Several years ago I learned from a wise friend that when my surroundings were organized, I was much happier.  When my house was clean, I experienced a sense of accomplishment and comfort.  When you’re surrounded by chaos, you tend to feel a bit chaotic.

On a broader level, I see changes in people as technology advances.  The more connected we become through cell phones and laptops to our careers, and even friends and family, the more we seem to lose our own sense of self, and the more angry we become.  Instead of having time to ourselves to even perform mundane tasks, we feel the need to talk on the phone while grocery shopping or driving.  We can’t enjoy a night at home with friends, family, or just by ourselves without checking in at work through e-mail.  We can’t take a day of vacation without checking our voice mail at work.  We tend to think things will fall apart if we aren’t connected, yet that never ends up happening if we do take some well-deserved time away.

Over the past several months I’ve realized this connectedness was making me extremely unhappy.  I didn’t enjoy being at everyone’s beck and call.  So I made a few changes.  Just because the phone rang didn’t mean I had to answer it.  If I needed time to myself, I could keep that time for me, I didn’t have to give it away to friends.  I didn’t have to check into work on my earned vacation days, or even when I was sick enough not to go to work.  After all, there’s a reason you’re staying home.

Every time I made the decision to keep the time for me, rather than give it away, it built my happiness up just a little bit more.  I started a journey towards contentedness, and this is a path I intend to stay on.