This year, I’m trying to anchor myself much more to being content. But this week, I forgot about that goal. HA! It’s just about the middle of the January. Logic might tell you that I just might be in trouble if I’ve forgotten about my word(s) already. ;)
I haven’t been content with where I live for a long time. I love my family and friends who live in the area. I really do love my hometown. But, I started saying I wanted to move away when I was a sophomore in college. I had dreams of living in a town I’ve always loved and being surrounded by a different group of people. I liked the idea of a new community and a new challenge. But I’ve had opportunities to make that dream happen, and I’ve turned them down. The opportunity hasn’t been what I wanted it to be; I haven’t felt ready; my financial goals were different than what I would be able to accomplish by moving; and if I’m being really honest with you (and myself!), it’s truly never felt quite right. I’ve learned dreaming and doing are different.
I’ve slowly but surely become hyper aware that I’m chasing two dreams….in two separate places. It’s hard enough to accomplish one goal, but it’s even harder when you’re not entirely focused on accomplishing it in one place. One conversation lead to a handful of others this week, and then I sat down and completed part 1 of Lara Casey’s goal setting series. There are few things that will make you feel better than writing down all of the good things that happened to you in a year. My list has over 50 grateful things on it because I wanted to keep going when I realized I was starting to feel better. Seriously, bad day? Write down what you’re grateful for or as many good things you can think of. #gamechanger
In doing this, I realized a lot of the things I’m grateful for from 2014 center around people, places, and opportunities that only exist because of where I live. I realized that I don’t need to move away in order to make things happen. In fact, it might even be far better to stay where I am. That, right there, made me feel as though a weight had been lifted. Is moving something I’ll never do? I have no idea. Honestly, I don’t think that far ahead! But I couldn’t quite place the feeling I had until I realized I was feeling content and happy and hopeful. One of my words, and half of its definition, for 2015. So, for now, I’m content with my path and even more so with where I live. I’ll take it because it’s progress.
Stay tied to Carly is Inspired…