I received an interesting comment from Therese on the previous post. Actually, I think all the comments I ever receive are interesting, but she posed a good question: What does that mean, practically speaking, to you?
Well, the first thing that came to mind was the other night when I took my daughter and her boyfriend out to dinner at Applebee's. We were sitting at a table and, with one of the chairs empty, I decided I'd just make myself comfortable and put my feet up in the chair. I didn't worry about what someone might think and it wasn't like I had my feet on the table. C'mon, I do have some manners. We were there to relax, enjoy the food and each other's company. And that's what we did. We didn't worry about how loud we laughed. What was important was that we were laughing together! I think sometimes we get so wrapped up in the way we think everything should be in life that we lose the ability to enjoy it.
I remember one time when I visited my Grandmother after she moved into assisted living. She opened the door to her apartment wearing a robe and not much of anything else. She came out halfway through the door to let me in, but I protested because there were people in the hall who would see her. She pushed me aside, came out in the hallway, and did a little shimmy as she said, "Well, maybe I'll just show 'em what I've got."
She was about 85 years old and this was the most hysterical thing I'd ever seen her do!! This was a woman who had always before been so prim and proper, everyhing in it's place and a place for everything. It was absolutely fabulous to see her do something so goofy.
Anyway, I think it's about living life to it's fullest, enjoying every moment, and not taking everything (least of all yourself) too seriously.
7 comments:
I work on not being embarassed every day...some days more successful than others...but I think that is step 1 in enjoying life...not getting caught up in the hang-ups over ourselves and what "should" embarass us...I think I would have loved to hand with your GMa.
If only everyone approached life that way...
Hi Phyllis Renee,
I followed this over from FTN's blog and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your 100 list and these recent posts.
I too enjoy just being myself and not worrying about what others think (at least most of the time).
Your story about your Grandma reminds me of my own. She lived down the hall in a senior living apartment complex from the bishop of our state's Catholic diocese, and that woman, oh my gosh, would say or ask him anything with no shame, then wish him a good day with a little twinkle in her eye. They very much respected each other, but wow, some days, I'd get on the elevator with her after she'd cornered the bishop and remind her that he was closer to God than she was going to be if she kept up the way she was. She'd just cackle and said she'd put a good word in to God when she got there before the bishop.
She pretty much set the bar for me to just live my life and not worry too much about the embarassing things.
Bogart, yeah, Grandma was a hoot and a half!
Aphron, I'm trying to get the word out. There's no sense why others have to wait until they're 40+ before they get the massage.
Cocotte, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Hope you find it worth returning :o)
Girl, I'm beginning to realize the further I get from religiosity the closer I am to God. And I thought the story about your grandma went well with today's scripture: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you . . . . " (I probably lost a few readers with that one)
Its a shame that some of us have to wait until old age to care that little about what other people might think.
Now that's the best way to hang out with friends or family, just comfortable and relaxed.
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