I wanted to talk today about making time for things that mean a lot to you. You know what I'm talking about. That cup of coffee or tea in the afternoon that perks you up for the rest of the day; the yoga class in the evening that energizes and works out your mind, body, and soul; the bowl of ice cream regardless of celebration or reason. All of these things simply because. It seems that we classify the items and events in our lives that bring us the most joy by calling them ‘guilty pleasures’. We take the most liberating times of our lives—yes ice cream can be liberating—and we shame ourselves or we justify our actions to others. With each individual comes different beliefs, stress-relievers, and times of reflection.

The truth is we need to feel free to want what makes us happy.

There is nothing wrong with leaving a dinner early to snuggle in bed and read a book. Or canceling plans to put your fears and successes on the yoga mat. Or eating ice cream for dinner and chocolate for dessert (only sometimes, guys). There is nothing wrong with simply being yourself. Even above, I felt the need to justify that I only change my diet sometimes. When really, I do it when I want, because this life is mine. It isn’t yours. And as much as I love those that are around me and those that I love and cherish, it is exhausting to remember why you want to do the things you do.

I like to be by myself. I like to explore, travel, hibernate, and live by myself. Others do not like to be alone. I like companionable silence and enjoyable cohabitation. I don’t like interruptions and frustrations that I can’t solve right away.

I like to bake large quantities of several types of food at the same time and give them away to those I love. Just because.

I like to do a lot of things just because it feels right in my mind, my heart, and my soul. Sometimes, it isn’t the best option for my body or my weight, but I don’t want to justify my life anymore with such a narrow focus. This sort of justification is not only in regards to other people. It is also to myself. When my heart is happy, my mind likes to reverse its happiness; whatever has just made me happy prior is now a cause of my own unhappiness, and I find myself blaming or judging my actions based on the season or the event or [insert reason here].

I’m on this journey of life to discover how my heart and my mind can be united without need for justification or reason. I want these parts of myself to coexist, be together beside one another in harmony without burden or loathing; I want the inner tug-of-war to cease and my soul to flourish.

I just want to be Me.

In the great words of Dr. Seuss,

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.”

What makes you happy? What makes your heart, soul, mind, and body come together as one?

xxoo

[image of Mary Oliver quote]