(My ideal place to be now!)
“Man surprised me most about humanity. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.” Dalai Lama
If we continually observe the world, it’s really filled with sad news, war, war, and war! Yet in the midst of the seemingly absurd, grotesque, insane, and obscene, we have to carry on living.
My husband and I were having one of our ‘philosophical chats’ when he quoted Dalai Lama, it hit me like a sledgehammer; am I working too hard?
However, after a brief soul-searching I came to this verdict: I love life, I really enjoy living even when I’m working hard and juggling multiple responsibilities with kids screaming for my attention, countless office deadlines and uncooperative plots ( my novels and several other manuscripts I’m working on).
I am absolutely certain that I enjoy my idiosyncratic attitude to living because life has no part two, there are no dress rehearsals or a delete button. We take what we have, use it wisely and hope for the best, and I think we ought to strive to find joy in life in any way we can.
December is a month of frenzy cum feverish spending, planning, office parties. Why not pause for a while, enjoy the snow-capped mountains, (if there’s one in your vicinity), the fake reindeer, and annoying Christmas jingles that normally grated on your nerves.
I intend to, I hope you’ll all enjoy everyday living.
Have a fantastic weekend friends!
Much love, always. 🙂
Seyi Sandra David 
Yes living can be hard because most of us don’t know how. 🙂
You’re right Kim and like Kenneth Branagh would say, ‘like lighten up, just enjoy life, smile more, laugh more, and don’t get so worked up about things.’ We can do it. 🙂
We would feel so much better.
You’re right Kim.
Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
Thanks for the RT my friend, have a nice weekend!
🙂
Enjoy a wonderful & joyous Holiday Ms. Sandra.
Very well written, my friend.
I believe we all (mostly) do what we think is the best at the moment we doing it – we don’t know if it few moments later out there in the future turns into a wrong decision – besides so we all could use our ears more or better and learn from past mistakes without getting stuck in the past – fastness doesn’t always implies success and reflection doesn’t always mean failure – the “winner” isn’t always the one who starts first… 🙂
‘hehehe’ – just see I was too fast – forget the most important, wishing you and yours a wonderful weekend… 😀
Yeah you are my friend, I’m fast too! Do have a lovely week!
Cheers. 🙂 🙂
You’re right my friend.
That’s why enjoying life is a conscious effort, a deliberate act. We can dwell on the negative part of our lives and be depressed but I believe there’s something positive about our lives as well. Our decisions may be bad like you rightly wrote but we can always learn from our mistakes. That’s the essence of living – learning.
I appreciate your visit and comment, do have a pleasant weekend!
🙂
Thank you for this healthy reminder, Seyi.
Blessings on your weekend ~ Wendy
Thanks for reading Wendy, I hope you’ll have a restful weekend!
Much love. 🙂
A useful reminder of what are the most important things in our life. We sometimes need to pause and enjoy the moment. Thank you for your post, Seyi.
You’re absolutely right Rachel, enjoying life doesn’t have to be an expensive project; simple things could give us joy.
Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it!
🙂
The words of the quote ring true for so many. We need to make the most of each day, whether that’s multi-tasking or for taking a day off to enjoy our beautiful surroundings.
Yes, we need to take time off to relax and unwind. I appreciate your visit and comment my friend.
Blessings. 🙂
Sadly, people don’t appreciate the ‘everyday’ until it’s too late.There’s always joy to be found in our life…even if it’s a breadcrumb…it’s there.
Lovely message, Seyi.
You’re right Jill. Sometimes I wonder why we chase after material things while neglecting what really matter most, our loved ones.
Glad you like the post, I appreciate your visit and comment.
🙂
beautiful
Thanks Bonny. 🙂
I agree with all the comments, we ought to pause for a while and relax, that’s how to lead a meaningful life. Great post as usual, looking forward to seeing you soon.
Cheers.
Christy Nelson
Thanks Christy, glad you love my post. See you soon my friend!
Much love. 🙂
You’re welcome Seyi.
Regards. 🙂
🙂 🙂
Wonderful post, Seyi. I spent 10 years in Thailand learning to live life- not sure I succeeded, but life is all around us if just look up or down or all around.
I think you succeeded Dannie, most times when we think we didn’t, we actually did. Take care of yourself my friend.
We all appreciate life in different ways, I’m the same as you, it’s busy at the moment but I am enjoying it although a proper sleep pattern wouldn’t go amiss. The main thing is that you enjoy what it is you do and I am glad that not only do you enjoy it but you took the time to actually think on it. I love a good Christmas jingle although working nights, I miss all the music in shops and so forth so it doesn’t really feel like it this year, perhaps on the big day I will truly appreciate the season.
Night working is tough Ste J, although I’m writing this after midnight but I still catch a few hours sleep. I hope you rest during the day.
I think our attitude is what really matters in life, whatever we do, we could either suck or change it until we’re satisfied. Life is not for the faint hearted though.
Thanks for stopping by, chat with you again soon my friend.
Cheers.
I manage to get around six hours in a morning but I feel like I am getting less into my days for some reason but never mind, it’ll soon be at an end and then I will be on he normal shifts again.
Attitude is a big thing, if we don’t help ourselves, nobody else will so I do like to keep upbeat and look for ways to better myself, life is something to be lived and the best way is to throw ourselves into it.
You’re right Ste J, nobody can really help us the way we can. I hope you stop the night shift soon and I wish you happy holidays!
Take care of yourself my friend!
Blessings to you.
Hi Seyi. I have a few blogging friends like you, with lots of activity, especially those of you with kids. I don’t know how you do it. I’ve never had that kind of energy and I admire it. Glad you’re enjoying life just the way it is. God Bless.
Thanks Lori. I wonder how I cope too but I guess strategy and organisation comes into play. I always prioritise what I need to do and stick to it. I appreciate your visit and comment my friend.
Blessings to you. 🙂
A good read Seyi and great words of wisdom.
Have an awesome week.
Mojisola
http://www.mojintouch.com
Thanks Mojisola, I wish you a pleasant week too.
Blessings. 🙂
This is a brilliant quote from the Dalai Lama, and I feel like you, so busy but really enjoying life and living with all I have. Have a great week Seyi!
That’s good Ute, been busy yet enjoying everyday life is a gift. I appreciate your visit my friend and I hope you’ll have a great weekend!
🙂
Great post, as usual, with a deeply insightful quote. 🙂
Thanks sis, appreciate your visit my friend! 🙂
Ahh my dear friend, living in the moment, enjoying life even when it’s at its craziest and most frustrating and demanding and all the rest..life’s rich pattern and let’s face it, change is here to stay no matter what we say! I would love to gaze upon those mountains right now too, but instead I am gazing on my mess of a living room, trying not to panic, while catching up with blogging before signing off next week for Christmas…all the kids coming home and can’t wait! Thank you for filling my heart with joy in your wise words dear Seyi. Sending much love and hugs to you and I hope that your Christmas planning is going as smoothly as possible…apart from the usual bit of chaos of course 😉 😀 🙂
Oh my! I’m so sorry to read this. My living room is not that different. I’m trying to work on my book today but I didn’t sleep well. It’s one of those crappy days when one feels lethargic and tired. However, reading your words makes my heart pulsate with joy too.
I love Christmas, strangely this year, I haven’t done a lot of buying yet I’m not panicky, will be when the kids keep badgering me for expensive toys.
It’s always a pleasure reading your comment my friend, and sometimes, don’t tidy up, just relax.
I’ll be popping over to your site soon before the holidays.
Much love to you Sherri! 🙂 🙂
I hope you sleep better tonight my dear friend…so glad to share some joy with you 🙂 Take care, feel better (and oh, how I know those days of lethargy, so difficult..) and sending much love and peace to you dear Seyi… 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thanks my friend! I’ve managed to get few winks in-between Xmas shopping. I sincerely appreciate your kindness Sherri.
Much love and blessings to you and your family. 🙂
Hello Dear Seyi, Just popping in to wish you and your lovely family a very Happy Christmas and a New Year filled with joy, peace and blessings galore! I will catch up with you when I return to blogging after the new year, just wrapping up here now before my boys arrive tomorrow and still a lot left to do…phew! I’m sure you are very busy with plenty to do, but I hope you are able to take the time out and really relax and enjoy a wonderful Christmas when it is all done and excitement and thrills from your beautiful children takes over 🙂 I look forward to seeing you in 2016…and I can promise you I will be hitting my revisions and edits hard on my memoir…I’ve got to do it!!! Much love and blessings right back to you my dear friend. See you soon!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 xxxxxxx
Thank you so much for your continued support and love throughout the year , I sincerely appreciate it. And I hope that 2016 would be the year we would meet in person, giggling over cups of tea as we poured our eyes into your brand new memoir. It’s like I’m writing it with you because I could visualise it, blame it on my hyperactive imagination.
I had a lovely Christmas, I hope yours was great too. 🙂 I can’t believe 2016 is a mere three days away. I believe the new year would be a time of great achievement for you, a time of fulfilment, health and joy to all you hold dear.
Take care of yourself my friend and see you soon in the new year.
My love and warm regards to your lovely family.
Much love to you Sherri, and may God bless you! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Dear Seyi, I am blessed beyond words by your beautiful message, which I am only just getting to since popping in briefly to the Summerhouse before returning to blogging properly, soon I hope! I am emerging from a wonderful Christmas spent with my family, and now I can hardly believe that the boys have gone back home and it is all over with! But what memories. I am so very grateful for all that I am given by God above. I hope that you had a most wonderful Christmas too with your darling children and family. Oh Seyi, how wonderful that you share such a vision with me of the publication of my memoir, of sitting by my side with a cup of tea and of meeting in person! We must make it happen my dear friend! But first, I must resolve to return to my revisions, I haven’t done any writing for weeks, but with prayer and faith and hard work, I hope to complete my memoir and pray for the blessing of publication. What a beautiful message of hope and joy and anticipation you give to me. Thank you so much very much for all your love and support this past year also, I am blessed richly to have met you here in the blogosphere…and I am most grateful for your amazing hyperactive imagination, lol 😀 You are an amazing, wonderful, fantastic person, you bring light and joy and hope to many here and I wish for you the very same for the year ahead. So I love and leave you with a message for the Happiest of New Year’s, may it be filled to the brim with every good thing, as we both remember that the Lord’s mercies are new every morning! Amen! Much love to you and your lovely family dear Seyi, God bless you and see you in 2016!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤
Happy New Year to you Sherri! Apologies for just replying now, it’s been great and the year is off to a flying start. My youngest son is celebrating his birthday today but then I thought, let me check my friends and I saw your wonderful comment, thank you so much, it’s been an absolute pleasure knowing you and I would be so happy when we meet in person.
I pray this year would see us achieving far above our expectations, and one of the most important factor that could facilitate that is good health, and emm… (money! 🙂 I pray we would be abundantly blessed this year and I have faith that it’s going to happen because God always bless His children.
.
Sherry, although I urge you to find time to work on your memoir nevertheless but don’t feel pressurised to do it quickly, take your time and produce a stunning masterpiece which you can do. I am certain it would be smashing, judging by the contents of your website.
I would be visiting your website soon, I hope we’ll have recurrent celebrations throughout this year!
Much love to you dear Sherri and God bless you my friend!
🙂 🙂
What an absolutely beautiful message, oh Seyi, I can’t tell you enough how much it means to me. I take everything you say to heart and will hold onto it and God’s promises for us both. I need to hold the line, keep pressing on but yes, you’re right, I can’t rush it. I get frustrated because I want to get my memoir finished, but I also know that to rush it just to do that would be disastrous. You are amazing, wonderful and wise my dear friend. Let’s pray for abundant blessings indeed, for our families and for those celebrations in anticipation throughout the year. I am so glad your year is off to a flying start and a very (belated) happy birthday to your dear son :-)Oh what joy and love and laughter within family life. We will catch up very soon, I have yet to put up a new year’s post, still got Chistmas there! I am slow to get going, but I am working on other behind-blog stuff I need to sort out first. Hopefully my readers will understand, but I will try and get a post out by the end of the week, or beginning of next week at the latest. Let’s see. Meanwhile, I send you much love for the new year and beyond and God bless you righly. See you soon my dear friend! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Great quote Seyi , and one we all need to read from time to time. I have been guilty quite often of living in the future instead of enjoying now, so I have been working on that for a while, but a good reminder never hurts, thanks !!!
Thanks Stephie, yeah, we need to read more of such quotes. We’re all guilty of that in a way, always planning for the future while the present is begging for our attention.
I’m grateful for your visit my friend! 🙂
This is a great reminder to just appreciate where we are in the here and now. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading my friend, do enjoy your weekend! (tomorrow is Friday!)
TGIF! lol… no problem…hope you enjoy yours as well.