In the month traditionally known for being "wedding season," it can be easy to become discontent, to wish we were at a different stage of life, that things were like they were back then, that we were as great/smart/loved/pretty/happy as that other person.
Something I'm having to work on these days is trying to stop wishing I was further down the road in life. "Someday, when I'm at my dream job…" "Maybe someday I'll be able to do this…" "It will be so much better when this is what my day looks like…" or "Man, it would be so much better if I could just be at this point in my life already!"
Contentment is hard, especially living in a Western society that constantly screams, "Progress!" "Ambition!" and "More!" in our ears all the time. Discontent is everywhere we look. It's in the makeup ad that promises better, clearer skin and fewer wrinkles. It's in the internet ads you read on your commute that promise "Make money doing what you love!" as you dread going to your day job. It's even in the comparison we oftentimes get into in the vintage community over that girl with the perfect figure, the huge bakelite collection, the amazing blog stats, or the Si & Am skirt. (Haha.)
For me, (I'm gettin' all personal and Bible-y here for a moment) this quote from a Christian leader in the Bible named Paul sums it up, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through [God] who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:12-13)" There are some situations in life that are unbearable, that are so difficult, that are so hard I'm not sure how I will stand up under the pressure. I know that when I ask Jesus to help me carry a load that is too heavy for me, he's always there and ready to help. I can be content in difficult situations because God gives me the strength to get through another day, and I know I'm not going to crumble.
So join with me and fight the man! Rail against the machine of our society! Wave the contentment banner! Find those things, however small, that you can be content about in the moment you are in. Wear the dress that reminds you how awesome your legs are. Take a walk out in nature to admire God's creativity. Make time to grab coffee with that amazing friend you're so glad you have.
I'll be tweeting and Instagramming something I have to be content about everyday using the hashtag #JuneContentment, and I'd love for you to join me! Use the phrase #JuneContentment, and I'll re-tweet/re-gram one every day. Let's help the vintage community embrace contentment a little more this month and, at the same time, remind ourselves of why this moment right now is great!
I love this time of year after a cold winter, all the flowers blooming and trees greening up. It seems like I can't be outside enough! I blog on the porch, eat on the porch, knit on the porch, all things on the porch that I can manage! (It also helps me not have to stare at our messy house while we pack to move!)
There are two beautiful trees that I walk past everyday when I go home from work. I have no idea what kind they are, but their vibrant pink and purple flowers are such a welcome sight after the bare branches of winter. It makes me think about changing life seasons, about how different I am now than I was five, three, or even just one year ago. It was only one year ago that I graduated college and got married, but it feels like I've grown exponentially as a person since then!
Now when I was a kid, my mother had me sign a contract (I'm pretty sure it was on a napkin) that stated she warned me that I would probably regret going out wearing far-too-large-for-me, rolled-up-at-the-waist, bright yellow, hugely baggy pants with a tank top that had fruit on it and a Rastafarian-type hat. She had me sign a napkin releasing her of the liability that would inevitably be placed on her when I saw the pictures of myself in later years, exclaiming, "Mother, why did you let me go out like that?!"
And you know what? That WAS the dumbest thing to wear. Ever. Even worse than the homemade Altoid tin utility belts. I totally agree that it was hideous. However, my mom let me do it. And somehow the boldness to wear huge yellow pants has morphed over the years into the boldness to wear bright vintage hats, to live in other countries, to marry a military man. I'm not a different person; I've just found better, less confused ways to express who I am and channeled that independent spirit for good causes.
This month we're talking about things that shape our identities and about allowing ourselves to explore different and possibly more accurate ways to express ourselves. There will be some controversial posts, some great discussions, and I hope that we will learn a bit more of how to accept who we are and love those around us, even if they're different!
