Simply And Quietly

This week I came across a post by Krista O'Reilly Davi-Digui called What If All I Want Is A Mediocre Life?  Krista is tired of the voices telling her to compete and improve and strive for excellence.  It's wearing her out, because what she really wants is a simple, quiet life.

I liked most of what she had to say, although I disagree with the word "mediocre" to describe that life.  Taking a break and enjoying the moments that surround us is hardly unremarkable or ordinary.  Simple and quiet can be beautiful.

Why are we so hard on ourselves?  It's too easy to get caught in competition, to feel like you're never measuring up to everyone else. Even though I'm working on being the best me I can be, often times that doesn't feel good enough.

I'm almost fifty.  Most likely, more of my days are behind me than ahead.  Time suddenly feels short, with so much left to do.  That definitely gives me pause, and I feel like I need to make purposeful decisions as I figure out what to do with the rest of my life.  There's pressure and anxiety and a little fear, all coming from within.

But maybe I'm meant to live simply and quietly.

It doesn't mean I don't have goals and dreams and wishes upon a star.  Will I ever write a book?  Will I travel the world?  Will I make a difference?  

I hope so.  I'm planning on it.  I won't win the Nobel Prize, or climb Mt. Everest, or find a cure for cancer.  But maybe the small things, the everyday joys, will be just as important. I'm a good mom, a good wife, a good friend. I work hard to help make our business successful.

The rest of the answers will come, just as they have before.

Simply and quietly.

I'm linking up today with my friends at The Blended Blog for Friday Loves.  Head over to see the great things Deena has rounded up this week!