Welcome to Pondering with a Purpose -
This is my weekly hop where I post a prompt and you get to write to it on your - come back here and add it to my linky and then we all get to go read what you wrote!
I started Pondering with a Purpose because -- simply put -- I am a writer - - that is what I do (I just can't help myself)! And although I love following all the hops, I wanted to see if I could bring out some creativity in not only myself, but some of my blogger friends as well.
The rules are really easy:
1. Grab the Pondering with a Purpose Badge (in my sidebar)
2. Look at the week's prompt
3. Post something on your blog that relates to the prompt - it can be a story, a poem, a picture -- anything you want it to be.
4. Come back here and add the URL from your post to the linky list below.
5. Go check out the other bloggers who have added their links to the list.
6. AND most of all.... Have fun!
This Week's prompt: Content
Content or living your dream?
Are you living your dream.. you know what I'm talking about.. the dream you always thought you would be fulfilling.. the dream you had where your life would be perfect and you would everything you ever wanted....
ME? I wanted to be a teacher, with a loving husband and five kids.... think I'm living that dream? If you do... then you have not been around for very long! My 'teacher' dreamed died right around the time I graduated college and kept hearing, "When are you starting law school?" By the time I realized law school was wonderful and all... but I didn't want to be a lawyer... I was married, 27 and working to keep a roof over my head. Then when eldest son arrived - I was 29 - it was way too late to think about giving up an income for a year to get a teaching credential. Fast forward 23 years and that 'year' never became a reality. So... teaching didn't happen.
5 kids? Well after having my third and realizing that I was in a 'really bad' situation I knew that bringing another one into that situation was not a great idea. As the years went by adoption became a fleeting thought and then I realized that wouldn't be fair to the three I had as they were shuttled off to their father on weekends and their new sibling would be left behind.... so that dream sort of went up in a puff of smoke as well.
Which brings me to my pondering prose.... am I content? The simple answer is: sometimes.
I have been very fortunate to have the ability to stay employed and keep a roof over my head.
I have been very fortunate to have healthy children who --- for the most part --- have stayed out of trouble.
I have been very fortunate to be able to utilize my creative outlet in a meaningful way.
do I want more? You bet I do! I don't think we are meant to travel this road alone, but after 19 years of singleness I'm not sure I would even know how to begin to share my life with someone. I have this fantasy of finding the perfect person... but the reality is that I've done nothing about making that fantasy come true. I keep putting my children first... and I don't know if that will ever change. In fact... I would love to move to Alaska, but won't do that as it would be way too far away from my kids. So I guess the answer to my own pondering question is that I am content...for now....
Who knows what the future holds?
I would love to read your thoughts on this subject with by your linked up post, or your comments... or better yet... both!
Happy Pondering
Okay you...and me....with the great minds thinking alike. I just published a post entitled "Writing Engaging Content!! Not the "content" you meant and expressed so eloquently, but oh my! how weird is that?
ReplyDeletetoo weird to link up? Because I am certain that I could say a whole lot about content as you reference too. Actually.....my post might just be about both. You'll have to see for yourself.
And yes...I do think it's never too late to find that "someone". The future still holds amazing and unsuspected possibilities and surprises, I am certain.
yes.... link up!!!! and I am now in search or words with multiple meanings.... I am thinking they make great pondering posts.....
DeleteLinked!
DeleteAlso, I had an article published today!!! It's one I did as a guest post for someone a while ago; but still!!
I am still kind of stunned.
Since I admire your writing skills/talent so much, I would love any feedback. Truly. If I want them to accept another article; I'll have to keep busting out my big game! LOL
It can be found HERE
I agree! Words with multiple meanings would be fun! It would be neat to see what directions people take with it. :)
DeleteI love your article Les!
thanks so much! I appreciate it very much!
DeleteI do believe there is a soul mate for everyone. I met a couple on our last cruise who went to high school together. They each married someone else. They reunited at their 50th class reunion and have been married for 10 years. They were a wonderfl couple and we had a great time with them.
ReplyDeletewow... that is truly a love story....
DeleteI would love to log on to your blog one day and see you met the perfect person too! But I think it is more important to be content on own and happy with yourself. I think most of our realities are really different then our childhood dreams. But as long as you spent more time smiling than crying, you've done good!
ReplyDeletelove that theory..... I am definitely higher on the smiling than on the crying!
DeleteThanks once again for being such a gracious hostess. This is my favorite meme of the week.
ReplyDeleteThanks Wayne.... I am really glad you enjoy it!
DeleteI've always wanted to meet that one perfect person too - but I don't believe that it's going to happen for me. Who knows though - maybe when we're 80!
ReplyDeleteIf it is in the cards... then so be it.... I really don't want to wait until I'm 80 though!!!
DeleteIt seems that we live in parallel worlds. I doubt that I will ever live my dream, but it is fun to think about it.
ReplyDeleteI have read many of your posts and agree with you... we definitely live in parallel worlds....although we are both content we could both be happier.... I think being gun shy has kept me alone... and not so unhappily I must say.
DeleteMany apologizes. I didn't write a post today about being content, but I decided to link up to get my mind in the proper frame for next week. Call me weird, if you want and you'd be right. Anywho, I'll answer you question here. I feel quite content. The blessings of a good husband has kept me happy for 33-years for the most part. We don't have a lot, but we do have each other, three good kids, a modest home (paid for finally), and excellent health. There will always be a lot of what ifs and maybe some of those what ifs can be fulfilled now the children are grown. I'm certainly going to try to achieve some of those and if not, then I won't have any regrets because my life has been very good. It would be so selfish of me to long for lost dreams when others are struggling to make it in life. But, like Marti said dreaming is fun and I certainly do, do that a lot. =D Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteyou are truly one of the lucky ones! and yes dreaming is fun!
DeleteI agree with the others, it is never too late to find that special person, but I totally get how there have been other things on your mind! One day!! In the meantime you are an amazing, content woman! I think everyone wants more, but as long as it's more of a good thing, that's OK. Something that will enhance your life, rather than make it. I miss pondering!!
ReplyDeleteahhh... I miss you pondering... and thank you for your thoughts... I compeltely agree with them!
DeleteI do not think we are meant to travel alone either and these last 19 yrs. have been for you to know that YOU my dear Brenda do not need to settle on anything less than the perfect mate. Keep dreaming and enjoying ALL of life and your childrens lives and one day when you do not expect it the star will a line for you and a good person to meet :))
ReplyDeleteI am late getting in on my post I can no longer do my blog from work :( so I am going to work on managing my computer time from home ugh is that possible?? geez hope so :))
ha ha ha I have the exact same problem which is why it takes me so long to return comments...
DeleteWork should be flexible enough to let us do our blogs.... I think we need to ask for a constitutional amendment for that!
Teaching is highly overrated anyway! ;) I didn't have kids (still don't) when I went back to teachers college at 29...took me a bit to realize it even though that's what I always thought I'd do.
ReplyDeleteI like that...content...for now. :)
I'm not sure that it's that over rated... I know you have to teach to standards and the guidelines are different than they were when we were kids, but I still think a teacher has a huge impact on a child!
Delete