Monday, May 26, 2008

MMSM

Makes Me Smile Monday
This is a blog carnival in which I am always wanting to participate but rarely fin the time on my busy Mondays (okay, so I usually just forget, and when I do remember I don't have anything witty or thought provoking to write about, not that today is any different in that regards...)

"However mean your life is, meet it and live it: do not shun it and call it hard names. Cultivate poverty like a garden herb, like sage. Do not trouble yourself much to get new things, whether clothes or friends. Things do not change, we change. Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts. God will see that you do want society." -Henry David Thoreau, Walden

I really like this quote. There are so many different parts, I probably won't cover them all. The very first sentence hits me like a ton of bricks. How many times have I complained about my lot in life. The truth is I don't think I would change anything. Well, I might bring Ethan back, but I know even that has shaped who I am today, and when you get right down to it, I thin I like who I am. I certainly enjoy helping people, and it helps to have an idea of what they are feeling. I love that I can understand people and the depths of their grief, because I have been at rock bottom (still hit it every now and then). And this so goes with our gospel and having a good attitude and staying positive.

The next line I am not sure I like. Not that it doesn't make sense, but I don't know many people who would choose poverty. Although, I do agree with living frugally (not that I succeed here either), and only taking what a person needs (Mom's for years have been trying to cultivate this in their children, "Take what you'll eat, and eat what you take!"). Scott and I are actually embarking on a new road in the neighborhood of this line. We are getting rid of cable *shock*, and eventually getting rid of our land line phone (they gave us two months free and we have to pay an amount we can't afford right now to get rid of it). We are determined to get out of debt and start saving more. The "Twilight" Party was my last "hurrah" before the poverty living begins. Not that I plan on missing our lady's nights at restaurants, I will just be eating dinner at home before hand and ordering water, must to have my social ;).

As for the next line, I like new clothes and I like meeting new people. I will make new friends, but I won't be getting any new clothes for a while :(. Although, if I lose enough weight and my clothes are falling off me, my hubby might have t relent... then again he may just tell me to start sewing (taking the clothes in).

Anyway, I don't have any thoughts on the rest. I am not quite sure what the last line means. Perhaps I should read "Walden."

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

very thought provoking Christine... good monday post :)

Anonymous said...

Good morning Christi!
I really like this too. I think that the last line means God will see that we have love in our hearts for each other and bless accordingly. Just a thought.
I was talking with Alicia someone else from our ND ward and she has custody of three of her grandchildren. Bella is three and they were going to the park the other day and she had her older brother Cody's shoes on. Alicia asked her if she wouldn't change her mind and wear her own shoes and she (Bella) told Alicia "No Grammy I like my mind. Kids are so much fun. If you have to sew your own clothes to be home with those precious boys of yours be the best darn sewin person out there. I was going to say sewer but that didn't work:).
Kim

Kat Curtis said...

Great quote - good luck with your financial diet. I'm glad that you're still letting yourself have fun things in moderation (Girls' Night w/ water), but props to you for working on getting out of debt -- we'll be joining you in a couple of years after we're done with school. I'm looking forward to being free, hopefully sooner than later! Good luck! :)

Jill said...

You are so awesome, Christine! I enjoyed reading this quote and your thoughts on it. Good luck on your financial goals.

The Shirleys said...

You really should be a writer someday Christine. I think you do a great job of annalyzing things.

Andy got his first bill for student loan repayment in the mail last week! Maybe school wasn't so bad after all. We can count down to being debt free with you. (I think you will probably win!)

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