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."