on an even keel

What does the Queen Mary have to do with this post? Well, for one, Mike and I love the old liners, (hence the QM travel poster in my living room and other liners around the house) but I couldn't find a picture when the ship was being built. Because my theme of the day is finally feeling like I'm on an even keel.

Can you ever actually feel when the pendulum has swung back to where everything feels just right? I try to be positive about a lot of things in my life, I admit I wasn't always like that. In fact I used to be quite the pessimist. But children, and getting older changed that. Now I try to not take anything for granted, and to sound all life artist-ish and the queen of self aware, to find the joy in the little everyday things. It has made me a better person.

One of my favorite quotes is:

"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions, and not on our circumstances." - Martha Washington

This has been a poignant quote this past week as I have removed myself from a situation that I knew was toxic and all I heard was how bad everything in one person's (name withheld) life seemed to be all the time. If it wasn't one thing, it was another. The fact is, everybody has problems, just some people don't air it all. I think that comes with maturity. Let's just say that like Oprah said about loving her 40s, I love the mid to late 30s because so many life things make more sense. It's like the light bulb starts to glow brighter, and it makes me almost look forward to my 40s and above as I'm sure you become more comfortable with yourself and realize what truly is important. You realize the difference between an acquaintance and true friends. That you get what you give in a relationship. With anybody. You can't just take, take, take. And the best - finally understanding that you can't make everybody like you. The people who love you, love you unconditionally.

I'm really not trying to be all cheesy, but this has been a totally reflective week. Burdens that I had last week are gone, and since then I have felt like a totally new person....and happy. I mean truly happy. The best is when Mike and I went out for lunch last week and I felt like a different person, like I was walking on air. Topped with a great night at the end of the week with some close friends.

I'm sure that the pendulum will swing back and more things will come up that will be less than ideal. That's life and I expect it, but the hard parts that we have been through are the things that have made me who I am and made me appreciate what I have. There were times I was a real bitch when things were bad, and I admit I never thought I'd make it through it, but looking back I'm glad for the experience.

Honestly, I am the luckiest person on earth. - and right now enjoying being on an even keel. :)