Forget not the Beauty of the In-Between

One of my favorite songs is Deb Talan's "The Gladdest Thing" (based on Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem, Afternoon on a Hill), and one of the best lines in that song is:

"I want to be champion of evening, to forget not the beauty of the in-between." 

I think of this line a lot when I'm feeling discouraged about my progress toward a goal.  I so often get caught up in my dreams of what the future will bring for us--a tenure-track job for my hubby, a new baby at some point (not anytime soon--don't want to excite the grandparents just yet!), our home decorated just like I want it, a bigger house, a comfortable savings account and no debt, well-trained dogs that don't bark like maniacs every time someone comes to the door, maybe a book I will write one day--that I forget to "enjoy the beauty of the in-between."

Even now, here, in this moment, I should be enjoying the beauty of our "in-between."

As I sit in my quiet, cozy, (messy!) living room in our little rental house, as my daughter sleeps upstairs (after praying so earnestly for a little sister before bed!), as my husband's job applications float out into the world full of hope and potential (and not a little anxiety!), as we live this comfortable life (even though our savings have dwindled to a pittance after the gazillion doctor's visits we've had this month!)--I can either focus on how far we are falling short of our ultimate goals--or I can look for the beauty here in the in-between.

I tried to explain this to Flannery the other day, the idea of the "in-between."  She was saying that she really wanted her bangs to grow out so that she could look just like her cousin.  And I told her that her bangs were growing really quickly, and that I really liked them this length because we could sweep them over to the side, and they looked cute and breezy.  I told her that once they had actually grown all the way out, that would be cute, too, but that the little wisps along the way were just beautiful.

I don't think she believed me.  But really, the in-between is beautiful on her.  Don't you agree?

Forget not the beauty of the in-between.  There really are things to love about the time we spend on the path to our ultimate goals.  Now if I could just remember this great truth more often than twice a year!


How are you enjoying the "in-between" in your life?

Create Goals for Yourself (& Flanna's Wishlist)

I think I need to update my happiness resolutions. My life has changed pretty dramatically since May when I last reevaluated my progress on these goals. Here's the update:

MY HAPPINESS RESOLUTIONS:

1. Learn Something: Read in Spanish at least 15 minutes 5 times per week. - I have 3 spanish speaking clients each week, so I speak and listen in Spanish 3 times per week. But I really do need to improve my vocabulary and my (nonexistent) use of past tense in Spanish, so I think I can get back to this goal soon. Maybe on our long drive tomorrow, I can get some reading in. (We're driving to Jawjah for a wedding...yay!!!)

2. Be social: Start a girls’ night by June. - Um, I had one girls' night. It was super fun. But then it hasn't happened since. I do have regular contact with wonderful women one on one, though, so maybe that makes up for it? No, I should totally work on this one again. Girls' nights just make me happy.

3. Really listen: Interview at least 5 past clients about happiness amidst struggles. - I interviewed one! Not a giant leap, but at least progress. (I'll post the interview soon, I promise!)

4. Cut the chaos: Tidy up the house for 10 minutes each night, every night. - Cough. Stammer. Clearing of the throat. I think I forgot this was a happiness goal. But I promise I'll do better. It really does make me happy to have a neat and tidy home.

5. Exercise: Dance with Flannery on Mon, Wed, Fri afternoons. - this was going so well until I started working full time. Maybe I need to change it to walking to pick Flannery up, since I pick her up from school each day. I'll think about that one.

6. Eat Well: Bring a lunch on Tues/Thurs. - Finally, I can say a goal is met. I have brought my lunch every single day since I started my new job. And most days, I bring healthy leftovers from the dinner we had the night before. So, yay!

So, overall, I think I'm making good progress. Good thing I have a few more months left in my Happiness Project year!

Oh, and I just have to share Flannery's birthday list (her birthday's about a month away). It sort of fits with the idea of having goals/dreams, right? Plus, it's just adorable to see what she's into.

Anyway, here's her wish list:

1. a little brother Barbie
2. a Princess Pea doll (from a TV show called SuperWhy)
3. sparkly colorful lotions (we saw these at Ross once and she hasn't forgotten about them yet!)
4. a computer
5. new leapster 2 games (especially princess type games)
6. a baby doll that can drink milk out of a bottle
7. a newborn baby Barbie baby (does that even exist?)
8. a Signing Time video
9. a baby doll that can really hold her own pacifier in her mouth
10. The Little Mermaid II Movie

Seriously adorable.


I may not blog much this weekend because of the traveling we'll be doing, but stay tuned for a post featuring the most adorable flower girl you've ever seen when we get back!





What goals are you focusing on this year? Have you written them down? Do you post them where you can see them regularly? I used to have my 5 life goals written on the front flap of my calendar/planner, and I think I accomplished more that year than I ever had before. Maybe I'll try that trick again. I think there's something to reminding ourselves of our goals each day.

By the way, does any one else think this Barbie family looks a little creepy? Seriously, since when did Ken start looking like Billy Bob Thornton?