Please leave your thoughts...I love when you do that!
Longing is almost a foreign concept to me. It is something I can imagine doing, but not something I practice. I don't long for anything, really. I have goals which I chase and plan for success, but I don't long to achieve them, I work to achieve them.
I have memories that make me smile or cry when I recall them, but I don't long to relive those times. I am simply aware that I have done that, been there or seen that. I am content with the past being the past and the future being the future.
I don't long for more time with someone I loved who has passed on because I know my time with them was all we were meant to have. I know I said and did what I wanted to say and do while I did have them here. I know that God has now rewarded them all for their trials here on earth. I know my time will come, too.
Longing, for me, would just take up time from my life. Using up precious moments that I could be, oh say, staring out over the back yard. Time I could be thinking of a new recipe. Time I could be cleaning out a closet. Time I could be petting or playing with one or both of our furbabies. Time I could be talking with my husband. Time I could be writing. Time I could be reading...well, you get it, I'm sure.
I could think of one exception...maybe... I could long for a world where anyone who wants a job, can find one. A world where children do not go hungry or cold or unloved. I could long for the kind of world where the Golden Rule is practiced routinely by all who inhabit it. But, it would be much more productive to be one person who does these things and thereby, sets an example for others. If only one person loves a child because they saw me loving a child and making both my life richer and the child's life easier, GREAT. So I won't long for the perfect world, I will do what I am able to do to make the tiny spot I am using a bit more perfect.
I prefer to live than to long. I prefer to live long than to live longing.
Jo
You definitely sound like a doer and not someone who wants what they don't have. Nice post.
ReplyDeletePam
Thank you Pam. I just so strongly believe that life is for living and what is past is past. Move on and take the lesson with you. Live in the now and there is very little to long for.
ReplyDeleteFunny. I expected a lot of posts on romantic longing and have found the opposite. Didn't think there were so many people like myself that weren't really fans of longing ;)Longing seems a bit of a waste of time when there is so much that can actually be done.
ReplyDelete"So I won't long for the perfect world, I will do what I am able to do to make the tiny spot I am using a bit more perfect."
ReplyDeleteThat right there is the key to the end of human suffering, one person at a time. LOVED that line so much.
Love it! I think I'll have to adopt the phrase "I prefer to live than to long." as one of my personal mantras.... so wise!
ReplyDeleteSuch a wise perspective to have!
ReplyDeleteI love this post. I think your right on that it is a waste of time to long for...... Be in the moment.
ReplyDeleteChristina...couldn't agree more. Thx so much for stopping and sharing.
ReplyDeleteBeth...If only just knowing it and living it could make it contagious! Thx for your time and thoughtfulness.
Laura...Thank you so much! I am glad to know that it might make a change in your daily life. It did in mine.
Stephtee...With age comes wisdom, if only I could remember what it is that I am so wise about! ;) Thanx for stopping by and sharing.
Laura...BEING is what I am focusing on every single day I have. Believe it or not, it's not always easy! I like to wander around in time in my head and I allow myself to do that from time to time, but only for short periods. I don't want to live there, again or yet.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I love your outlook, Jo! When we long for things to be different, we dismiss everything that is. We can choose how we want to use our time, and a purring furbaby is reward enough for time well spent :)
ReplyDeleteTo me, longing is to life as salt is to food. A little makes it all the tastier, but a lot makes it unpalatable.
ReplyDeleteLorie...I agree and appreciate your reading and commenting! <3
ReplyDeleteAngela...As always you are right on with the everything in moderation theory! I cannot disagree. ;)
Lucky you! Unfortunately I have so many longing moments ...
ReplyDeleteClaudia...I am much older than you! I used to long for a lot of things, but now, I find satisfaction and contentment in who I am and what I have. Your day will come. thx for stopping by and sharing. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love everything about this post!! It is very inspiring. I love that you prefer to live long than to live longing. Brilliant my friend!!
ReplyDeleteKathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com/
Kathy...thank you so much. I really appreciate that you take the time to read and comment each week. And I L O V E that you think I'm brilliant! LOL
ReplyDeleteThat last line--was just AWESOME!! You've been able to say what I feel better than I could! LOVE this post. :)
ReplyDeleteCheers, Jenn
http://www.wine-n-chat.com/2011/09/longing.html
This is wonderful: "I prefer to live than to long. I prefer to live long than to live longing". Bravo.
ReplyDeleteJenn...Thank you so much. I love making you happy! Thx for stopping by & sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Langley...I am thinking that might go on my tombstone! I appreciate you stopping by and commenting, as always. :)
Great post Jo and I have to agree with you on this one. "Longing" seems way to close to 'desperate' for me. As in you KNOW you can't get it (hence the longing) and yet you're still there HOPING that something/someone you KNOW you can't get will somehow be had. I'm just babbling now but..yeah, I feel ya!
ReplyDeleteLadyHAHA...Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing. It's all true, longing just uses up time!
ReplyDeleteI don't really have the patience to be longing. LOL. Sad but true. If it's not within my reach at that moment, then I don't care. LOL.
ReplyDeleteD...I totally understand this! Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteJo, thank you for writing. You are apparently gifted in this way. I love what you have said here. I may not be able to do what you have talked about, but I know what you say is very true. I allowed the truest love I have ever known to walk out of my life. I know I'll never have that again. I am so happy that she shared her life and her family with me. :) I loved them all. I will work very hard on the longing...it's just difficult. Keep writing!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and commenting, but I do wish you would sign your name at the end. I love knowing who is reading my work. :)
ReplyDelete