Month: August 2014

Your light

by Katie Welker

I have occasionally been criticized for my youthful spirit, and it has really thrown me for a loop over the past few days. Some people just feel that there is only a certain time and place for childlike wonder. And while I know and accept that it’s important to be able to lead with different strengths in different situations, I can’t stand the thought of dimming that light that I have inside of me. I would be doing myself the biggest disservice on the planet if I let that happen. 

Each one of us has a brightness within, and it grows stronger when we’re engaged in something that makes us genuinely happy. Maybe you’re a kid at heart and being able to play and act silly is when you’re in your element. Perhaps you’re an old soul who is most at peace when reading a book by candlelight. To each his own, but remember that it’s for the individual to decide, not for anyone else to dictate.

Yes, with age comes responsibility and you certainly need to know when to put particular strengths ahead of others. But just because you may understandably have to adapt to a society which so often requires practicality, does not mean that you have to conform to something that’s not true to who you are at your core.

Today my message is simple: let the childlike wonder that’s deep inside of you stay young forever. 

Dr-Suess

 

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The difference

by Katie Welker

Convenient (adjective): fitting in well with a person’s needs, activities, plans; involving little trouble or effort.

Recently I found myself describing a particular relationship in my life as convenient. The second I realized I was referring to a human connection in such a way, it made me shudder; I actually felt a sharp pain in my chest. I suppose it just felt wrong to describe a relationship involving two living, breathing, connected people as convenient. 

It would be different if in addition to being convenient it was also a consistent source of intrinsic fulfillment, intellectual stimulation and reliable across the board. Yet that’s not the way it’s been. It has been flatline convenient, and that’s worrisome to me.

Sure, sometimes convenience can be a beautiful, low-stress situation. But what about what’s best for us? Yes, convenience is what suits our needs, but what about our wants?

It’s not bad to want more of what makes us happy; it’s also not bad to make those desires known and ask for them. How dare we sell ourselves short from the greatness we deserve just because it’s easier to choose the easy option. And how dare we half ass any part of our life just because it requires less work, thoughtfulness and energy.

Convenience is easy. Going after what we truly desire takes effort. The question is, do you think the difference is worth it?