This Is What It Means To Live Beautifully

I wish the naysayers of the world knew their criticism was a compliment. If it takes that much effort to say or think something, I’m flattered to be taking up space in your brain.

This crossed my mind as I took a shower this morning, thinking about everyday interactions. From being friendly to strangers at the store to singing as I walk down the street, I have realized how short life is and how important it is to make each day count.

As I have become more and more mindful, I try my best to live beautifully each and every day, and that means appreciating the simple things, soaking in the beauty around, and making the most out of routine activities. Today, for example, I’m sitting in the lobby at the RMV to (finally) get my Massachusetts ID. Instead of dreading this ordinary event, I brought my computer, planned lunch nearby, and took the day off to enjoy Boston for the afternoon.

Believe me, it’s possible to even make the RMV fun.

Life can be really awesome if you allow it to be.

However, we are constantly surrounded by unhappy people. I understand it; life is complicated. Life gets tough.  Even though we can’t choose who we interact with, we can choose how we react to them, though. We don’t have to be combative or defensive. We don’t have to take their criticism personally or let their negative input affect our day. We can rise above it.

As people give me strange looks when I smile at them or hold the door, I giggle a little inside. This isn’t expected in today’s world. 

I’ve been teased and mocked recently by women who seem to complain about everything. I’m sure they think I’m too perky and positive, and that’s okay. I don’t have space in my own brain to allow these people to bother me.

My life hasn’t always been easy; I have been through a lot. I’ve learned that life is a gift, and I refuse to be miserable.

I smile because I escaped from my sadness. I sing down the street because I know I am finally free. Not only am I free from my past, I am free from the walls I thought society put me in. I am free from what is “expected” of me.

I’m free from letting the outside world determine my internal condition.

We all have a choice how we live our day, so are you going to sing down the street or complain in the copy room?

I know I’ll be out there singing.