Follow Your Bliss

Hello again, whoever you are! Apparently, my blogging consistency is about as good as the consistency with which I create journal entries- that is to say, no consistency whatsoever. With each journal entry I write, I belittle my talents and cry about how I am "pretty good" at plenty of things, but a master of none. I chastise myself for not keeping up with things and vow to do better next time, which usually ends up being six months to a year later. I do not intend to make any empty promises this time around; that is part of my (hopefully) more attainable New Year's resolution. Atlanta has been snowed/iced in for the past few days and I have been enjoying every minute of it. The media has dubbed the storm and its impact on the city "snowpocalypse" or "snowmageddon," and so many friends of mine have been posting their collective disdain for mother nature as a result. Many have mentioned "cabin fever" and feeling being "couped up," all the while overlooking the intense beauty that a fresh coat of snow and ice adds to everything around us. They have been expressing this deep-set sense of both obligation and an inability to cope with a clear schedule. These expressions of anxiety and restlessness has made me think about what I hope to improve in 2011.

This year, I am not starting off with lofty goals only to feel the intrinsic guilt that inevitably follows once I realize those goals are out of reach. Nor will I allow myself to wallow in feelings of inferiority or mediocrity, those terrible inner voices of the perfectionist's psyche. Rather, I plan to banish some of the undue stress that I so often put upon myself and find satisfaction in my accomplishments, using my success as motivation to continue growing and learning. I also hope to keep my eyes, mind, and heart open so that I can appreciate the everyday miracles around me.

I feel as though our culture is becoming increasingly neurotic. We are constantly bombarded by advertisements and images that tell us how our lives should be and how unsatisfied we should feel until we have the item du jour. Throw in our overexposure to technology and the idea that "down time" is either a luxury or symptom of laziness, and it's no wonder that we suffer from inferiority complexes and short attention spans. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the convenience of having cell phones, internet, and whatnot. I just wonder when the last time any of my friends or family went a day without impulsively checking their email, turning on their televisions, or having a meltdown when they realize that they left their cell phone at home. When is the last time you felt comfortable in silence, when you are alone with your thoughts? 

I am not calling for any radical changes, nor am I denying the greatness of all these inventions or taking our cushy lifestyles for granted; I am just longing for a taste of simplicity, a bit of patience in a world consumed by impossible demands and instant gratification. When did we as a society decide that a fulfilling life for a woman meant stretching herself as thin as possible, trying to conquer both the professional and domestic spheres? Not that doing so is out of the question; I know plenty of women who have accomplished that feat and I hope to add my name to the list someday. I just wonder where all the pressure comes from and why professional women criticize stay-at-home moms and vice versa. Joseph Campbell once said to "follow your bliss," and it is a sentiment that I hold very dear. I should clarify that I do not mean to encourage self-indulgence, but rather the kind of contentment that leads to a balanced life filled with a deeper peace of mind and tranquility. I am not looking for complete balance or expecting some great epiphany; I am not sure that either of those are attainable. I feel that simply acknowledging the need for balance and actively searching for peace will bring about an increase in both. Whatever you do and wherever you go, here's to following your bliss in 2011!