I Want To Give Thanks

This piece was sewn sometime in September 2014. Five years have gone by and today I look at it again and think of that time. Indeed, there are things within our control that we have to exercise in order for some kind of contentment to take root. I don't know if this is called happiness, perhaps just some kind of equilibrium in our lives, that I am not rushing out the door at 5 am, working a twelve-hour day and then spending the money more out of an impulse to feel that I have not worked in vain. How ridiculous it is that I find I have coupons for hair treatment and manicure or massage sessions bought but never had the time to go? It came to such a point that I was working and working but had no time to enjoy the money earned. How silly I had been to trade my health and sanity for money. And those things in my house! How many dresses or cushions or bedsheet sets do I need?

I made a conscious choice to slow down and to take stock, throw out the things that do not 'spark joy' and live frugally. I want to thank Cierzo for being extremely patient with me in this decluttering process. This man has a well of understanding and patience that never runs dry, accommodating me on days I'm petulant and days when I'm silent. Being halfway across the world on a separate continent with a different language, he even tunes in to the TV shows here so that we can have common topics to talk about. What kind of man does that? I'm fortunate indeed.

Happiness is a choice.