Three years ago, on an absolutely gorgeous day in August, I got married on top of a mountain. Family and friends came from all over to witness and celebrate the union between my husband and I. It was a perfect day filled with tears, laughter, joy, scenic views and God’s palpable presence permeating the atmosphere. I could not have asked for a better first day of marriage. It still brings a smile to my face thinking about that day.
As I prepared for our special day, it never occurred to me how symbolic getting married on top of a mountain would be. If you are like me, I am an adventure seeker. I love visiting new places, discovering new things, and simply experiencing all that life has to offer. You could say I am not satisfied with the status quo.
Which is why literally (and figuratively) I did not want to come down off the mountain after our wedding. I wanted to stay in the mountaintop experience that had been filled with so much wonderful goodness. Who wouldn’t?
My husband gently reminded me on the morning of checkout, that if I really thought about it, I actually did want to go down the mountain into the real world and start our lives as husband and wife. Plus, wasn’t I excited about our honeymoon?
Thinking back, even as a child, I vowed to always strive to live extraordinarily. Living an ordinary life was not what I desired(whatever that meant). I just wanted more. I wanted to be special.
We all can display this to some degree; desiring to live on the mountaintops of life as long as we can. It has become so commonplace, that nowadays I wonder how much of our social media posts accurately reflects a day in one’s life? Why do we feel the need to make our lives seem more exciting than they really are?
Ask yourself this question the next time you take 15 selfies before choosing the perfect photo to post. And maybe you’re not one who has time to post selfies, but how often do you feel your life is less than special in comparison to others when scrolling through Instagram? Can you think of how many times you may have embellished moments in your own life on social media, in conversation, or even to yourself?
Now, there is nothing wrong with wanting to present our best, most creative selves to others, I fully endorse it, but when it begins to corrode the organic moments of life, is that really our best, true self?
In the devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, it states, “we all have those times when there are no flashes of light and no apparent thrill to life, where we experience nothing but the daily routine with its common everyday tasks. The routine of life is actually God’s way of saving us between our times of great inspiration which come from Him.”
A well-balanced life would not have been to stay on the mountaintop after I got married. Mountaintop experiences are moments. And I don’t want to live in a moment. I want to live a life.
Our best life is drinking in each moment whether we are on the “mountaintop” or not. It is finding beauty in the simplest of tasks to the momentous of occasions.
This life is a gift. And when it is viewed that way, the most ordinary moments become precious and important.
I, for one, never thought I could find satisfaction in ordinary living. I have always yearned for more. But each day, I discover the beauty in the ordinary moments. That is truly living. No striving, just being. We are human beings, after all.
So, I challenge you for the next week to intentionally live your best, true self. Try to develop a habit to live each moment fully, completely, and authentically. Not striving, but being. You can and will find purpose and meaning not only on the mountaintop, but in the mundane moments. For it is because of the ordinary, that the extraordinary has a chance to shine.
If this concept is a struggle for you, I hope you will take the time to learn how to find satisfaction in the ordinary moments of each day. The extraordinary can be some of the most exhilarating times in our lives. However, ordinary, everyday life gives us the opportunity to slow down, take in our surroundings and just be.
Brene Brown said it best: ” I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.”
I think my new motto isn’t going to be to “live an extraordinary life”, but simply to live. Living each day as best I can…present, thankful and with intention. I hope you will join me. 🙂
Financial Freedom
This is suchhhh good truth! I too remember that mountain top moment after getting married, just wanted to stay there forever (more figuratively for me). Ive been really trying ti limit social media and its been so freeing! Slowing down and enjoying the most ordinary moments have brought more joy than ever before.