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PeaceN2You 
11:54am, August 21, 2009
This is a lesson I learned a long time ago, but need to have reinforced from time to time. Thought it might help someone else to change their thinking as well.
Cause for Celebration We all know someone who keeps plastic covers on his or her couch in order to protect it. The irony is that many of these people may live their lives without ever having actually made contact with their own furniture! This is a poignant and somewhat humorous example of the human tendency to try to save things for special occasions, as if everyday life weren’t special enough to warrant the use of nice things. Many of us have had the experience of never wearing a particular piece of clothing in order to keep it nice, only to have it go out of style in the meanwhile.
Honoring Everyday Life
It’s interesting to think of what it would mean to us if we let ourselves wear our nicest clothes and eat off the good china on a daily basis. We might be sending ourselves the message that every day we are alive is a special day and a cause for celebration, and that we are worth it. There is something uplifting about treating ourselves to the finest of what we have. It is as if we rise to the occasion when we wear our best clothes and set the table beautifully, as if for a very special guest. We are more mindful of where we place things, what we are eating, and who is with us. Using the good china, eating in the dining room, and taking the plastic off the sofa might be an invitation to be more conscious of the beauty and grace inherent in our everyday lives.
If there are things you’ve stashed away for a special occasion—a bottle of special wine, a gorgeous pair of shoes, an antique lace tablecloth—consider taking them out of their hiding places and putting them to use tonight, just because you are alive now to enjoy them, and that’s a great cause for a celebration.
Comments
YOUR RIGHT, CAN'T DO IT TODAY, BUT TOMMOROW I'M BREAKING OUT THE CHINA! HUGS NAE'
fibonae
oh wow that is such a good idea - just like cleaning your house for a special guest too
KCJ
When I had my first child (and was a tad ignorant about babies, lol) I had 'saved' an outfit for him, for special occassions. Little did I know that they grow VERY fast after being born, and he grew out of it before he even got to wear it! Boy, did that learn me! Of course, when I received 7 little outfits for him, I thought "Oh wow, one for each day, wonderful!" But, he spit up a LOT and went through about three outfits a day-- I learned a lot that first year, thanks for sharing - make everyday a celebration of life!
SafeNSerene
My thing was perfume and special soap. Now I wear it whenever I feel like it because everyday is a special day.
browneyestarshine
I have ALWAYS used all of my things - as soon as and can and often. The reason: When my grandmother died and we were packing up her personal belongings, she had a huge hopechest filled with brand new sheets and towels and nighties and all kinds of beautiful, nice things. Her sheets seemed thread bare and yucky that she used for them. I vowed then at age 21 that I would always enjoy my things while I was alive - not for someone to find all new things when I passed. It was a good lesson and YES, break out your china, wear your special perfume and enjoy life now. Thanks for the reminder.
suecalifornia
I guess part of what we have to change our thinking about is that they are only THINGS. If they get dirty or broken, at least we used them and enjoyed them, and as you say, someone will not find them when we are gone and wonder why they were never used. My mom passed at 36 when I was 18, so I had a wake-up call as well. Life is short - and things don't do us any good or give us any pleasure packed up and out of sight - life is meant to be enjoyed!
PeaceN2You
good words to share, of course, I already try to do these things, saving is hard for me bc I want to live now..my brother died at age 36 which was 15 years ago and I learned life is meant to be lived to the fullest like he did! He packed 90 years into 36 and more firends and experiences and fun than anyone I knew..he had some great accomplishments too...he stripped an airplane down to its skeleton, rebuilt it and moved to ALaska bought a piece of land for 2 grand and my 70 (at the time) year old dad flew to alaska and they stripped trees into logs nd built a long cabin....sorry im riding my bike and typing....dual tasking...he had an airplane parts and repair business and paraglided which took his life, but he had it all, a wife and kids...and he had his faith too...so no regregts about his life...
how are you doing? YOu always inspire us, but how about you....how are you realy doing????????///////
Sarahsma