Defining Our Lives
It is fascinating to observe the diversity of house structures. There are single story, sprawling buildings; thin two story homes; ranchers; cape cods; barn type arrangements; split level; tri-level, and a host more! Some have large, expansive porches, others no porch; some have pools and tennis courts, some boast elaborate landscaping or a neat, well kept garden, while others have a simple bush or flower bed in front and others invite animals with dense undergrowth.
I am partial to plantation houses and also large cabins you will likely find in a wooded area. The plantation houses with wide columned porches and hallways within are a reminder of another era, long past. The cabins also reflect another generation and part of our pioneering history.
It’s also interesting to consider the people inside. Are the occupants a reflection of their home? Do those inside a plantation home share the values of a Southern state a hundred years ago? Or are those who live in ranchers, those who like the idea of ranching even if funds and geography doesn’t allow it? Do the surrounding landscaped grounds echo the beauty we see or does the uncut grass reverberate a person who doesn’t see the need for a neat and tidy living area or is he perhaps in need of assistance because he is no longer able to keep up?
There is something elegant and beautiful about tall corn stalks and tall trees. Yet I absolutely detest low bushy brush areas, especially around a house. I find it unnerving and want it cleared away. It creates tension and unease. When a defined horizontal line in the sky is added on the horizon, the picture changes to beautiful, and completely calming, giving stability and order.
What about our lives? Do we live our lives with defined structure? If someone were to define your character would it include a theoretical design? What would your shape be? Would there be straight lines going vertical and horizontal like a box or a building including windows for others to see in and a door for entry? Or would it be round implying no real set boundaries but rather going with the flow or complete passivity? Or would there be lots of jagged edges like the brush denoting spurs of tension and discord?
How we live our lives can be defined by boundaries and structure, or “freely” without care of limits inferring lack of responsibility and concern for others. To live without responsibility creates jagged lines of tension that tend to annoy or even bring harm to someone else because of the sharp edges, much like the low brush that makes me uneasy. It seems in this environment, the dark side of life seems to creep out and startle others.
When our lives are lived with at least a measure of boundaries, we infer trust and consistency others can depend on. Our “straight edges” give stability even when the world seems to be crumbling around us. It’s calming and reassuring, giving a picture of peace. This isn’t to say there aren’t moments of “sharp edges” when days are filled with problems we weren’t prepared for!
So I you to encourage you to consider how others picture your lives. Does your life reflect order, stability and peace; or does it mirror discord, unhappiness and strife? If you aren’t happy with what you see, is there something you can do about it?
That isn’t always the case. You can’t change your height, your family genetics or a disability. These are elements in our lives which remain constant. Yet, like the houses mentioned, there are changes we can make ‘on the exterior’ by weight loss or exercise if needed, a hair style change, wearing contacts instead of glasses, or even a wardrobe change.
Internally, we can increase our education, change jobs to maximize our gifts and talents, create a new ‘friend circle’ which is encouraging and positive, learn a new language, adjust our habits and move to new levels in life, or a hundred other options.
Perhaps today is the time to accept responsibility and make changes.
Photo Credit:https://better.com/content/how-to-choose-between-different-types-of-houses/