The Laws of Physics and Other Things
One quote says: "Personal growth begins the moment you stop lying to yourself about who you are and what you are capable of."
And so another day began. The balance between maintaining physical rest, mental well-being, and facing the responsibilities of everyday life is a delicate one. Fortunately or unfortunately, it is part of the reality of being an adult.
Sometimes I wish I could return to moments of my past, to those carefree days when fewer things depended on me. But I suppose the laws of physics do not allow such journeys, and therefore that is not my path.
There are times when fatigue creates an inner conflict within me because I feel I cannot give one hundred percent of myself. Yet there comes a moment when, through difficulty, you begin to notice your own reactions. You listen to your body. You discover strengths that you didn't know you had.
And perhaps that is a lesson for every challenge life places before us. Human beings learn through their environments and carry the tools they acquire into future situations. So, while spending time with little Nikolas, I am not only helping him learn about life. I am learning about life and myself as well.
Today we are cooking hilopites with a creamy white sauce, something similar to carbonara. A pleasant surprise is that the weather continues to be kind to us. Not only is it cool, but we have clouds and rain that make everything feel much more like spring than summer.
I couldn't ask for anything better. Over the past few days, I have felt a strong desire to return, alongside my blogging, to certain aspects of earlier times. To a period when we were further away from the constant stimulation of the internet. A time when there was room to be bored, to read books, to discover and follow other blogs.
The laws of physics may not allow us to travel back in time, but they do allow us to carry certain things from the past into the present.
And who knows? Perhaps those very things can change our lives. We would like to thank every person who chooses to visit our blog, read our words, leave a kind comment, and become part of the conversation. These are the beautiful old -and new- parts of the internet, and we are here to enjoy them for as long as we can.
I'd love to ask:
Are there things from the past that you have chosen to keep? Have you managed to weave them into your life today?
If you read all the way to the end, thank you. We would genuinely love to hear your thoughts, memories, or feelings in the comments. And if you ever feel like writing to us more personally, you can always send us a letter at:
✉️ unplug.thrive@gmail.com
— Mary & Chris
I bring my grandmother's cooking with me. I loved her down to my bones and lately I think of her a lot. I think it is because I am a grandmother now. My daughter and u were just talking about carefree summers of childhood.
ReplyDeleteCathy
How wonderful it is to keep your grandmother's recipes. When you taste those meals or desserts, it's almost as if she's still there with you. And those traditions are passed down from one generation to the next.
DeleteI believe that those of us who have experienced life both before and after the enormous growth of technology can feel a special sense of nostalgia when we remember what life was like before everything became so fast-paced and constantly connected. Thanks for being here Cathy.
Your photos are lovely!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fascinating post, thank you so much for sharing! In response to your question if I have any things from the past that I have chosen to keep. Not really, however, I do have photos!!! Since there was a fire when I was a little girl (in the apartment building where my parents and I lived at the time), many photos were destroyed in the fire. Including the negatives. Whatever photos I have were managed to be saved or fortunately cousins had some and were able to send them to me via postal mail, email or Facebook.
I closed my Facebook account a year ago because the negativity was just too much. I am grateful to have my blog, though.
The reason I don't have many things from the past is because I don't feel an emotional connection to "things", if this makes sense. Yes, I do have a few very small things such as my father's hospital card that I got when he died...it has his photo on it and was made just two months before his passing. It is the size of a credit card, so it doesn't take up much space.
I love to clean and organize and don't like to have a lot of things...I am happier with less, meaning that I don't like clutter and I prefer to have space and keep my memories in the way of photos.
Thank you so much for sharing, and I hope you have a wonder filled weekend ahead!
Hello Linda. First of all, I want to thank you for sharing these personal thoughts with us. I truly appreciate them and hold them with care. Your comment made me reflect on how sometimes we can build stronger attachments to things than even to people themselves. And while those objects may be precious keepsakes, they can also hold us back or make it harder for us to move forward. As for Facebook, I'm in a similar place and still searching for the best way to step away from it. I believe it has become one of the many things that can distract people from what truly matters. For me and Mary, blogging gives us the freedom we need. It allows us to connect with people who care not about a "like," but about the meaning behind the words and about genuine communication. Sometimes it feels as though we're all sitting together in a garden, sharing a cup of tea and having a real conversation. Thank you for your beautiful and personal message. I truly believe that this kind of communication can be healing for all of us.
DeleteHow fortunate you are to be with your little one at this stage of his life when like a sponge he absorbs so much every day. Having raised my 5 children when the grandchildren began arriving I cared for them ( both parents worked). It was a joy to see them 5 days a week ( and sometimes on weekends too).
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how to answer your question. I have kept some old traditions from the past. That's all I can really think of. Granny Marigold
Good morning, Granny Marigold. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Truly, both your children and your grandchildren are very fortunate, and you are very strong. I'm sure they received the very best care. It can be exhausting, but rewarding at the same time. Children need love and time, and we are doing our best to be there for our little one as well. I believe that the old traditions you worked so hard to preserve have been passed on to the younger generations, and that is something truly precious. Thank you again for sharing your story.
DeleteYes, I read to the end . Little children are so fascinating, and we all can learn from them and it also brings back good memories of our own childhood, being on the positive side. The photos are lovely and always good to see them.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Good morning, Margaret, from Greece.Today we have sunshine and pleasantly cool weather, as it has been raining almost every afternoon over the past few days. You are absolutely right. Many times, we feel like children again when we play with them, talk with them, and see their energy and joy. Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and leave such a lovely comment.
DeleteMary and Chris, this post is an absolute breath of fresh air. That quote you started with hits so incredibly deep, especially when paired with the beautiful, exhausting reality of parenting a toddler. Balancing that deep physical fatigue with the mental desire to be 100% present for little Nikolas is such a raw, honest look at modern adulthood. It is completely normal to feel that inner conflict, but the fact that you are finding hidden strengths through the exhaustion is so inspiring. Nikolas is incredibly lucky to have you both studying his expressions and helping him learn about the world.
ReplyDeleteAlso, your lunch sounds absolutely divine! Creamy hilopites on a cool, rainy spring day is pure comfort food perfection.
Hello Melody! Thank you from the bottom of our heart for such a warm and thoughtful comment! Modern parents face a whole range of challenges, but we can also show our children how to face those challenges and become an example for them. And that's what children need to see that their parents keep moving forward, no matter what.
DeleteAnd of course, a good meal can fill the day with wonderful flavors, and a little conversation in the evening is a beautiful way to bring the day to a close. Congratulations on all that you're doing. We’ll definitely take some time to explore more of your blog. Thank you for being here with us and for being part of our little community!
Dear friends,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this thoughtful post very much. It reminded me that life is often a balance between responsibilities, fatigue, joy and gratitude.
I especially liked your reflections about learning from your little son. We often think that we are teaching children, but in reality they teach us as well: patience, presence, wonder and a different way of looking at the world.
Your thoughts about bringing good things from the past into the present also resonated with me. While we cannot travel back in time, we can keep certain habits alive. For me, spending time in nature, reading books and visiting thoughtful blogs are among those treasures worth preserving.
Sometimes the simplest family meals become some of our happiest memories.
Thank you for creating a place on the internet that feels calm, welcoming and human. In a busy world, that is a gift.
Warm regards,
Anette
Hello Anette. We are truly delighted to have you here and to read such a beautiful comment. Learning never really stops, and I don't think it should stop if we are trying to become the best people we can be. I don't know if we're getting everything right, but we are certainly making a great effort to find balance in our lives.
DeleteThe things you have chosen to preserve are also part of our lives. There is something truly special about finding inspiration in nature, reading a book in the afternoon or evening by the light of a lamp, and then writing, reading the thoughts of others, and connecting through meaningful conversation. These simple things may seem small, but they enrich our lives in ways that are difficult to measure. We will be very happy to continue reading your ideas, and we will certainly be frequent visitors to your blog as well. Thank you for your kindness and for being part of our little corner of the world.
Mary and Chris, I'm so glad you have found your place here. I look forward to reading each new post. What I have managed to keep, rather than moving into the new ways, is the written planner/calendar. I still keep my planner in writing, rather than on my phone or digital in any way. I also still keep a pen and paper monthly budget. Same goes for a grocery list of any kind. My husband calls me a "paper girl in a digital world" and I gladly accept that title :)
ReplyDeleteHello, Paper Girl in a Digital World! There is something beautiful about being able to hold in your hands the things you create. I think our whole physical nature was designed for that, and our minds seem to love this kind of engagement. Recently, I started keeping notes in an old notebook where I write down blogs I enjoy, along with phrases and thoughts from other people's stories that I want to remember.
DeleteYour comment also reminded me of something. Years ago, a Greek singer-songwriter was asked why he still wrote his lyrics with a pencil. His answer was, "Because I like being able to correct myself." With an eraser, you can see a mistake, learn from it, and then correct it. I've always found that idea very meaningful. Thank you for being here with us.