Glasgow Anyone?

Wow! The Sex Pistols live! You can read about that love fest here. Thanks Teresa for the e-mail. Who'd have thought The Sex Pistols would even be alive in 2007... I remember being an invincible angry teen. It really wasn't THAT long ago. No, really. If you look at the history of mankind, it wasn't.

Back in the day, I was full of a lot of anger, frustration and grief about the world in general. Listening to punk bands like the Sex Pistols and participating in er... some other things I won't be telling my children about anytime soon (and neither will you Laddie!!!!) helped relieve these emotions. Nothing like moshing or even watching other people mosh at a loud punk rock show to help drain the pain.

Anyway, fast forward twenty years and I think I'm finally growing up. Hey, be nice now, it takes some of us awhile. Lately, I've been thinking about how content I am with my life (and also how thankful I am). Content is not a word I would use to describe most of my life (for a variety of reasons), but I've realized I have just what I need in life; 2 beautiful children, a wonderful husband who is also my best friend, supportive and caring family (all in-laws included), a diverse group of friends that I can always count on for interesting and stimulating conversation and companionship, books to read, 3 meals a day for my children, a warm home, books, clothes, a car that is reliable (knock on wood), books, a business that does well enough, books, a decent computer to help me run my business and enjoy personally, and let me see... Did I mention books? The basic necessities and then some...

It is a truly peaceful place to be; feeling content and so very thankful for what I have. I have let go of always feeling like we need to make more money or achieve some sort of arbitrary success so our kids can have this or we can go do that or we can get a new TV or we can remodel our house, etc. etc. This new found peace has given everything I do and all the decisions I make have new meaning for me. I find myself appreciating so much more than I think I ever have the simplest things like getting my kids bundled up for the cold weather, listening to my daughter read books aloud to me, laughing about some of the very silly things C. says and watching old episodes of the X-Files and Star Trek with my husband. It's these types of things have become the focus of my daily life. I truly want my kids to look back on growing up in our family and remember how much we always laugh, playing games together on the living room floor, reading together every night before bed, planting trees as a family and learning together.

So, does all this mean I'm just sitting back and letting the world "happen" to me? Heck no! Is there still fire in my belly? Plenty! As much, if not more than when I used to listen to Johnny Rotten and the boys. It's just I refuse to let that fire consume me anymore! I am using it instead to try and change some of the things I think are wrong in this world, help those in need and keep at bay worrying about things that really aren't important in the big scheme.

Here's to the Sex Pistols! They keep the fire burning!