There comes a time for rest. Its been seven months since I returned to work and I have finally reached holidays. Now Ive just enjoyed two whole weeks of rest, OR as close to rest as I can get, considering I have my children leaning on me for all things mummyish even in holiday time.
Its spring now in Melbourne and the days are warming up... we have had some temps in the mid 20's over the past week, and I ve been spending a good amount of time tackling my garden and our verandah and back yard. Doing this has got me thinking...
I am thinking to extend the garden path all the way around our back yard and in the far corner of the garden, I'd like to build a pond, put some gold fish in it and put a small wooden bridge over it, for the kids to ride their bikes over. Id have to somehow make it safe for littlies... Anyway, it involves quite a lot of dreaming, methodical planning and a whole lot of digging and exercise etc. SO we may get a pathway dug up by holidays end, but the topping and the pond etc will probably have to wait til Christmas holidays, and that's just the back yard.... Ive so many things Id like to do. I don't know about you, but I tend to have grandiose ideas about every little venture in life. I'm not one for being fastidious usually, but I do like to go into detail when dreaming about things, and dreaming big.
I like things big...
If I am ever given a gift, I like that gift to be bigger or better than I expected, or to show that a lot of thought has gone into choosing it. I like surprises and getting more than expected. Doesn't everyone? I like to be overwhelmed by generosity and I like to be generous in return. I think grandiosity (if that's a word?) and generosity, goes hand in hand with the tendency for exaggeration, gregariousness, and the desire for excess and the elaborate. But I don't think that this is BAD per se. I think that Big thinking, and Big tendencies can sometimes be greed driven, and at other times be creatively driven. They may stem from an internal sense of inadequacy or lack, but not always. I reckon I'm not alone in this preference and I think that there are many others out there like me, who like grandiose excess, and don't feel ashamed about it. I think even God likes excessive grandiosity. I think God likes BIG.
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But......
I happen to also know, that there are those who look down on people with grandiose ideas, who find excessiveness unpleasant and uncalled for. These people I believe, pride themselves on frugality, and the small and simple. They don't understand why people need excess or need to elaborate. They are the ones who design open spaces without clutter, and enjoy sparseness.They focus on the singular. They like clear, clean lines, and saving things for a rainy day. They value the pristine. They are the ones who never over eat (will save some for later) or have too many clothes or too many thoughts. I'm sure they never experience chaos in their minds, or lives either. They have a strong sense of self control and strive to live ordered lives. I think they like to estimate exactly, and if necessary, they'll choose to underestimate, rather than overestimate. In discussions, they minimise their point of view, placing value in the diminutive rather than on exploration or excessive talk. They are like my complete opposite, and I think they can be driven by pride and piety, as well as at times a deep need for control. But they are also amazing
to me! I think even God is this way too at times.
to me! I think even God is this way too at times. He likes the SMALL.
So how did I get onto this train of thought and what is the value behind it? I don't know except to say, that each has its values and its detriments. I'm not sure which array of characteristics God would prefer in mankind. I think he is the great creator of abundance and excess and yet I think he values sacrifice...
I think he is exceedingly generous and complex and creative, yet also very simple, clear, and lacking chaos whilst demonstrating order and restraint. I think maybe God likes all of it and each trait in its own unique manner. Why else would he create people with these tendencies???
Maybe environment has a part to play in how extreme these tendencies, traits and preferences play out in our lives, but I think too, that for the most part, we are what we are innately and to deny ourselves is to deny the very essence of the creator in us.
Anyway, I like being me and being with like minded people, but I also like people who are the opposite of me, and I strive to be better at valuing what they value, reflecting what they like without being ashamed of my own person. I guess though that that is what Love is about. Ahhh love, life and living are so complex. Hmmmmm anyway, its holidays and I was just thinking.....just saying!
