Rolling with the Waves

Hey there:) Been a while! How are you doing?

I know it's been a while since I've posted anything...as I heard a brilliant and inspiring economist, Tim Jackson, say in his TED talk, I've been busy keeping out the giraffes. (If you want to know what that means, watch the talk.)

I titled this post "Rolling with the Waves" because I don't particularly like the phrase "rolling with the punches" for the context of this post. For the past few months Dave and I have been rolling with the waves...life hasn't been throwing punches, just tossing waves. When this happens I find I reach a space where I come back to myself and awaken, yet again, to what is truly important in my life. And one of those things is writing, and in particular, writing this blog. It doesn't even matter if anyone reads it...I just want to write it and that's enough reason for me! So, I'm recommitting.

I glanced at the older posts before starting this one and the Budget update caught my eye. I haven't been keeping you up-to-date with a monthly budget confession, but that's okay...Dave and I are still doing well. The main thing I've realized with this budget and with our personal situation, is to "roll with the waves" of fluctuating finances. Our income and expenses change frequently, which means our budget requires maintenance. I send it out for servicing at least monthly, and it comes back all shiny and neat...then a few weeks later it's looking a little rough around the edges again. That's okay too!

To me, that just means that we are remaining conscious of it and doing our best to hold to the principles. We have made continuing efforts to reduce our expenses (getting better rates on bills like internet, phone, cable, and continuing to find smarter ways to shop), and have gotten creative in terms of our income as well, making sure that money coming in and going out are in balance. And, most importantly, we are continuing to live on cash for our regular weekly expenses. And let me tell you, after nearly 7 months of using this method, I wouldn't go back. I love knowing that the money in my bank account is for things set to come out of my account (larger, fixed expenses), and my family's life expenses are met (food, allowances, entertainment, clothes, etc).

Reminding myself that this year is one of transition for this family is key to rolling with the waves. "This too shall pass" doesn't sound heavy to me anymore, like I'm carrying some great burden...it sounds rather hopeful. That things are in a constant state of change is more of a reality to me now and it's wonderful. I am grateful for it, rather than fearful of it! To balance that is patience...not being in too much of a hurry for things to change. They will, in their own time, and not before. If we resist that fact and try to force reality into our own idea of what it should be, we will create for ourselves a world of suffering and disappointment. Not one I want to live in.

When you don't resist the waves, sometimes they may take you in a direction you didn't expect, but if you can roll with that you'll often find that what you didn't expect is wonderful.

-e:)