tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post4473920132008201760..comments2024-03-28T08:54:28.654+08:00Comments on Cresting The Hill: HOW GRATEFUL ARE YOU FOR THE LIFE YOU HAVE NOW?Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623420015695351280noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-87173860488999085852022-08-09T10:35:08.069+08:002022-08-09T10:35:08.069+08:00Hi Kirstin - I'm so glad you found the time to...Hi Kirstin - I'm so glad you found the time to pop by even without a post of your own. It's always lovely to stay in touch with other bloggers and check in on what they're writing about isn't it?Leannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05623420015695351280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-89597483295311888432022-08-09T10:34:19.660+08:002022-08-09T10:34:19.660+08:00I think that's the perfect way to live Janet -...I think that's the perfect way to live Janet - enjoy what you have and prepare for the future. Retirement is so much better than I ever expected, but I also enjoyed the decades leading up to it too.Leannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05623420015695351280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-83628338298709070202022-08-08T22:26:51.349+08:002022-08-08T22:26:51.349+08:00So good Leanne. I feel like I can say the same. Th...So good Leanne. I feel like I can say the same. Though I don't know when retirement will come for us...no post for me this week...I just couldn't get it together, but still going to visit everyone since I completely flopped at visiting everyone last week. Kirstinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17792132554787453551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-5799343809302222952022-08-08T01:35:50.055+08:002022-08-08T01:35:50.055+08:00A wise and lovely post! Your goals sound a lot lik...A wise and lovely post! Your goals sound a lot like mine. I'm very much looking forward to retirement but also trying to enjoy the present.Janet Alcornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09175655692094831262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-75623385260217908072022-08-07T17:07:33.397+08:002022-08-07T17:07:33.397+08:00That oldest child club should come with warning la...That oldest child club should come with warning labels! My husband has no understanding of why I take everything on board, or need to keep all my ducks in a row, or please everybody around me (you can tell he's not one of the club members!)Leannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05623420015695351280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-17882408437912238582022-08-07T17:06:35.710+08:002022-08-07T17:06:35.710+08:00Hi Lydia - I like the idea that when you're ha...Hi Lydia - I like the idea that when you're happy in your own life, you can turn it outwards and invest in the lives of others. I feel like I have more to offer these days - or maybe a bigger cup to draw from than I did when I was so busy in my younger days. And I refuse to let the mess that our world's in impact me more than it needs to - there's only so much we can do and I let the rest go to a higher power.Leannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05623420015695351280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-81676347445413529792022-08-07T17:04:33.830+08:002022-08-07T17:04:33.830+08:00Hi Natalie - I can tell when I read your posts how...Hi Natalie - I can tell when I read your posts how content you are with your life and the freedom you have to explore the world around you now that you're retired. We're so fortunate to be where we are and it's nice to pause occasionally and remind ourselves how blessed we are.Leannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05623420015695351280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-68759848026551764152022-08-07T16:52:26.263+08:002022-08-07T16:52:26.263+08:00Hi Jennifer - the 'compare and despair' tr...Hi Jennifer - the 'compare and despair' trap is so real isn't it? I just keep reminding myself that I never expected to be so comfortable financially at this stage. I thought we'd be scrambling to try to build our nest egg, but living frugally and wisely has paved the way to a quietly content life - and that's more than enough for me. Nothing and nobody can take that gratitude away from me :)Leannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05623420015695351280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-49740984046331397812022-08-07T06:06:30.678+08:002022-08-07T06:06:30.678+08:00I am right there with you Leanne, including being ...I am right there with you Leanne, including being in the older child club. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-50455941333820553332022-08-06T05:43:13.117+08:002022-08-06T05:43:13.117+08:00Lovely post. No one should ever excuse being happy...Lovely post. No one should ever excuse being happy where they are in life. Ultimately that's all you boil down to. But that state of being is the perfect state to give back and lift others....a rising tide lifts all boats. Ultimately, we are only as good as the state of the world around us. That causes me a little bit of pressure, a feeling of not doing enough. The 'how to' can be a little overwhelming for me at times...Lydia C. Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13911667428856165902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-136513623296351192022-08-06T05:30:36.072+08:002022-08-06T05:30:36.072+08:00Hi Leanne, Thank you for your weekend coffee share...Hi Leanne, Thank you for your weekend coffee share. It's wonderful to hear how happy and grateful you are with your life now. You've made it happen through hard work and making good choices. I'm grateful for every new day and feel happy with my life, too. NatalieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-3972061697056392712022-08-06T00:12:44.276+08:002022-08-06T00:12:44.276+08:00A warm and content abundance - that sums up my sea...A warm and content abundance - that sums up my season of life (well, my life) so well! So much of your post totally resonated with me. I am so very blessed and honestly have "achieved" the life we prayed for so often. A life similar to what you described. But I also know the enemy so longs to ruin it for me...especially the contentment. The gratitude and appreciation for all the blessings. I seem to struggle too often (with my attitude) and I appreciate your reminder of just how good this life is!!Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02922994263280650480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-86249552550084199752022-08-05T18:20:40.539+08:002022-08-05T18:20:40.539+08:00Hi Jo - that's a good way to put it. I look ba...Hi Jo - that's a good way to put it. I look back at all the hard work, the saving, the scrimping, making wise choices etc and I think they're paying off now - and I'm grateful for that every day. It's so nice to be where I'd hoped we'd one day get to (not rich, but certainly not living under that bridge!)Leannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05623420015695351280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-23203973770526970962022-08-05T04:51:29.673+08:002022-08-05T04:51:29.673+08:00I don't think it's blowing your own trumpe...I don't think it's blowing your own trumpet so much as recognising that the life you have now isn't lucky, in the fallen into your lap sort of luck, but rather the product of hard work and building structures that can now support you. I really love this.Jo Traceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01096756433952821037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-7495423544190194102022-08-04T08:49:24.910+08:002022-08-04T08:49:24.910+08:00Hi Christie - I just finished reading your post ab...Hi Christie - I just finished reading your post about the final goodbye to your mum, and it's the perfect example of choosing to see the good and the deeper meaning in an event, rather than being sidetracked or disappointed when things aren't perfect. You'll look back on this time with such bitter sweet memories and I think that's part of the process of grief and letting go isn't it? I'm so glad you're moving forward towards truly feeling happy again. xxLeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05623420015695351280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-29955367894963009582022-08-04T02:15:39.875+08:002022-08-04T02:15:39.875+08:00I love this, Leanne, the fact that you are living ...I love this, Leanne, the fact that you are living contentedly and abundantly without the constant striving for more. The fact that you realize that you have everything you need and that you take the time to appreciate it is wonderful. No one is happy all the time, and I think part of the problem is thinking that you should be, feeling guilty or frustrated that you can't achieve that. All emotions are legitimate and have their place. That said, who wouldn't want to be happy more than sad, angry, or anxious? I experienced some anxiety during our recent trip to Alaska and saying goodbye one more time to my mother. Eventually I realized the anxiety was tied more to how I thought the experience should be. Once I accepted what was, I was able to move through the disappointment and embrace the experience as it was. Today I woke up at peace and truly happy once again.Christie Hawkeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14897036282962474586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-31962706281825743682022-08-03T08:03:09.570+08:002022-08-03T08:03:09.570+08:00Yvonne, I know exactly what it feels like to be in...Yvonne, I know exactly what it feels like to be in a place where others seem to be thriving while you're struggling. You're happy for them but would just like a small slice of the pie too. I'm writing a post on chronic pain and hopefully it will resonate with you too because it impacts so deeply on how we see our world doesn't it? xxLeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05623420015695351280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-44839703481596235442022-08-02T23:19:51.566+08:002022-08-02T23:19:51.566+08:00Leanne, thank you so much for your support and und...Leanne, thank you so much for your support and understanding! A kind response or word makes things more bearable .I never underestimate such gestures as a kind word, a smile or even a wave. They make such a difference in one's life.Yvonnenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-39168361440337167602022-08-02T17:01:01.175+08:002022-08-02T17:01:01.175+08:00Hi Pradeep - I think the hard times definitely tea...Hi Pradeep - I think the hard times definitely teach us, strengthen us, and give us a deeper appreciation for the good times when they finally roll around. I'm sure there are people who never did it tough - and they're very fortunate, but for those of us who worked hard for a long time, it's nice to pause and give ourselves a little acknowledgement for all the work we put in to arrive at our destination.Leannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05623420015695351280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-27944111210094939292022-08-02T16:59:14.521+08:002022-08-02T16:59:14.521+08:00Hi Christina - I think there are a lot of us who h...Hi Christina - I think there are a lot of us who have worked very hard in the preceding decades to reach the point where we can ease off a little bit and open our eyes to the fact that we're actually living the life we dreamed of back when we were young. I'm grateful for that every day xLeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05623420015695351280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-90931252473609759902022-08-02T15:30:25.711+08:002022-08-02T15:30:25.711+08:00Hi Leanne. I'm so grateful to be living a life...Hi Leanne. I'm so grateful to be living a life so full of opportunities, adventures, and happiness! We are both so blessed! Thank you for sharing, dear friend. xxxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-24694816167639989852022-08-02T14:53:24.361+08:002022-08-02T14:53:24.361+08:00Hi Leanne, nothing like having no regrets. That...Hi Leanne, nothing like having no regrets. That's a blessing. We should be grateful for all the good moments, and for all the opportunities from which we could learn and improve ourselves. When learn to be grateful, we also learn not to take the good things in life for granted. When we are grateful, we also get energized with positivity that makes this life so much worthwhile. Pradeep Nairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04873369124947878452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-27322941895301318912022-08-02T08:33:33.592+08:002022-08-02T08:33:33.592+08:00Hi Yvonne - I know exactly what you're saying....Hi Yvonne - I know exactly what you're saying. I don't think life ever gives most of us a free run with all our ducks in a row, there always seems to be some little glitch (or big one) that reminds us that we can't control everything. I'm so sorry for your pain - mine is minor in comparison, but present all day (and night) and I know how discouraging it can be. I remind mysellf that the rest of my life is really good and I've worked hard to reach this point. It helps to balance to not-so-nice stuff when I think about how hard it would be to manage if I was in a much more difficult life situation. Hang in there xxLeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05623420015695351280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-41809462418144016102022-08-02T08:30:30.542+08:002022-08-02T08:30:30.542+08:00Hi Corinne - there were so many little things to u...Hi Corinne - there were so many little things to unlearn for me. I think they were protection mechanisms, but really they were just things that held me back and made life more complex and stressful. I'm still a work in progress, but I'm liking "me" more as I get older and hopefully wiser.Leannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05623420015695351280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722898771124083282.post-21693673638968623972022-08-01T21:57:24.558+08:002022-08-01T21:57:24.558+08:00I agree with what you're saying but even with...I agree with what you're saying but even with the best plan and hard work one can find herself in conditions out of one's control such as health issues. It changes everything. I try to cultivate gratefulness everyday but there are days when I am in so much pain that I have a difficult time seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Leanne, you know to a certain degree how I am feeling because of your hip problem.Yvonnenoreply@blogger.com