Amy M. Schaefer
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From the Front Porch

I am an "accidental blogger". When I launched my writing career in March of 2014, one of the things that I decided to include was my journaling, which I have always found to be a comforting and therapeutic endeavor.  It was a big risk to open myself up in such a public forum, but it has taught me that, for the most part, we share far more experiences than we think. It's comforting to know I'm not alone!  (*the "Button Text" is the link to my first novel)
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A Perfect Life

6/29/2016

2 Comments

 
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There is no such thing as a perfect life, only a life well lived. Frankly, it has taken me far too long to truly come to terms with this simple truth. If I look back along my timeline, I can pick out places where I tried way too hard for an ideal that doesn't exist, meanwhile the hours ticked past. After so much time wasted, I am extremely mindful now of what or whom I will (...or won't) give my time to, because I now understand that time is, hands down, my most precious commodity.

I am also aware of how much of me I held back from the world for a myriad of really silly reasons. Living life at "full throttle" is a different experience altogether, and it totally takes some getting used to. Sometimes I catch myself right on the tail end of some experience or another that is so raw and real I stop and fleetingly ask myself, "Was that okay?" Then I slam on my mental brakes, reminding myself of Mama Schaefer's words, "...in the end, you have nothing to lose." God, how right she was. Those who are my Tribe will stick no matter what comes, on either their road OR mine. Those who aren't will quietly fall away, and that's okay. Most aren't meant to stay on our path to its end and only share the journey with us for a little while.

I've been watching this sit-com lately on Netflix called "Grace and Frankie", and the episode last night was, in part, about having a "Say Yes" night out. "Say Yes" night is exactly what it sounds like...you say "yes" to everything ahead of you without hesitation (...although, let's face it, there would have to be SOME reservation, depending on what the experience was at hand). I want a "Say Yes" life with boundaries that are true to my own inner peace and balance. I know, I know, that's cheating, right? But not really, because saying no to anything that doesn't stick to your highest truth is a really GOOD thing. The spirit of a "Say Yes" life, however, can still be attained and that is what I want the rest of my days on this Earth to look like. Will doing that make my life "perfect"? Doubtful. What it will do is make it as close to perfect as possible and I'll take it and be grateful!
2 Comments
Angela Miles
6/29/2016 08:23:04 am

I'm in. We can do this!!!

Reply
Amy Marie
6/29/2016 09:32:50 am

I'm always your wingman, lady. Let's go!

Reply



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    About The Author

    I grew up in rural North Carolina. When I was only nineteen, I moved away and became a military wife. My only aspiration at that tender time in my life was to create an adult life that "fixed" all of the "injustices" of my childhood. Secretly, however, I wanted to reach for the sky! I wanted to be a writer and find ways to "save the world" (my mother used to say, "You have Save the World Syndrome".). Mostly, I wanted to matter.

    Since then, I have learned to reach well beyond what I ever dared to think was possible. I've learned not to allow fear to stop me from whatever future I want to create!

    What keeps me grounded? My Tribe! What provides the wind beneath my wings? A well of reserves filled with unstoppable passion!

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  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery