Experiences.

why is it i always feel a wave of calmness after reading your thoughts?

Glad to hear you had such a wonderful weekend just hanging with Chris. Mark and I are due for some quality alone time, hope we get it soon. Love your view on experiences, rather than "stuff" to fulfill you. I have to agree. The stuff we fill our lives with never seems to make us happy for very long, but the relationships we cultivate with others (family, friends, co-workers) is what really matters in the long run. Mark reminded me this weekend that "you can't take it with you!" and that is so true! So thanks, today I will focus on remebering the moments and not the stuff!

An audience of one - more than enough, but quite enough to start with. I admire your perspective.

ha - burger king bathroom:)
Brad and I are right where you're at, working hard at this relationship, making time for each other - connecting - talking more - touching more - whispering sweet and not so sweet things to each other..it's hard....kids are bittersweet.
I still like my couch - you almost made me feel guilty for a second, lol.

Cracking up over the Burger King bathroom breakthrough!!
I love that you always make me stop and think, Ali. I struggle with being fufilled with experiences rather than stuff. Thanks for the reminder to slow down.

Opening up to experience life, love, dreams, hopes, dissapointments -- all that is out there, is something I struggle with, trying to gain pleasure or fulfillment from "stuff" is often so much easier, but it doesn't last. Choosing to experience will.

Can totally relate - I have been struggling with where I am in my life and where I'm going. AllI know is that I want my family to be the focal point (Mike, Evan and I) than gradually be able to grow and extend. Having Evan is the greatest blessing, but also the greatest challenge. I've noticed the last few months since I am home with him most days that it's to easy to just buy things on line (especially scrapbook related) to "help me feel better" on those low point days. Fortunately, I'm starting to realize reaching out to others for that boost is just as fulfilling. Finding others who can relate and understand. Glad your weekend was so fabulous!!

wonderful ponderings today Ali. Thanks for sharing with us.
Angie

LOL about the BK bathroom. I always get those breakthrough thoughts or ideas when I'm in the shower. Must be something about the bathroom experience that makes one mind open up and "breath"... Just got my Amazon confirmation that all the books you've recommended are on the way! Live out Loud and Encyclopedia should be arriving soon. Now quit doing that because I'm trying to get debt free! LOL :-) Thanks for always being so real.

Love to start my day by reading your insights, Ali. Always gives me something to ponder during the day. And you're right on target here - to draw satisfaction from the mere experience is truly what makes life worth living. Thanks for providing this little reality check for me today :)

Sounds like we are thinking along the same lines today. :)

Great Blog, Ali! Your words hit right at home here, too. I love reading your blogs, they're right up there will my daily Google News.

Wow. So glad to know I am not the only one who has been enlightened when in the presense of a Whopper with cheese.

A timely topic for sure. I can vouch that the "high" of something new and pretty is only temporal. When will I ever learn? Actually, I already know this...it's just a matter of committing myself to it. Thanks for the reminder. :)

And just wanted to add, you indeed never know when inspiration will strike! It shows absolutely no discrimination, nor taste! :D

Reading your blog is an "experience" for me....I feel like I am in the presence of many like-minded people. And that gives me great peace! Thank you for your incredibly current and well-said words!
Tammy

i totally understand this. i am glad you guys had such an awesome time. hope you can find many more little trips to go on. :)

I couldn't agree more. There is so much more to life than "things", although sometimes it's hard to keep that in perspective. Glad you guys had a great time.

nothing like a weekend with just the two of you to reconnect. I love those times together. and so true about shopping therapy...it's only short term happiness.

You know, this is the one thing I regret that we rarely do. Time together alone, without kids. With no family remotely close, it is so hard. We need to though. I need to relax a bit more and rely on babysitters, just to have an evening out. So important. Thanks for the reminder today :).