Hygge

What is Hygge? Well, honestly…I didn’t know either until I started reading the book about it.

Long story short…it’s about creating an atmosphere in your home…through light, presence, pleasure, equality, gratitude, harmony, comfort, truce, togetherness and shelter.

I have been on a long journey…and I feel that I still have so far to go. Around four years ago…I started “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp…and it was life changing. I started focusing on a ministry that would bring joy and laughter to each person I came into contact with. I learned to make homemade soaps…creating a product that brings simplicity and beauty as an art form, in an everyday product. I started learning to cook more…inviting more into our home…creating an atmosphere of warmth, love, and good food…and hopefully fun.

Then, I listened to the “ugly” of the world…the negativity…the hateful jealousies….and I became someone I didn’t like.

Our pastor on Sunday…told us to pray for our enemies…pray for those that lie about us…and hurt us….and I could barely bring myself to say the names of those who have done so much to hurt me…for absolutely no reason but jealously.

The truth is, I don’t want to be a person that doesn’t laugh…doesn’t love…doesn’t share gifts…because of those that do evil.. I don’t want to be in a prison…because they put me there. Prison is not allowing yourself to let others love you…ask for help…and dare to let people realize…this really is who you are.

I teach clown classes at our local homeschool co-op. I honestly thought this would be a disaster…that I would have like two kids and they would just sit there and say how lame I am….but really, they have been a balm to my soul. There is nothing greater than laughter…nothing better than children telling you your important…and they they love your class…I have no idea why I needed to hear it so much…but every week for five weeks…this is what they have said to me…no matter the mistakes (they rarely pointed them out) no matter what…they just said each week how much they loved my class and our co-op…and I realized…encouraging words….and loving hearts…and a pure sense of love…is what children possess. It’s we as adults that ruin that for them….

Oh I’ve been beat up…I’ve had terrible things done to me…said about me…and the cabin in the woods…on a desolate mountain…where only the UPS driver and internet can find me…is not the life that God wants me to live….

I argued with God on Sunday…had a private conversation with my pastor in my head as well…telling both of them…I’ve been through enough…like…35 years man…what more can you all want?

Happiness doesn’t come from isolation…oh don’t get me wrong…we all need vacations…and time away. Massages and facials and special “spa” days…do help me become a better Mom…but I can’t do that everyday…that would make me spoiled…and ungrateful.

We as humans, are meant to be together. We are social beings…we NEED one another.

The beauty of homeschool co-op? Conversations with other homeschool moms…and our frustrations.

I find great encouragement from moms whose children are away at college…as moms find encouragement from me with three adult children. The good, the bad, and the ugly….all helpful.

Today, I invite you…come back out and try again…say no to those that hurt you…and know that not all humans are horrible humans.

I tell myself…I will be hurt again…but God will have to fight for me…because I am no good by myself…and it took a small class of the sweetest little clowns…to give me the courage to try once again…

Don’t let the mean girls win…the good girls need you…join me!