The Why, 2.18.25

 

Simple,cozy spaces make me SO happy.

A few people have asked me "Why the name Simply Schusters?" Well, the name really does say it all. We are simply Schusters. A family with highlights and shadows, ups and downs, laughter and tears, and lots of simple, in-between moments. We've been through a lot together and I think that's what has made us realize what is really important and what isn't. We try to just live a simple life, with no agenda or the need to compete or compare ourselves to anyone. We spend our lives doing what we love to do, not what will bring in the most money, the most recognition, the most acclaim. We recognize and appreciate what is really important- loving each other, supporting each other and lifting each other up and trying to do the same for others. I started this blog to share simple ways we've brought happiness and contentment into our own lives, hoping it will inspire you to seek out your own way to be content and happy with the life you have right now. It could be as simple as sharing home or shopping tips or as complicated as sharing ways to live with grief or overcome anger and resentment.  

What has been on my mind, lately, is comparison, competition and judging. In my past life, when my kids were young, I remember spending hours at a time with family members, gossiping and judging others as if we were perfect. I can't speak for others in the conversations, but in reality, I was jealous. Jealous of what others had, the way they looked, what they did, the life they lived, etc. Life was a competition and I was miserable in it. Thankfully, I've lived through times that forced me to look at the shadowy parts of myself and recognize I was making myself, and the people around me, miserable. Through this lens, I realized that all of the shadowy parts that were revealed were based on deep-seated fear. All of it. Fear of missing out. Fear of not being "good enough". Fear of losing something or someone. Fear of not having enough. Fear of not being loved. 

Recently, I've been reflecting on the way I spend my time now and the way our family interacts with each other now that we have come through some hard times and landed on the other side. Now, I fill my time trying to better myself. I don't want to leave this life in fear. I want to leave this life with a legacy of kindness, compassion and doing good things for others and for myself.  Now, our family doesn't sit around judging others, we sit around talking about our own lives and how to make life better. A recent ah-ha moment happened this week. I was at my daughter's and son-in-law's house, with my son and daughter-in-law, who live out of town, on speaker phone. We spent an hour or so just sat chatting about ways to beat boredom, what life was like when each of us were little kids, and planning a vacation together. Wow. Big difference from 10 or so years ago. Are we perfect? Absolutely not. Sometimes not-so-positive conversations come up. But I realize now that I recognize when it is happening and that we don't linger over these negative conversations or have them affect how we feel about our own lives. Again, we are not perfect, but I'm proud of us. I'm proud of us for lots of reasons, but especially for this. 

This house took us back to our simple upbringings. My husband and I both grew up in homes very similar in layout and size. This simple home makes us very happy, without feelings of wanting "more".

I challenge you to look at your own life and try to reflect as objectively as you can about your own fears and how those fears may be affecting how you feel about yourself, how you feel about others and how you interact with the people in your world. Admitting to being fearful is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, recognizing fear and facing it takes courage and strength. Above all else, though, it's humbling. And I think we could all use a dose of humble pie once in a while, right?

Be Good. Do Good. 

~ Juli