Hey y’all it’s been awhile! I feel like I say that every time, probably because I do, life ya know?! A post is way overdue and today felt like the right time. This post is going to be a bit of a book review too since it goes along with how I’m feeling today. So bear with me if you don’t read, you’re gonna read this anyway, and hell maybe you’ll go buy a book later?!
Okay so I think most of us know who Matthew McConaughey is. If not, well what damn rock have you been living under the last 20 plus years?! Maybe you know him for his many movies or his famous line “Alright, alright, alright!” but did you know he’s now an author? Yes it’s a memoir but man was it good! I read it in less than 24 hours, I’d have probably finished it last night had my eyes not been getting heavy. I like this man before, I like him now even better.
He wrote it like he speaks, not just the tone of his voice, but the characteristics and mannerisms; it was like he was reading it to me. While it’s a biography of his life thus far he did such a wonderful job not making it dull. He shares so much of his personal self and includes many, many notes, sayings and quotes that he has written down over the years. He made me think about my journaling because it’s very recent for me, I’ve only been doing it since June and I typically only do it during my Monday thru Friday morning routine. I never take it with me, I treat it like a diary writing down summaries of the previous day, I never think to just write down a funny saying or a moment that happens that I may want to reflect on later. I think that needs to change.
While I knew that he and his wife tended to live on the more minimalistic side of Hollywood’s normal lifestyle I didn’t realize until this book just how ingrained in him that is. Before meeting his wife he once spent time being a nomad and traveling the continent in his Airstream. Bet you didn’t know that?! I also bet that you didn’t know that when he and Camilla first got together they lived in this same Airstream. Based on some podcasts I’ve heard I believe he still owns what he affectionately calls “The Canoe” and has enjoyed it with his children now as well.
I don’t want to give away too much because you really need to read it for yourself. I resonated with so much of his story and especially the fact that multiple times in his life he has paused to find himself, figure out where’s heading and review this thing called life. It wasn’t just that one day he decided to “grow up” or get married or start a family. He has been through different phases in his life where he has felt the need to reevaluate where he’s been and where he’s going. I LOVE THAT!
I’ve commented many times on the fact that I have loved my 40’s; this has by far been my best decade yet. I’ve often just thought to myself that I need to enjoy it and I finally have life figured out and that’s why it’s so much more fun now. But I realized today how stupid that is. Anything can happen during the rest of my years that may have me hitting pause and reevaluating my own life and thinking okay NOW this is the best there is. And what joy that brings!!
Some have been enlightened with David and I’s dream to travel. We’ve been thinking and talking about it more and more lately and today it is definitely weighing on my heart. Most importantly because it finally dawned on me that we are planning this all wrong. Yes it requires planning and yes a lot goes into traveling around in a camper and living the nomad lifestyle. BUT the most important reason we want to do it is to enjoy our time here. To see new things, meet new people, experience life and not be so tied down to the stuff that our current life (and most of yours) relates to.
Minimalism. It is such a novel idea to most. What do you mean you live in a tiny house? What do you mean you only have 5 outfits? What do you mean you don’t buy things? But really, if you really sit back and reflect on life that is where we all came from. Life, our country, the world, it’s all changed so much. Now we must have a big house with bedrooms for each kid, a dining room, a family room, a basement and a garage. We want a full wardrobe for every season with matching shoes and accessories. We buy every new thing we see that we like; gadgets, decorations, furniture, you name it we buy it. But why? Have you ever asked yourself that?
So many things in life are like the big red light that stops you right where you are. Others are yellow and make you slow down and think. But man that green light that is the one I want to keep chasing. The one that tells you to just keep living your life!
Just some things I’m pondering today. Hell most days really. Today I felt like I wanted to share. Most importantly I wanted to talk about this book. If you haven’t already, go buy the thing, or do what I did and borrow it from the library! You won’t regret it I promise and I’m going to link it below. This is no affiliate link I won’t make a dime, I just want you to read the book!
~Carla
Arise and Glow 