Sometimes you have a week that humbles you, one that shocks your spirit with rapid uncertainty. I’ll get into that more another day, but the craziness I just went through reminded me why it’s so important for all of us to prioritize life and never stop holding it close to our hearts.
I’m thankful to have the strength today to pick myself up again, to log into WordPress to publish this month’s edition of The Life Enthusiast Chronicles.
And I am so happy that the Life Enthusiast is my very awesome friend, Arianna Suddreth from A Day in the Life. She was patient and supportive this past week as I filled her in on the chaos of life. It’s no surprise, because as I just mentioned, Arianna is very awesome.
I first met her over a decade ago, way back when Mr. H was her manager at their company. I immediately liked her. Her positive spirit is contagious, and she has a way of exuding beauty and kindness so casually that you don’t really know what’s happening—you just know you want to be around her.
This is the first time in the two years I’ve been running this series, that I invited a friend to be on The Life Enthusiast Chronicles. Being that she is already a fantastic writer on top of the things I gushed about already, it was a no-brainer for me to ask her…
So Arianna, what makes you enthusiastic about life?
Connect with Arianna on Twitter.
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I love this question so much. But it’s so difficult to answer.
When Britt asked me to contribute to this series, I was ecstatic because it is one of my favorite things. And then I sat down to answer the question and just stared at my screen…and I realized that the reason I was having so much trouble answering the question is because LIFE is what makes me enthusiastic. Everything about it—even the parts that suck.
A few years ago, I got married to the love of my life (after six years of dating and a year-long engagement). I didn’t change my name right away, not because I was trying to stay progressive and keep my maiden name, it just wasn’t high on my list of things to do.
But when I finally got around to it, I wrote a blog post about it—an ode celebrating my previous name and embracing my new name. I received a lot of comments from friends and family about that post.
The one that stands out the most is from my mom’s aunt. She said: “I love how you celebrate everything.”
My immediate response to her was: “Well, life is a celebration!”
I have a friend who works for Hallmark (when you live in the Kansas City area that happens) and she made a comment about my response. She told me that I’m basically the living embodiment of Hallmark’s “celebrate life” mentality. I took that as a huge compliment.
But why does life make me enthusiastic? Because I know how hard it is to create it.
I understand the absolute miracle and blessing that life is. We are all made from scratch. Like some kind of delicious, magnificent treat. Shouldn’t we treat life that way? Shouldn’t we treat each other that way?
I’m about to be a mom for the first time, and the road to get here wasn’t always easy. It involved a lot of tears and heartache and dark moments and self-doubt.
But in just a few short weeks, I will be enthusiastically celebrating a life I created…from scratch. I am in awe everyday of that fact.
The world is just one big ball of life. And one of my nieces put it best: “The world is pretty and everyone should be quiet and enjoy it.”
Because that is what life is really about. Enjoying all the pretty things the world has to offer.
Go out and enjoy life. It’s a precious miracle. And one that we should all be enthusiastic to live.
Britt Skrabanek 
What a wonderful uplifting post. Great writing and great message. I love her niece’s quote. How wonderfully simple and true.
Sorry your week was so chaotic, Britt. But you are definitely a life enthusiast so I know you will turn it into something good. In fact, it sounds like you already have.
Carrie, I also love my niece’s quote. At a young age I think she has life figured out quite nicely. I also hope she never loses that thought.
I very much endorse your comments and try to live my life that way too. Many congratulations to your friend and I sincerely hope for a happy and healthy family for her. Sorry for your troubles and I hope they’re behind you. Off now to meet the lovely lady x
Thank you for the congrats! My husband and I are very excited to meet our little one – he should be here in 18 days!
Nice post Arianna. What could the world achieve together with positivity like that. Best wishes for your big event and thereafter.
Thank you so much, Roy! My dad tells me I am a hippie all the time, and when I came home with a tattoo on my wrist that says “Kindness can change the world” he just smiled and shook his head. 🙂 Thanks for the well wishes; have a great week!
I love this post by Arianna– she really is so full of life. How can she be a writer with that kind of attitude, ha! She’s going to be a wonderful mother! Well chosen, Britt
Thanks, Dannie! I like to think that not all of us writers are cynics (yet, anyway). 🙂 I definitely have my moments, though.
Oh I love what your niece said!
And It’s true that life should be celebrated, the big moments like being pregnant (congratulations!) or even smaller moments like a perfectly brewed cup of coffee (yay!).
Another lovely post in Britt’s series!
Letizia, I love what my niece said, too! Out of the mouth of babes, huh? I just love life for all of its many facets; the messy parts, the wonderful parts. All of it. It’s such a blessing. Thank you for the congratulations and, while I don’t drink coffee, I’ll agree that a perfectly steeped cup of tea is definitely worth celebrating!
Completely agree with Adriana! Britt, once more, you’ve chosen one of the best person to embody a Life Enthusiast, and it’s once more fantastic to read someone as inspiring.
May everyone see the beauty of life and enjoy it fully!
Cheers!
Thanks for the kind words!
Britt – you’re right – Arianna is very awesome! What a great post and best of luck, Arianna 😀
Thank you, Dianne! Have a wonderful week. 🙂
I think I’m just going to sit here and be real quiet. I’m going to enjoy and celebrate life! Thanks for a great post!
Jilanne, my niece thinks that’s a great idea! 🙂 Enjoy your quiet time while celebrating life and all its beauty.
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