Ok ... I've been out for awhile doing some minor adjustments to my living room. I painted the walls a delightful shade of blue, replaced the 20 year old furniture and added an HDTV. I've done what I can to stimulate the economy as well as give my place a new look!
When I shop for furniture, I'm looking first for comfort. Like Goldilocks, I want it to be just right - not too soft, not too firm. When I was in the showroom, the sofa felt just right. However, when it arrived and I sat on it at home, I couldn't get comfortable. I had a moment of panic when I thought of what I had paid for something I couldn't sit on! As I continued looking for ways to sit comfortably on my new sofa, I remembered that I had been sitting on my old sofa for over twenty years! I definitely had a well-worn groove that fit me perfectly - or so I thought.
Because the new sofa is now the only sofa, I have to find ways to adjust. I've plumped the pillows, snuggled in the corners, bounced in the middle and generally been working to make the new feel like the old. Ah, but it's not the old! I got rid of the old because it was no longer working for me. The well-worn groove was creating its own discomfort. And we all know where this is going, don't we?
How many of our old ways are no longer working for us? The familiar patterns and comfortable routines no longer bring the desired results. And yet, it's hard to let go of the way we've always done it. As I learn to settle into the new sofa, I'm finding a new experience of being comfortable. It's not like the old. It has its own feel and you know what? I'm liking it!
4 comments:
Yea!!! I missed you! Ooop!... No guilt.
What a terrific analogy! I can think of a dozen worn out things in my head (or maybe it's my heart) that are worn out. I DO keep hanging on to them because they are comfortable. Even if they are cracked and scratchy and smell. And, that new thing? Umm ... really? Ohh. Is that how it's suppose to be? It's a wonder and a relief when it when we realize we like it! You Go Ahead grrrl!
Thanks Fe! I missed being here.
It's amazing what lessons we can learn from doing the supposedly mundane things in life.
We can see that 20-year old furniture definitely shows I have an affinity for holding on to things. Now to actually start clearing out some of those old ways and not just find new ways to hold on to them!
OK, FT, you know that the standard joke about furniture replacement has to do with the wife replacing the husband's Barcolounger or LaZ Boy-- and he complains because he'd worked 20 years to get the "grooves" just right in that chair!
So, mama's got a brand new "groove"? Or has to get her "new" groove on? Or get her "groove" back, like Stella?
My advice? Get one of those new, Snugglie blanket-things with arms, and a stack of Jane Austin books-on-dvd, and kick back for a weekend with a box o' chocolates and something to wet your whistle! You'll break in your HDTV AND your couch at the same time!
Esp if you make a pajama party of it, just you and your other "fellow travelers," and lotsa popcorn to throw at the screen! Believe me, after about 20 hours you'll have 20 years of "groove" and your new couch will fit you like your favorite pair of pumps!
If you only buy a new sofa every 20 years, every one you buy from now on, including this one, becomes the "last" one you buy. Work on wearing 'em out quicker, so you never know which one is the last one! (Did I tell you I used to work on commission from Levitz? HA!)
Blessings on your beautiful way of making all things new...
Thanks Trxtr ...
You make me laugh ... and smile.
OK, I can work on getting a new groove, and a pajama party, but that Snugglie blanket-thing just won't work for me! Ha! I also have one other way to break in this furniture - a group of college kids making this the "movie" place. It'll definitely be worn out quicker, so I can get on with buying the next "last couch I'll ever own" much sooner!
Furniture salesmen, rejoice!
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