An Odd Little Duck: The Art of Loving Your Life

[image error]

Clumsy can usually be found either in someone's lap or on the fringe of his flock.

We have a deformed duckling named Clumsy. Sometimes I feel a little sorry for him because he doesn’t fit in with the other ducks, but he’s not exactly a house duck, either. He spends a lot of his time bouncing between the two, always slightly out of place. The older he gets, though, the more he seems to figure it out and the more he seems to have joy in life.

I can identify with little Clumsy; I used to spend a large portion of my time trying to figure out how to fit in.

When it came to choosing a career as a child, I wanted to be an actress or a writer, but I heard from friend and stranger alike that I’d never make any money at either. Only I didn’t seem to fit any of the “acceptable” careers, which left me drifting from job to job throughout my twenties.

It didn’t help that whole “fitting in” endeavor that I never liked the things others liked.  From my quirky sense of humor, to my independent nature and my tendency to share my opinions – I tended to stand out in a crowd. Eventually, I figured out that if I shut my mouth and just observed, I could blend in more easily.

Being a little city and a little country, I found my problem fitting extended to locale as well. If I was in the country, I was deemed a city girl. In the city, I was called  ”outdoorsy” and “country.”

I was making myself miserable trying to cram myself into a mold that just wasn’t me.

It wasn’t until I stopped trying to please others that I began to truly live the life I was created for. That’s when I began to get a feel for the art of loving my life. Like any art, it’s something I’m still working on. Still, I’m    on the right path.

Now I live in the country but travel enough to keep my feet from getting itchy. I still might be considered an oddity to people on both sides of the country/city divide, but at least I always have something unique to talk about wherever I am.

[image error]

Clumsy the Duck playing in his pool

On the career, I gave up worrying about money and started doing what I was meant to do, figuring the money would follow if it was meant to be. I’ve yet to go hungry, so I guess it’s working for me.

I am who I am, and I figure God must have made me this way for a reason. Part of the fun is figuring out why.

 

 

 

[image error]I wrote today’s post as part of the WOW-Women on Writing’s “The Art of Loving Your Life” Blanket Tour celebrating the release of Chique Secrets of Dolce Amore by Barbara Conelli (www.barbaraconelli.com).

Barbara Conelli is an internationally published bestselling author, seasoned travel writer specializing in Italy. In her charming, delightful and humorous Chique Books filled with Italian passion, Barb invites women to explore Italy from the comfort of their home with elegance, grace and style, encouraging them to live their own Dolce Vita no matter where they are in the world.

[image error]

Her latest book, Chique Secrets of Dolce Amore offers an intimate view into the unpredictable and extravagant city of Milan, its glamorous feminine secrets, the everyday magic of its dreamy streets, the passionate romance of its elegant hideaways, and the sweet Italian art of delightfully falling in love with your life wherever you go.

If you comment on today’s post on this blog or any of the others participating in The Art of Loving Your Life tour, you’ll be entered to win a signed copy of Chique Secrets of Dolce Amore!

To read Barbara’s post about loving life and view a list of other blogs participating in The Art of Loving Your Life tour please visit The Muffin (http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/)

Share this:



[image error]


[image error]


[image error]


[image error]


[image error]