Living to the Fullest: Can a Single Mom do it?

Note from Adrian: This week's guest post is from one of my internet friends named Kateri. She's a 27 year old single mother living in New York. She writes often about her life as she experience it at her blog, which you should subscribe to. Be sure to read this post and leave her some epic feedback in the form of a comment!

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When I start writing, I try to really make sure I understand what it is I am typing about. So, yeah, I Google’d the topic. Do you know how much phony bologna websites there is about “Living Life to the Fullest” or “Living an Abundant Life”?

There are TOO MANY.

So, now that I have sworn off being correctly informed on the topic… what shall I do?

There was a time that I didn’t live at all. Not to say that I didn’t wake up and go through the motions. I did those things – eat, shower (mostly), and sleep. However, that was not living; it was existing.

I feel that on the whole, our society exists. We wake up, we go to work (or don’t go to work), we come home, we eat, and then we go to sleep. Rinse and repeat. Yup, I once existed, with no drive to be more, and no conviction to try for better.

Then, I had my son. Now, for some people, children are the joy of their lives: it’s a feeling only expressed because society tells them to. When I had my son, I literally saw a light. I wasn’t supposed to, you see. I was supposed to be very lucid after giving birth. I lost a little too much blood, and being anemic, I passed out. I saw the light while passing out.

However, when I woke up, there was Emry, in all of his awesomeness. And now that I was aware, I knew everything had to change.

There was no more waking up whenever I felt like it.

There was no more working when I felt like it.

No more unsavory people, situations, or behaviors that I had become accustomed to, that I had grown to secretly hate, but would never say such because I was too far gone.

Looking at him, there was no choice. I had to live. I had to push forward and see that there was more to life, more than just the motions.

I call that Day 1.

Since then, I have strived to better myself (and Emry) by truly becoming an adult. I got me some edjucation. Hahaha – I know you all would get my joke. But, seriously, I found something I was good at, and I went to school for it. I got a degree and then… I didn’t use it. Turns out that what I was good at wouldn’t pay the bills. Wouldn’t support my son and I.

(Yes, I was married during this time, but we weren’t happy, and my change of direction made things worse. Not the reason for this post, so let’s just say… It’s always been my kid and me on this journey.)

Now, the feelings of defeat were starting to set in, and I really thought that I would never get anywhere.

Soon, though, another light appeared. That light’s name is Melissa. Melissa is undoubtedly my best friend and is the one of the purest people I have ever met. She gave me a lifeline. She told me about the position I now work at.

I work in the field of healthcare, and positions of worth are few and far between. However, this one was a perfect fit. I got in, even though I was sure they hated me, and have been working here for the past 1 ½ years. It’s a Christian-based organization, so really, how could they hate me? But, you find hate, or fear, in any organization.

After the 3 years of hard work, studying, defeat, and the almost loss of motivation, I had taken another step in the right direction.

Sounds quirky, right? Sounds Lifetime movie-esque?

Well, it’s the truth. Plain and simple. It all ties together, though.

To live life to its fullest, you must make positive steps in your growth as a person. Whether it is through your faith or other belief systems, you need to make a plan and stick with it. The plan can be modified, as long as you keep pushing.

Never compromise your values to get what you want. Good things come in time to those who deserve them.

You do not want to live the life you want based on the fact you schemed, or acted duplicitously. It wouldn’t truly satisfy you when you did get it. It would never be truly earned.

Living honestly and truly – that’s living life to the fullest.

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Questions: Do you know any single parents? How do they make time to live life to the fullest? If you were in the same situation, how would you strive to life more fully?

This guest post was part of a guest post series called "Living to the Fullest." Interested in joining in? I'm still looking for submissions! Just write up a post, or even just an idea, and e-mail it my way.

Living to the Fullest: Can a Teenager do it?

Note from Adrian: Today's guest post comes from my sister, Tanna Waller. She's an aspiring writer and singer, and has a rockin' awesome YouTube channel that you should subscribe to. Enjoy her post and leave her some love in the comments section!

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I’m seventeen years old.

I’m too young. Too naïve. Too ignorant or innocent.

In many peoples’ minds, I’ve hardly lived life at all.

But in my short seventeen years I’ve learned many things.

I’ve learned that you have to give to get. Not everyone is going to like you, no matter how hard you try. You have to treasure the moments you have with your loved ones because there will never be enough of them. I’ve learned that family, friends, and even your enemies are all important, and all deserve to be loved.

I’ve learned that life is about adapting, about changing, and about making the best out of any situation, no matter how hopeless it may be.

Take my brother, for instance. He has a ferret on his face – you know, that thing he calls a beard. People tell me that it’s weird, or that he needs to shave it. Maybe that it’s not “Christian” or “Godly.” But I say, Power to The Ferret. If that’s what makes my brother happy, then so be it; that’s what should make everyone happy.

Take my sister. She got pregnant when she was seventeen (the same age I am, in case you didn’t catch that). She was too young, naïve, ignorant, innocent. But she got pregnant, and she had that child, and her son is my favorite person in the world. It wasn’t the best situation, but we have always made the best out of it.

Now take my father. He died when I was thirteen. Before he died, he wasn’t always a steady figure in my life. He wasn’t always the best person to be around, and he didn’t always do the best things. But I loved him. I loved him with all of my heart, and I still do. He was taken tragically from my life, and from my family’s lives, but we’ve made the best out of that situation.

My family and I have realized that we need to show each other love, and be kind to each other. For instance, every Friday, my dad’s side of the family and I get together and have dinner. The pizza is terrible, but I treasure those Friday nights because I don’t know how many more of them I’ll have.
I treasure my grandparents, my aunts and uncles, my cousins, my siblings, and my mother, because I have no idea when any of them will be taken from me.

So, I’m seventeen. I don’t know anything, but I do know how to love. I know how to give. I know how important every person in my life is. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Because that’s what living life to the fullest is all about.

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Questions: What did living life to the fullest look like for you when you were 17? How different was it from the life that Tanna describes here? 

This guest post was part of a guest post series called "Living to the Fullest." Interested in joining in? I'm still looking for submissions! Just write up a post, or even just an idea, and e-mail it my way.

Living to the Fullest

When I started this blog a year and a half ago, I wasn't sure what to make of it.

I didn't think I'd be posting regularly, but I also wanted people to read and to share their thoughts.

Both of those things, though, seem to have come (at least partially) true.

I think that we've really lacked something around here, though. And no, I'm not talking about a time machine (though I'm working on it).

What I'm talking about is a decent guest post series. Sound interesting? Keep reading.

I'd like to feature pieces from people just like YOU, whether you're a blogger or not, about how you personally live life to the fullest. I'm looking for a lot of different perspectives, so don't be afraid to think outside the box on this one.

If you're interested, here are the steps you should take:

1) Write about a time you've lived life to the fullest or how you regularly live an abundant life. Basically, if it sorta, kinda fits this idea, I'll probably like it.

2) Make sure it's less than 750 words - because that's about my attention span.

3) E-mail your post to me... now! Here's my e-mail: awaller1990@gmail.com. 

4) I'll respond with any ideas/edits I have and when I'd like to post it. I reserve the right to deny a request for guest posting, but that'll probably only happen if you make fun of my beard.

I'd like to start featuring posts next week, if possible, so let's make it happen, people! And if you aren't sure what to write about, get up from your computer, step away, and live a little - and then write about it! Simple enough? Great. Can't wait to hear from you!

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Questions: Do you think you'll submit a guest post? Why or why not? What will you write about?

Did you enjoy this post? If so, I'd appreciate you subscribing to Life Before the Bucket and sharing it with your friends. Thanks a million for reading!