Sometimes it can be lonely working from home. I had been thinking about getting a fish for some time now, but I had to get past, the “pets are for kids, we already have two dogs and a hamster and it’s another responsibility” thinking.
A few days later I happened to be having a conversation with a couple women I know minimally and somehow the topic of my “fish desire” came up…no idea how we got on that topic, but… I offhandedly mentioned that I would like to have a fish in my office to look at, talk to, to help me relax.
One of the women, whom I’ll call Kay, very simply leaned over and said to me, “and so you should have a fish.”
And somehow I heard her words in my head “giving me permission” to have something I would like. Then, I had to ask myself why I would need permission to have something I want. Why does indulging in our wants, our wishes cause many of us to break out into “selfish guilt” hives?
Still trying to figure that one out…but in the meantime…
What things do you long for, but deny yourself because you “need permission?” I’m not talking about extravagant budget-breaking expenditures, I’m talking about often small things that your very soul desires, that you refuse for no real reason.
I give you permission and in Kay’s simple words, “and so you should…”
An update: It is now Nov. 2012 and “Fin” my red fish is still alive and well and keeping me company as I work every day…
