Barbie-mentality

After meditating on yesterday's 1 John study, I was reminded of an article I wrote for the Refried Times (www.refriedtimes.com). Refried is a place that allows authors to tell stories about 'life' from their perspective.
I was assigned a story in the Life Style section. Barbie-mentality came out of a realization that what I strive for isn't always focused on my true purpose.
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Barbie-mentality

When I was small, I loved to play with Barbie and Ken. I had the tiny clothes, the pink car, and all the accessories. In my play-world Barbie was the best wife and Ken was an amazing husband. I would play this scene for hours making my own perfect utopia.
As I look back on my childhood, I think about the dreams I had for my life, the way I wanted to grow up, and I see that much of those dreams were birthed because of Barbie. What I hoped for and what I strove to be was someone who had it all together- the clothes, the family, the white picket fence- the American Dream. Ken was a successful businessman, Barbie was the best dressed, I wanted my world to have the best of everything. I’ve come to realize that my dreams, and I dare say many of your dreams, are birthed from this “love of the ideal.”
Who doesn’t strive to be the best or have the best? Who doesn’t love making lots of money? Who wouldn’t love success? Nothing is wrong with these things, but when will we realize that the American Dream and the pursuit of happiness often take us away from loving the simple things in our lives?
In my utopia, there were no flat tires, no family members with cancer and no job lay-offs. Ken was always home in time for a home-cooked dinner, and my dolls never knew the meaning of being tired. I’m learning that I can’t expect my life to be this dream when I was never promised perfection or a life free of struggle. I realize now that I don’t want to live my life pursuing the American Dream. I want to live a simple life, not a life in hopes of an ideal husband, a perfect home, sweet children, and a successful job. What I love most about life are Saturday mornings when I have nothing on my schedule, attending sports games, trying new foods, and having coffee with an old friend. However, many times I find myself back in the Barbie mentality - filling my schedule with things to make me a better employee, to make my home a bit nicer, to be more educated in my field. My calendar has little time for the things I really love. My goal is to sit a bit longer, love a bit deeper. I commit to looking at my schedule as something I control- not something that controls me. I will purposefully slow down and love the little things; I will deal with the flat tires and sick family members as they come, and those things will be reminders that I do not control my world. Every unscheduled unpleasantry that comes along will be dealt with and will serve as a note that the Barbie-mentality is not real and life is much more than striving for perfection.
How much happier would we be if we let go of those ideals and spent more time living in the things we truly love? I challenge you to figure out what you love and spend more time doing it. Get rid of those labels and live a life full of love.

-Melanie