27 Oct What does Fulfillment Mean to You?
Happy Friday ladies,
It is hard to believe it is almost November, as it seems like the months go quickly by as we head to the Holidays. I have been thinking about this subject for awhile, thinking about what makes me fulfilled at this stage in life. The true meaning is “being satisfied or happy because of fully developing one’s abilities or character.”
With Thanksgiving on its way, we often think about things in which we are grateful. Along those same lines, I have been thinking about what is fulfillment at this stage in life? I have always felt that my job should be fulfilling. I would have to want to wake up and enjoy going to work or be passionate about what i was doing.
Because of my illness, I have been unable to work my teaching job, as the idea of standing or sitting for long periods, is a physical impossibility. When EDS was at its worst, I had to stop teaching guitar as the muscle pain was just too severe, and the unpredictability and uncertainty of a good day would not work with a set teaching schedule.
Enter blogging. I began this as a diversion, and a way to take my love of fashion to another creative level. I can work around my schedule and how i am feeling. Having a creative outlet is a must for me, as that is part of my personality and adds to my fulfillment in life. As much as I love clothes and fashion, being a fashion blogger, it is the internal things that bring me to a more fulfilled life.
What I know adds fulfillment in my life is being able to take care of my puppies. Although my hubby and I do not have kids, I enjoy pampering the pooches and taking care of them. Again, thinking of something other than myself.
I was thinking what other ways could I find meaning in my life. I am a huge animal-dog lover and see what joy they bring to me. When I was a teenager, my mom took us to Kane Hospital to take the patients to the chapel, as a part of service, I enjoyed talking to the people as they welcomed us each week.
I am looking to have the pups certified to take them into hospitals to bring other people joy and happiness in their day. I do think finding fulfillment and happiness is about looking outside our own lives for what we can do to help others.
What I feel is important is doing something that you deem important. What enriches you at midlife? When there are obstacles in life, do you let them go or hang on to the problem? I also believe fulfillment comes from letting the little things that bother us go, as i try not to get hung up on the negative.
With the lack of a teaching job, I had to find other things in life that provided fulfillment. I am looking forward to traveling and seeing more of the world, but also appreciating what I have and continuing to learn more. Self-care, be it body and mind, makes for more fulfillment.
How do you find fulfillment in life? at midlife?
AS ALWAYS THERE IS PLENTY OF TIME TO CHECK OUT THE FALL FASHIONS ON THE TURNING HEADS TUESDAY LINKUP. CLICK ON THE THUMBNAILS TO GO TO THE VARIOUS BLOGS YOU WISH TO SEE.
Have a great weekend
Jess xo
Claire justine
Posted at 16:40h, 31 OctoberYour puppies are adorable Jess, what a lovely idea to bring smiles and joy on other faces 🙂 Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays 🙂 Hope you can join us tomorrow.
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 16:53h, 31 OctoberThank you Claire~ They bring such happiness to me, I have wanted to do this for awhile. xx
glassofglam
Posted at 09:13h, 31 OctoberI think having the pups certified is a wonderful idea! If I could take my cats to help people without them having a meltdown I would. Thank you for such a reflective post today.
–Roxanne
http://glassofglam.com
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 11:04h, 31 OctoberHi Roxanne! Thank you! i hope that we can do it as it has been on my mind lately. I see how people smile when seeing them. Glad you enjoyed the post! xx
elle the Elle Diaries
Posted at 20:11h, 30 OctoberWhat a lovely and well,written topic Jess. This stage of life can be an adjustment, but very fulfilling too. I also find joy and contentment when I am doing things for other people. What a great idea to have your dogs certified. I love dogs, mine is getting quite old…
Have a wonderful week!
❤️🌸❤️ Elle
https://theellediaries.com/blog/
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 20:42h, 30 OctoberThanks very much Elle! yes, it is an adjustment. it was an adjustment for me to get used to doing less physical sports that I used to enjoy due to EdS. I am used to modifying things, and with working on the blog, I have just been thinking of other ways I can add to my life. im looking into what they have to do to be certified. aw, I would love to meet your pup… Enjoy your week too! xx
kim
Posted at 18:22h, 30 Octoberthose pups would brighten anyones day. What do they have to do to become certified?
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 20:39h, 30 OctoberHi Kim! thanks for stopping by! I am not sure, i need to get all of the info together. I am pretty sure some of the nursing homes may not require certrifications but some hospitals do. Ill find out. ;-0
Leah
Posted at 16:19h, 29 OctoberLove your outfit! Emerald looks amazing on you!!!
xx Leah
http://www.fashtrav.com
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 11:48h, 30 OctoberThank you! x
Miri
Posted at 14:05h, 29 OctoberOhh, I think it is an amazing idea that you will take your adorable pups to a hospital to make patients feel better. It is so generous and selfless of you. I admire that, Jess.
Hugs and have a lovely rest of the weekend,
Miri
https://currentlywearing.com
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 11:48h, 30 OctoberHi Miri, thanks so much. I just see what they do when we are out and about, the smiles on people’s faces. Hope you enjoyed the weekend as well!x
Jacqui
Posted at 12:22h, 28 OctoberHi Jess, I found your blog recently, and I think you look great in your outfits, including the lovely teal jacket. I think it’s a really nice idea to take your little dogs to visit hospital patients; I’m sure knowing that they are bringing happiness will be fulfilling because you’re making an effort to help others feel better. I think being outward looking and interested in other people in life can be grounding and humbling, because it can put our own life and problems into perspective
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 11:47h, 30 OctoberHello Jacqui! so glad you found my blog! Thank you, i do enjoy fashion and sharing my love for color . So true about putting our lives in perspective and also appreciating what we ourselves, have. x
Rebecca
Posted at 11:22h, 28 OctoberI think having your adorable pups bring joy to hospital or nursing home patients is such a wonderful idea. This program, involving both cats and dogs is so successful and I hope it works out. I find my fulfillment in good friends, family and my cat Toby. With all the world chaos and traumatic events that seem to be multiplying, I also crave beauty, harmony, music and art in my life. Living in NYC, I am lucky to have easy access to museums, theatre and great parks.
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 11:45h, 30 OctoberHello Rebecca. Thank you! Yes, i have been thinking about this recently and really need to do it. I love the things that give you fulfillment as well. As a former musician, creativity and expression is important to me as well. sounds wonderful! x
Julie Nix
Posted at 02:08h, 28 OctoberI love that you consider part of your fulfillment as taking care of your pups. My husband and I don’t have human kids either, but our pups are our kids. I have a poodle, a Lhasa apso and a German Shepherd. Your Shitzu’s remind me of my Lhasa. He’s a mess. My husband says I work from home as much as I can just to be with our pups. That might be true. I take them to the office too, but they get a little wild there. Some people may think treating your dogs like kids is silly, but Puppy Mama is one of my most rewarding roles in life. Making sure they are okay and happy is very important to me. Also, that green jacket looks great with your hair color!
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 16:13h, 28 OctoberHi Julie, thank you! Yes, they do mean so much to me. We initially got the pups when I became sick with EDS as i felt i needed them for comfort. They are so fun and provide me with joy, so it is a win and it sounds like you have a similar situation where you are more than happy to take care of your little pups too. so agree! Thanks for commenting, glad you like the outfit too! xx
Debbie Hull
Posted at 09:19h, 27 OctoberHi Jess ! Hope you’re having a great day today ! It’s good to find fulfillment in a person’s life. I am not there in my life yet. I will be 62 in November so I hope that it comes to me soon. I am so glad that I have you to look forward to reading. Have a nice weekend ! Happy Fall ! 🎃🍁🍫🍬🍭🙋
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 09:47h, 27 OctoberHi Debbie! I think each of us in life can find fulfillment. It is about digging deep and really asking, what do I want from Life? What would make me the most happy? i do wish that for you too. I am so glad that you enjoy reading my posts, it means alot. Happy weekend to you too. xx
Jodie
Posted at 08:25h, 27 OctoberThat’s so fabulous to think of visiting others with your pups!! I’ve heard of that and think it’s perfect!!
I also think the friends I have made over my life keep me fulfilled!!
Have a great weekend!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 09:45h, 27 OctoberThank you Jodie, yes it has been something i have been wanting to do. I think Gibby and Truffles would enjoy it as well. So true, great friends who are there for you really make a difference in life. you too Jodie! xx
Heather
Posted at 05:34h, 27 OctoberJess, I think it’s lovely that you are looking into taking your pups to visit hospital patients. They would bring so much joy to them. I have a friend who does this. My Dad ended his days in a nursing home, and we used to take his dog for visits. My Dad’s face would light up as soon as he saw his dog, and the other residents enjoyed it too.
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 09:44h, 27 OctoberThank you Heather! Yes, I need to find out what I need to get them certified if that is what they require. That sounds such a joy for your Dad. Have a great weekend. xx