Having It All Depends on How You Define “All”

Daily writing prompt

What does “having it all” mean to you? Is it attainable?

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What is considered all for me may be different from how my husband defines all. For instance, we are traveling right now, and in Vienna and Budapest, I was content with two attractions a day with a day of rest in between. I didn’t need or want to see it “all.” I wanted to enjoy what I did see, without feeling rushed to go to the next thing or event. My husband saw twice as many places as I did, believing that he will not see these places again and not wanting to miss anything. I went vicariously to them through his photographs.

I define having it all as reaching a moment of satisfaction where you feel that life is good and that the day has been lived satisfactorily. I have come to realize that to have it all often means sacrificing your health or relationships with beloved others. You must decide at some point what is most important in your life, such as time with kids or making more money, and then live with purpose toward doing those things that help you spend time in what matters. I can’t tell anyone else what should be most important to them, because we all have different experiences in life that motivate our desires.

When I was a young girl, the one thing that meant having it all for me was a boyfriend . I didn’t really care what kind of person he was, all that was important was that, like other girls, I had someone to walk the streets with, holding hands, and gaining the admiration and envy of others. But the day came when I had to decide if simply having a partner was worth the pain and suffering of domestic violence. I had to learn the difference between a real man, who loves and does not hurt others, and a pair of pants whose idea of having it all meant control and ownership.

I decided that it was better to be alone rather than suffer indignities and insults. The definition of having it all changed for me. Having it all meant peace and joy in my life, loving myself, and showing love to others. So, it depends on how you define “all” on whether you can attain it. Today, we are in Porto, and I just want to sit and look at the ocean and remember that, despite the craziness of politics right now, I can still appreciate the beauty in the world. I don’t need to take every tour or attend event event, all for me is finding a sense of satisfaction and peace in a way that doesn’t hurt anyone else being themselves. That is how to attain it all, for me.