I was chatting with my sister-in-law the other day about how awful it was to have sick kids. How worried we were about them, how easy it was to run yourself ragged taking care of them and making sure their needs were met. Just as she was starting to feel bad for herself and their situation she went on Instagram and got an update from a mom who’s little boy has cancer. Instantly her situation was put into perspective. Yes it is sad when our kids get sick, yes it can feel tiring and make us worn out, but in this situation it was important to remember that it could always be worse. Perspective.
My two year old daughter is so so hard. We butt heads on a daily basis. She has a big personality in her little body and she is not afraid to express her feelings at any given moment. Often times it leads to her screaming, and me being frustrated that I can’t get my point through to her while she’s screaming at me. Then I watch her bounce down the hall, or see her eyes light up as she watches Olaf and Anna on the big screen and I remember she is only two. She is trying to navigate this big crazy world just like I am. She’s learning and growing, and I need to give her grace, like I have to give myself on a daily basis. Perspective.
My husband and I are not rich by any means. We make enough to get by, and I recently was blessed to be able to step down from my full time position, to a part time position, so that I could spend more time with my kids. Often times I find myself sad that I don’t have the money or the ability to go on fancy trips that I see others taking. That I don’t have the means to buy everything I see that I want. Then I remember that I have a family that loves me unconditionally. I have a roof over my head, we have food to eat, and I even have a car to drive. I am truly blessed, and don’t need to “keep up with the Jones’.” Perspective.
The last few years I have been itching to leave Arizona for a new adventure. I have lived here my whole life and for the most part I don’t enjoy it. The summers are brutal, and the biggest reason why I don’t love it here. Thankfully the fall and winter make up for it, but it still had me dreaming for somewhere else. It wasn’t until a couple months ago that it hit me. All, and I mean all, of my immediate family live within 20 min of me. I have people willing to babysit and offer me help at almost any time. I have only hired a babysitter a couple times, and my oldest daughter is 8. I live in an area of Gilbert that really is great, and so pretty. It was in that instance that I learned some perspective.
I am not saying that you can’t feel sorry for yourself, or wish your circumstances are different. I know everybody has different situations and has different experiences, but when I am feeling down, frustrated or angry, I try to remember the blessings I do have, or look at my situation from a different perspective, and it almost always helps.
