Saturday, January 30, 2010

January 30, 2010

This evening I'm sitting in bed contemplating all the things I've been given as well as all the things I've earned in my life. Life, in general, is a long and complicated journey. I've seen more and more people focusing on what they don't have, instead of being grateful for what they do.

I have my daughter. I have my husband. I have two dogs and a cat. I have life experiences through college as well as the military. I have motherhood. I've had a broken heart. I've cried myself to sleep. I've laughed until my sides cramped. I have trusted colleagues. I have a family that is close to one another. There is always food on the table. There is a roof over our head and heat/air conditioning in our home. We have a home. I've made mistakes, but have been lucky enough to have learned from (some) of them. I have my faith. I have my health. I have the opportunity to choose the things I want to study, and study a variety of subjects.

Putting life into perspective is a hard thing to do. Its hard to list the things I have when there is still so much that I want. Saying that though, all of those "wants" I've realized are materialistic. In the long run, how much to those things matter? I can't take any of it with me when God decides its my turn. Money and materialistic things may make things more convenient, but is it worth the cost? When I sit and think about the things I want, it get more and more stresed out because it's money that causes the fact that I don't have those things yet. The things that matter, those intangibles, should be my priority.

Sometime realizing and putting down on "paper" what you do have makes things a little more positive. The memories that I share with my family are priceless. The quality time that I have with my daughter is worth more than any dream vacation I could plan. The patriotic pride I share with my husband is something to be announced, not ashamed of. The love that bonds my husband and I together is something that erases any heartbreak. The comfort I find when I'm fully accepting of my faith, instead of being hesitant with, creates a joyous feeling in and of itself. It's these "wants" that need to be the focus of my joy. It's these "wants" that have given me joy.

"Your most precious, valued possessions and your greatest powers are invisible and intangible. No one can take them. You, and you alone, can give them. You will receive abundance for your giving."
--W. Clement Stone

Good night.

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