Sunday, November 16, 2008

Enjoy The Journey

Today at church I had an amazing experience I would like to share with you. And, no I am not going to go off on some wild tangent trying to lure you into my way of thinking. So relax, sit back and let me tell you about what I learned. Things I have learned before but things that actually hit me hard today. Things that made me wake up and think that I was being spoken to.

We had such a cute speaker today. A young mother of four little children. She started off by telling a story of one of her most trying days. A day that begins quite normally. Two children off to school, Dad off to work and Mom trying to at least get a shower. Her two year old starts off by pouring syrup all over her new couch and Family Room carpet. She deals with this incident and the two year old lives. Next child # 3 goes off to Pre-School and leaves Mom with the two year old. She is still trying to finish getting herself ready for the day when she hears nothing. Every mother in the world has surely heard the dreaded nothing. Two year old makes an appearance and states that there is Big Trouble, Big Trouble, his hands covered with white out. She discovers that her hardwood floors also have white out on them. So she scrubs until she has no fingernails. And the two year lives. Everyone returns from school and work. There is a quick kiss for Dad along with a short hug, dinner, homework, laundry, baths and more cleaning. She goes to bed knowing that tomorrow it all starts again.

We have all had days like this. Days when we barely make it through. I have been very unappreciative lately of all the good things in life and had made a pledge to myself to be grateful for those good things.

We need to Enjoy Our Journey.

This cute young mom gave us 4 things to do so we don't miss out on all the good things going on along with all our trials.

1 - Slow down and open your eyes! When was the last time you played in the rain? The last time you laughed out loud? You read something just for fun? The last time you laid on the grass on your back and watched the clouds? If we can find those things we used to, and still can love, we can renew our spirits. We can have a greater purpose in life.

2 - Find ways to serve others. Cute Mom has job charts for her four children and has added a line for service. She is amazed at what her children can find to do to help others. Things she had never thought of. Shouldn't we try to teach our children how to slow down and help those less fortunate, ill or struggling? Shouldn't we be doing that too?

3 - Pray, Meditate and Study Uplifting Writings. When we take time to understand that sometimes there are greater forces at work in our lives we get the chance to learn and grow. No matter what our beliefs are we can always get strength when we take a few quiet moments to reflect and be appreciative of what we have. A few quiet moments alone with our God or whoever or whatever brings us peace will give us the strength we need to carry on in this crazy world.

4 - Gratitude. As adults we are over sometimes overburden with the have to's in life. We have to get up in the morning, we have to go to work, we have to go grocery shopping, do the laundry, clean the bathrooms, walk the dog and on and on. This is where I have been stuck. I do not want to get up and go to work. I do not want the drudgery of what I see as a hopeless situation. But, (and I cannot tell you how many people have told me this!!) I should be very grateful that I have a job, that I can pay my bills, that I am healthy, that I have clothes to wash and a car to drive. We live in a world where we get the opportunity to be challenged everyday. I am going to start looking for that challenge.


So take a few minutes and take a look around and see how blessed we all are. See, if like me, you have been missing out on some really good stuff. Everyday stuff going on all around you. And hug someone you love every chance you get because someday that someone may not be here to hug.

22 comments:

angie said...

Speaking of uplifting - great post!

Just stopping by to say hi! (Under you at roll call)

DG Darling said...

Hiya Grandma!

Come visit me. I just started a scrapblog at dgscrapblog.blogspot.com
Come look at my cute kids in their Halloween costumes. We love you!

Heather said...

Wonderful post! A great reminder to us all. I bet that was a great talk and thanks for sharing.

Kristin said...

Enjoying the journey is something I have been trying to focus on for awhile now - somedays with more success than others. Thanks for the post.

nikkicrumpet said...

great post...we all need to slow down and enjoy the journey. Love the huggy cats. Thanks for the Sunday smiles!

Marsha said...

OH PLEASE! Just kidding. You're so full of such good widsom and I mean that seriously. I started by huggine myself. LOVE YOU MAN!

Pancake said...

Great uplifting post! I love how the mom, saw what is most important instead of what felt the most pressing

Core Wife said...

Love the post! What a great talk! Thanks for sharing that with us! You're the BEST! Hugs from me to you!

Brooke said...

Oh that was a great post! I cannot imagine what it took to remain calm through all of that! Thanks for sharing. I am a fellow Utahn as well. :) I think it said you were from Utah in your profile, right?!

Stopping by from SITS....

Heather said...

My twins always ask me to lay with them at naptime and it's such a huge chunk out of my day to snuggle until they're asleep, but I make myself do it and then I'm always so glad I did. It's a good time to slow down and just enjoy my babies.

Marrdy said...

To My Darling Granddaughter, the Domestic Goddess....I would love to visit your new blog and take a gander at my GREAT Grandchildren (pretty fun!!) but your blog is private...if you need my email address it is drammac@yahoo.com.

Unknown said...

Such a great post Marrdy! It is all true, we just have to slow down and take it all in - even in the worst of moments. She probably had you all laughing by the end of her day.

Aunt Julie said...

I'm all about slowing down and enjoying the ride. As it is, life goes by way too fast, doesn't it? Looks like the kitties agree with you, too! BTW, I'm celebrating 150 Posts with an Award and a Pop'rs Giveaway...please come visit soon!

Tracy P. said...

Great post, Marrdy. Here, here!

nikkicrumpet said...

Was that an AWESOME game or what!!! It was so fun having Jeff back...even if he wasn't on the court. It was great to see them play like they mean it too! I'm so glad I have my NBA package so I never have to miss a game. GOOOOOO JAZZ!

Anonymous said...

Great lesson! I have had days like that (although replace kids with dogs!) A great reminder!

sassy stephanie said...

Ooooooh did I need that right now. THank you!

Nina said...

That was great! I am always trying to remind myself that I need to be thankful for all I have because we are so wealthy in this world compared to so many others.

Kim said...

True words, indeed.

DiPaola Momma said...

When I caught your profile pic at roll call on SITS today I had to pop over. As the mommy of 4 humans and 2 kitties I'm a sucker the snugglies.

Is he one of your kitty babies? I have one who thinks he's a dog, actually growels when the doorbell rings and SNORES like my hubby! Our other one just puts up with the humans in her house, I love that.

Have a great thursday! And stop by my blog sometime
chickennuggetsofwisdom.blogspot.com

Rhea said...

That cat photo is adorable.

I love the message. It's so good to focus on the positive, be thankful for what we have and try to get the most out of life.

I can't believe that child poured syrup on the couch. And white out. I'm going to have nightmares.

Brooklyn said...

I love, love, love this post Marrdy! It is so true. I've been trying so much harder to live in the moment with my girls and enjoy things the way they do rather than rushing through life. Thank you for sharing your experience.