Religion & Spirituality
Life is not a bed of roses or a box of chocolates! All day, everyday we are faced with hard things. Some are just small little disappointments all the way to very huge difficulties as well as everything in between. All of it can make or break us. The biggest thing to know and understand is that regardless of what goes on around us, our reaction is just that – OUR reaction. I have been raising kids now for 20 years. If I have learned anything during this time, it is to not make a mountain out of a mole hill. If only I could get back the time I spent 'stressed out' about the messy house, or the huge 'to do' list. Looking back, we all survived but I lost out on those opportunities to hug and love and laugh. I have also come to realize that my attitude directs the attitude of those around me…I am contagious! I was watching a home video a while back. Jasmine is about 2 ½. She is sitting at the kitchen table coloring and singing and having a great time. My husband is videotaping her. I happened to come home and walked into the kitchen. I am obviously NOT happy. I have no recollection of what the big deal was but apparently it was a BIG deal. My husband talks all cute to Jasmine and then asks me about my day. I grunt and vent a little frustration. The camera never moves from Jasmine. When she hears my irritated voice, she looks up from her picture and watches me with a concerned look on her face. After a few moments you can watch her face cloud over. She quits singing and starts to color with a bit more emphasis. Within a few more moments she is acting out and visibly upset. The camera then turns off. My stress and frustration transferred directly to her without any direct interaction. A wonderful moment in her little life turned sour and she had no comprehension of the reason why. Stress keeps us motivated, moving and changing. It is not meant to overwhelm or dictate our present emotions or our future life. Don't give away your joy, you can survive this thing, it's going to be OK. You can more than survive, you can overcome, you can rise above and come out smiling. Life is long and this current situation is very short. Keep everything in perspective. Your joy and those you love that are around you are far more important than anything that may be frustrating you. Come on Girlfriend, keep stress in its right place – under your control because…life's Better Here!