A Better Perspective

Recently I've been bombarded with reminders of what's most important in life, from family trips to the Thanksgiving holiday to the passing of dear family friend after courageously battling cancer.


A Facebook friend posted one day the link Top Five Regrets of the Dying- Exposing the Truth which reconfirmed what it's ultimately all about in life. I also recently read the book, Courageous, based off of the movie that really hit close to home as it followed the stories of some cop families in the south, with the focus on the need for strong families in a deteriorating society.

For me, this better perspective is focusing on what truly makes me happy.

First, my family:


We recently went to visit family (some for the first time, but that's another post) in Arizona and New Mexico, allowing all of us a chance to share family memories and just spend TIME with each other.

Sometimes it doesn't matter WHAT we're doing as long as we're spending time with each other. Though McCall's Pumpkin Patch was a COOL place to be! Again, that's another post.

Remembering to still be silly and have fun with each other is essential!

Ultimately, my greatest treasures are right here, in the form of a 5 year old future military dude, a 3 year old firecracker of a princess, and a 17 month old observer who thinks he's older than he really is.

It may have taken a family trip to bring this perspective back into view, but it started a seed in my soul to desire happiness. To NEED happiness.

My second focus that I've felt that I've lost has been blogging. All corniness aside, it's allowed me to document events in my life, no matter how mundane or trivial, but also keeps my grounded on retaining a bit of my pre-mommy life.

It's taken me awhile to realize that it's actually very healthy to continue pursuing things for myself now that I'm a mother, where before I felt guilt for not solely focusing on my treasures. I've gained a new perspective that yeah, it may take a little more juggling, but I love to blog, and it's something I can't sever from my life because it makes me feel a bit hollow. I love to follow other blogs, look at life's happenings with the question, "How would I blog about this?" and now, no longer feel guilty.

We may not have the big, flat screen tv's that have been on sale during Black Friday. And Cyber Monday. And Pre-/Post Black Friday or the bluray player to watch our bluray/dvd combo movies. We may not have the square footage that would be comfortable with a young, growing family, but my kids don't mind. Why should I? We may not even be able to afford extracurricular activity lessons such as monthly gymnastics or music lessons, but my kids are content to use their imagination playing in dirt or the public jungle gym, and love to make up their own tunes using household objects. Our Christmas tree may not have a gazillion presents around it, but my children know the magic of the Christmas Spirit by making others happy.

So what is a better perspective?

It's the reminder that life is always going to have stress, but it's how I handle it that leads to my own happiness. No one elses.

When I KNOW that I can decide how my day is going to be, no matter what the trial, that knowledge can make everyday extraordinary.