I have a very blessed life.
I have two healthy children, an employed spouse, a completely “normal” extended family, a roof over our heads, food to eat for every meal, everyday.
I feel my limbs trapped in the web of the if onlys. The good is too easy to overlook, but why? How do I allow the fights, frustrations, the feeling of being overwhelmed, and the choice to simmer in my own head and negative talk become my focus? I can’t get past my own stubborness or anger to see all of the good that is constantly surrounding me.
I have a very blessed life.
My camera and my photographs help remind me to truly see all that is good.
That third pic brings tears to my eyes. So beautiful.
.-= Shelly´s last blog ..Catching Up =-.
I hear ya, lady.
Here’s to taking breaks to remind ourselves of the good.
Still need to make stickers that say “appreciate” to place around my home at eye level, myself.
WORD.
I have a habit of walking away from my whiny tantrummy 4 year old (Seriously, shouldn’t tantrums be OVER BY NOW??) and gazing at my very favorite picture of her, getting lost in the memory of a beautiful perfect moment captures forever, until she’s finished with the tantrum and ready for a hug. After gazing at that picture, I’m so ready for a hug too.
.-= Jenna´s last blog ..Some days/Other days =-.
I know how that feels. Sometimes I look at photographs of our family and see such a charmed life.
But then how come all I can remember is anger and frustration? Which story is true?
I know I am grateful, I just wish I *felt* grateful more often.
.-= Misty´s last blog ..Ready. Set. Go. =-.
This was absolutely what I needed today. I’m battling the same thoughts. Thanks for reminding me of the important things…
.-= lindsey´s last blog ..Menu Plan Monday – June 7 =-.
lovely pictures. that’s why i try to stay positive on my blog. so i can look back and say, YES!, i have a great life. and to remember why i put up with the bickering, crankiness and sleep deprivation.
great post, we all need to be reminded to count our blessings.
.-= MommyNamedApril´s last blog ..My Three Monkeys at the Zoo. =-.
Thanks for the reminder.
.-= Kara´s last blog ..Naturally gluten free?? =-.
Beautiful. This is really a tangent thought….
But, I’m reading Women, Food, and God and it’s actually helping me to slow down and think (obviously about food, etc.) But more so on trusting myself, believing in myself, blah, blah, blah…
In other words, how do we re-engage our minds and re-start our perspectives to allow ourselves joy and happiness–in everything in life–.
In a nutshell.
you said it. now don’t go over and read anything I’ve written lately, I’ve been very beetchy.
DITTO!!!
I just spent another evening in the ER (twice in one week) – no I don’t abuse my kids nor do I neglect them.
I came home livid because my daughter’s exaggeration of her symptoms led to another three-hour ordeal. After taking my anger out on the stove, I realized how damn lucky I am nothing was wrong. And if things had gone the other way, how much I would have wished she was faking all her symptoms (just like she did tonight).
So thank you for reminding me of how blessed I am even on the worst of days.
.-= Mamaganda´s last blog ..Freak of Nature =-.
I have a journal here, with lovely cover and nice clean pages, and a nice pen to use…..for when I decide to begin my Gratitude Journal. I am grateful for so much, and I know we are blessed, I just don’t want to *mess* up the pages……
Think I’ll go start now……..Thanks
Awesome post, Jennifer!!! What a reminder we ALL need some days!! We have to remember the blessings before the crap-storm overwhelms us!!
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..I Should Have Lived in a Bubble =-.
Thank you for sharing your good with me today.
It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who feels this way.
.-= Carrie´s last blog ..There Goes My Baby =-.
that was lovely. i so appreciate your gratitude for your life.
.-= dusty earth mother´s last blog ..Don’t Dethrone Me, Yo =-.
you are so right. it is easy to get caught up in the crappy stuff, but you are blessed and you have a lovely family. keep your head up.
.-= amber´s last blog ..Thyroid results and my plans =-.
I know exactly how you feel. I’ve actually gone to therapy and had a therpaist look at me and say, “What do you have to complain about?”
Gorgeous pics.
.-= Gail´s last blog ..Writer’s Workshop-Before I Was a Mom =-.
This is a great post. We all need this reminder!
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..Endings =-.
Thanks for this post. I too have a hard time seeing the good. I take a LOT for granted! Thanks for the reminder. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one that does this!
.-= Natalia´s last blog ..Heat. Sand. Thigh Rub. Need I say more? =-.
My mantra is, “I choose happiness.” Simple, silly maybe – but it works for me! Whenever I’m feeling ready to lose it … “I choose happiness.”
I think a lot of us feel that way. I know I do and my hubby is king of the if onlys. I use the cheesy sayings and put them around my house, on the fridge, where ever. I really want one in the shower, maybe I could use waterproof eyeliner LOL! I start with Life is Beautiful, ENJOY it! and go from there. But you know some days I just like to wallow, and then a friend calls and tell you what they are going through and it helps to break the cycle. I do wish I was one of those joyful, heart flowing with love and kindness kind of people but nope not me. I have to work at just being pleasant most days.
I find myself fighting the same battles. And it’s easy to let the negative overwhelm when (1) you’re always sleep-deprived and (2) you’re dealing with the Terrible Two’s. But you’re right! Life isn’t that bad! Hell, it’s not bad at all. Sometimes you just have to force yourself to stop and see the good. And aren’t photos such a wonderful way of doing that?
Beautiful pictures!
http://theartsymom.tk
.-= Krissy @ Artsy Mom´s last blog ..Who doesn’t love a good carnival?? =-.
[...] Gratitude. http://playgroupsarenoplaceforchildren.com/2010/06/09/gratitude/ [...]
aaah yes. thank you for yanking me back to my own reality.
great pics as well.
i, too, have an awesome life.
.-= mpotter´s last blog ..idiot! =-.
Tearing up here.
And yes, – AWESOME pics.
sweet blog you have…don’t know quite how i landed here.
xo
Because you live it, sister. It is okay to get caught up in our ‘if onlys’ as long as we don’t allow them to become us. I think those moments help us to appreciate the moments of gratitude much more deeply.
kisses
.-= Amo´s last blog ..You Probably WOULD Understand…I hope. =-.
Yes! Only instead of calling it ‘if only’ I play the ‘Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda’ and ‘What if’ over and over and over in my head until I think my brain is going to ooze out my ears. Oye!
So, Thank you for the gentle reminder to remember the good and the beautiful!
.-= HaB ´s last blog ..Wordful Wednesday: What is My Madaline Made Of? =-.
“normal?” You are very blessed and I feel very blessed that you are in my life also!!!
Not sure how I found your blog, but love it. Beautiful pictures and family. Thanks for the reminder that we need to be very grateful for our precious families even in the hard times and I’ve had my share.
For about 6 months I sat on the pitty pot and whined poor me until my best friend helped me get off and focus on what was good in my life instead of dwelling on the bad or hard things that were going on and what ifs and just live day to day and try to find the positive in every situation.
.-= Kim´s last blog ..The Amazing Bubble Truck at The Morgan County Public Library =-.
Great photos. Everyday annoyances can be so overwhelming, but maybe that makes our gratitude stronger when we finally see the truth??
I had that same epiphany today, and have it often. Through breaks of frustration and anxiety come the times when you look around and realize how good you have it, or how lucky you truley are. I love these moments. It makes everything in between worth while. Life is Good!
[...] that we’re back home, I’m working on getting back to that mellow, grateful place where I don’t feel like locking them in a closet for a few hours. As they kept acting [...]
What a great reminder to be thankful for what we have! Great photos too!!
the top and the bottom two photos are gorgeous.
We all get this way. I think it really does help to purposefully look for those things to be grateful for, whether through photos or writing or whatever. It doesn’t always come naturally, and so working at it is a good thing, in my book.
I know I came to this post late. I hope you’re in a good, smooth-sailing phase for the holiday weekend.
.-= Elizabeth @claritychaos´s last blog ..four =-.