An Attempt at Perspective

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. - Philippians 4:8

Sometimes when life gets difficult, I tend to wallow. I begin to myopically focus on all of the things that are out of order, difficult, or unfair. It takes a decision and willpower to come out of negative thinking. This blog is about my attempt to refocus and to "think on things of good report".


It's all about perspective...

I feel irritation at the level of noise in my home and the busyness within these walls - until I remember that there are people this holiday season who don't want to be alone.

I am tired of endless time spent in the car taking a child with physical challenges back and forth to doctor's visits and therapy - until I think about the Mom that has to make daily trips to visit a child admitted to the hospital for a prolonged stay.

I express dissatisfaction about the dent on my car, wishing that I could get it fixed - until I pass the car abandoned on the shoulder of the highway.

I wallow in self-pity for having to change wet sheets in the middle of the night - until I think about the woman I recently met who has had to catheterize her child for the last five years.

I am mad about having to constantly pick up dirty socks - until I realize that dirty socks exist because there are people in my life that I love...and that love me.

I am frustrated that I can't do all the decorating I want to do in my home - until I take a walk and happen to notice the foreclosed houses in my neighborhood.

I wish that all the people calling my name, over and over, day in and day out, would STOP - until I become friends with a woman who is struggling to get pregnant and wishes for the day when a sweet little face will look up to her and call her "Mom".

I feel anger rise up as the phone starts to ring and, once again, the cordless is not on the hook - until I realize that I have a phone and voicemail. Whoever is calling can leave a message.

I am weary from the extra effort of pushing my little one in a stroller EVERYWHERE I go - until I realize that I could be pushing my little one in a wheel chair.

I am overwhelmed by the constant influx of bills in the mailbox - until I remember that God has promised to supply all of my needs,and does, in fact, have a great record of usually exceeding my need for daily bread.

I am disgruntled about an uncomfortable overnight stay in the hospital with my child - until I meet the man whose daughter has had several surgeries. He has had uncomfortable overnight stays for the past 3 months.

I am discouraged at the amount of work required of me and the lack of appreciation received - until I remember that my own Mother never let appreciation from me or the lack thereof determine the amount of her effort.

I feel slightly annoyed that I'm up again throughout the night with a child battling a fever - until I realize that I'm not up through the night watching my child struggle for each and every breath in the ICU.

I am fatigued with the stories my children like to tell me over and over again - until I realize the my children won't be little very long and there will be a day when the tables will turn and I will beg them to stay and talk to me.

There are many opportunities each day to find something wrong. I choose today to look for a few things that are RIGHT!

I love this quote...

Life is difficult - This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult--once we truly understand and accept it--then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters. - M. Scott Peck from The Road Less Traveled