In recent years I have spent ALOT of time working on myself and my personal growth. It has been an emotional journey, during which I have had to face some harsh realities but I have also discovered beauty in myself that I never knew exsited.
Ask yourself, "Am I someone that I would enjoy spending time with?" Your answer should be "Absolutely!" Unfortunately for many people their answer to that is a depressing eye opener. I decided that I wanted to become somebody that I enjoyed being around, somebody that if I were to meet myself my initial thought would be "I totally want to hang out with that person." After all, from the day that you are born the one thing that you can always count on is that you will always have you. Other people will come and go but you always have yourself, doesn't it make sense that you should like that person? To be clear, arrogance is not what I am talking about. This is not about "Look at me! I'm so amazing, you should want to be just like me!"
I have philosophy that we should all embrace and celebrate our uniqueness because I feel that in doing so we would all be happier and more well rounded and in turn many of the worlds problems would simply not exist. A smug frame of mind would go against that whole concept.
I have come a long way and still have far to go before I am "the best version of myself" but I am very proud of how far I have come.
"Nobody is superior, nobody is inferior, but nobody is equal either. People are simply unique, incomparable. You are you. I am I." - Osho
After working in banking for about ten years my position was cut as it was deemed to no longer be necessary. I could have looked for alternate employment and of course I still can but for now we have decided to adjust our spending and have me stay home with our two daughters (Miss A is 3 and Miss G is 10 months old). In truth, the cost of daycare for two children in my area was a definite factor in our decision. My husband and I asked ourselves, "Why work ourselves exhausted and have all of our free time just catching up on household chores when there is little to show for it after paying for child care?" Someone once said to me, "Well you have to make sacrifices." That is very true but the question for me was "what am I willing to sacrifice?" I in no way judge working Mothers. In fact, many Moms that I know have told me that the fullfiling sense of accomplishment they get from working or just even getting out of the house everyday makes them a better Mom. I congratulate them for knowing this. On the same note, I don't believe that women who truly want to be home should be made to feel like they are not living a full life. Every family and every individual has to find what works best for them and their situation and own it.
We are all living our own story, I feel that we should all do what works for us and let the rest fall where it will.
For me, I came across a scene in "Marley and Me", of all places, that hit me like that old proverbial ton of bricks. Jennifer Anniston's character finds out that she is pregnant with her second child and is evaluating her circumstances with her husband.
"When I'm at the office I just want to be here. When I'm here I'm constantly thinking about work and I just know that I'm doing both jobs halfway."
Bam! And just like that , I knew.
You know when you come across something that resonates with you in a way that you can hardly believe that you didn't think of it yourself because it seems so straight forward? This was me watching this scene.
That is why it is so important to discover sources that you can go to in order to find clarity and possibly word things in a way that inspires you, even if it comes from unexpected places. Actually, finding inspiration in unexpected places has got to be one of my favorite things, there's a satisfaction in experiencing an "ah ha!" moment when you aren't looking for it. So whether it be film, blogs, books, friends, family, co-workers, art, music, articles, insight and lessons can be found in various sources if we keep an open mind
So this blog is me owning it. My attempt to find joy in everyday, grow continually, live peacefully, and share some of the lessons that I learn along the way.
What about you? What things do you do to help you be the best Mom that you can be or simply your sanity?
Do you have a story about coming across wisdom in an unlikely place? I'd love to hear it!