Taking the Scenic View: Thoughts on Creating and Keeping a Healthy Perspective on Life

"That's life."

"It’s part of life."

"That is how life goes."

It seems as though

I’ve been saying these types of things a lot lately.

I was talking with my hubby the other day,

because at times I wonder if

I am a little tough on our girls.

I am a very compassionate and sensitive person,

and sometimes when things don't go their way

I want to coddle them,

but I find that I rarely do.

I have realized that

I want our kids to be sensitive and strong,

but mostly grateful!

I want them to understand that

in this life,

things don't always go our way.

Life can be hard,

but the worst thing we can do is

complain

and feel sorry for ourselves.

The amount of happiness

we have in our life,

truly depends on

our

attitude.

I am hoping to raise them to

be the type of people

that can and will

find the good

in every situation.

I want them to choose happiness...

Life isn’t always perfect,

But it can be great,

in spite of

the imperfections.

People aren't always perfect,

but our relationships

can be wonderful

in spite of

the flaws.

We are human.

Living active,

busy lives,

connecting with other people

for one reason or another

on a daily basis, and

those connections

can be beautiful...

if we allow them to be,

and if we

choose to enjoy what's good.

We can’t enjoy each other,

if we criticize everything

the people in our lives do.

We can’t enjoy this life,

if we focus on

unfulfilled expectations.

We are all made differently,

with different opinions,

and interests,

but

what's great is that we can be happy

if we learn to

appreciate the differences

and rather than trying to change them,

we focus on changing

our perspective. 

Not everyone is going to see things

the way that I do.

No one person

is ever going to live up to my expectations,

because those expectations,

are mine.

My expectations,

belong to me.

The only one

that will ever live up to

your standards

is you.

We have to realize that

we are not always going to live up to other

people's expectations,

and they will not always meet ours,

and that is okay!

If people are not

complaining about us,

to us,

it is not

because we are perfect.

More than likely

it is just because

they

have learned to love us

just the way we are.

A lot can be said for people who

have learned to not let

their "unmet expectations"

resonate with them,

ruin their day

or affect their attitude towards others.

Truly loving others is accepting them

for the good things

that they bring to

our lives.

No one is perfect,

and life

is not always

the perfect party.

The other day,

I found myself saying these words...

Sometimes

that piñata

is going to get broken

before we have a chance to hit it.

It is unfortunate, but

what we focus on (after) is up to us.

We can cry about how unfair it is,

you know,

poor me...

Oh, we stood in that line for so long!

Oh we thought we would have a chance to hit it!

Oh that was our one chance at fun for the day!

Or we can choose to be grateful,

you know,

lucky me...

I am so happy I was invited!

I am glad I got to stand in line next to people that I love!

How nice it was to see the look of excitement

on the face

of (the person) that got to break it.

I am choosing to be happy

for them,

and for me!

There is always a bright side...

(so enjoy the candy that you get afterwards,)

be thankful for the

sweetness

that is still left in your day.

Don't be so busy complaining about all of the things

that didn’t happen

exactly the way you had hoped,

that you are neglecting

to appreciate all of the good things

that surround you.

Choose to enjoy and share the joy

of the people that are there with you.

We can choose happiness

and gratitude.

How we see life,

and others around us

is up to us.

We create our own perspective.

How we live it,

and how we treat the people involved,

is all up to us.

Life is messy,

and complicated,

but

we have the option to make the

complicated situations

even more complicated

or

we have the option to

pick our battles and

find the good in each situation.

Life happens.

The

beautiful

part about it

is that

we have the option

to

love it.

Today friends,

let us choose

the scenic view,

the one filled with beauty.

It is certain,

 there will be a few distractions

that do not meet "our standards" along the way,

but if we keep a healthy perspective

we will most certainly see

lots of beauty along the way as well!

There is

always 

something to be happy about.

A Mother's Legacy & a Well-Behaved Mouse

My hubby has been out of town all week.

I got so much done!

I miss him when he is gone.

They say,

"When the cat is away,

the mice will play,"

I must be a very well behaved mouse,

I never use my time to play.

I find that I prefer to use the time alone to work.

To clean.

To organize.

To stay in pajamas.

Okay, sometimes shop…

But mostly,

to get chores and projects done.

Our bedroom, for instance,

was a disaster area all week!

I was able to leave my scrapbook supplies in piles all over the floor.

I knew the hubby wouldn't be around

to get up in the middle of the night

and accidentally step on something

that might

cause him to mumble words he never really says

hurt him.

When my husband is gone,

I also look at it as an opportunity to spend some

quality time with my little girl.

She and I had a nice week together.

Except for last night, when she took over the entire bed.

Like last night,

as I sorted supplies, she laid next to me

on the floor working on her Valentine's Day cards

and school mailbox.

 It's those moments when we are alone

that she feels comfortable enough

to break the silence

and confide in me about things

like her "crush"

and which Valentine card he would be getting!

Those are the moments that make me smile and

wonder why this child is so boy crazy,

and appreciate that we have that kind of relationship.

I am glad that she talks to me about things,

and I pray that she always does.

I pray that I have the wisdom to say the right things,

at the right times,

and

I pray that when she is older,

she will remember moments like this.

That she will grow up to be

"a well-behaved mouse too."

Inspired.

All kidding aside! ;)

I aspire for her, to aspire to be, a Proverbs 31 girl.

That works with her hands.

That can find a hundred things to do

at work,

and at home,

wherever her future may take her.

The kind of woman that stays motivated and busy

doing productive things,

using the gifts, that God has given her.

The kind of woman a husband can trust.

That a child can look up to.

That a friend can call on.

That she,

herself

can be proud of.

As her mother,

I can't even imagine her ever doing

anything

that would not

make me proud.

I just love my “little mouse” so much!

I don’t expect perfection,

Just effort,

And as her mother,

it is my job

to help shape her into the kind of person

who cares enough to try.

This morning,

as I folded the laundry,

and finished getting the house in order for

my hubby’s arrival,

I heard the words,

“At the end of the day

you should be content with where you have been

and proud of who you are.”

And I jotted it down,

The words reminded me of my mom.

I thought of her life.

I thought of mine.

Then I thought of my daughter’s.

I watched my mom,

all those years ago.

Working in the home,

while my dad was at work, and out of town.

I didn’t know that she was shaping me at the time,

but she was,

and she knew it.

A mother’s legacy…

it has to be one of the most precious gifts ever given.