Sunday Thoughts

First, read this really good quote:

“Give your child a compliment and a hug; say, ‘I love you’ more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of ‘what if’ and ‘if only.’ …
“Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey and share our love with friends and family. One day, each of us will run out of tomorrows. Let us not put off what is most important.” Thomas S. Monson





I finished this one a while ago but didn't have a specific home in mind for it, so it's been sitting around (along with the other 50 or that need a loving home. This is starting to sound like a rescue mission...). Maybe this one's for me. A few years ago, right around the time that Leah was born, I was lamenting to someone about how I feel like my whole life has passed me by and I haven't accomplished anything. I felt in a rush to complete school and start a 'real' life. She said something very wise and comforting: "It's not the destination, it's the journey." She encouraged me to find peace and fulfillment in whatever I was doing at the time and not worry so much about the end result. That has been a hard pill to swallow, especially if I let myself get worked up about shouldas and wouldas and couldas.

I tried to prepare my kids for the airplane experience. I said that there is a lot of standing around, waiting, lines, waiting, and more lines. I told them that this is part of the experience--getting to see the other travelers, eat some bad airport food and wait your turn and the cursed security gate. We can enjoy it because it means we are going somewhere. It means we get to fly through clouds and get served aplastic cup of root beer and ride the tram at the airport. Why not live it up? Eat a stale donut, use the stinky restroom, laugh at someone's bad joke and love every second of it. Most parts of traveling are not glamorous. But the experience can be memorable and enjoyable if we choose.

One of the 9th grade teachers at the jr high where I work has this quote on his wall: The last of the human freedoms is to choose one's attitude in any given circumstance.

Finding joy in the midst of turmoil is difficult, but it is still a choice. I have found this to be true even in the depths of depression. Joy takes on a different meaning during those times, but it is still there.

Today is something to celebrate. My kids will only be 4 and 7 for a few months. I will have wasted so much time and good life if I wish it away, constantly waiting for things to get better or something miraculous to happen. The journey is happening now. There are good things all around. Let's choose to enjoy our time, in whatever capacity we are in right now.

Comments

Unknown said…
Thanks for the thoughts. I miss you amazing lady. I can't wait to see you and your girls soon. :)
August 28, 2011 at 10:11 PM
Larri-Lea said…
You are teaching me so much with this wisdom, Car. I think about this each day with you and the girls being with us. The journey is the most important thing.
August 29, 2011 at 9:50 AM
Jennifer Walker said…
I need this today. You are my hero, sis!
August 30, 2011 at 3:00 PM
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