Expectations

I had no intentions of blogging today.  I've been on a roll cleaning out my house and it's been pretty productive.  Ian helped me by putting up some shelves in the laundry room so I could switch some things around.  He even helped out with cleaning out the kitchen cabinets and I'm happy to report that I have a few empty spots now.  Yesterday, I tackled the boys room and just have their dresser to go through.  This morning I was all pumped about finishing with the bathrooms and our bedroom, but I feel it's very important for me to share what's helped me this week.

You see, I've been struggling.  A lot.  More than I've let on.

I don't feel like I need to go into details at this time, but it's along those lines of the "I'm not good enough" thoughts that we women choose to suffer with.  And I do not use the word 'choose' lightly.  I choose to feel awful most days.  I choose to think poorly about myself.

The reason I am jumping on to post today is that I was inspired by reading two blogs this week written by two different cousins on opposite sides of the family.  It made me feel like I was not alone so I'm trying to "pay it forward" in hopes that at least one of you know you are not alone, either.

This is from a book with a similar title.  I thought it had very insightful advice of how to be a good person.

A while ago I saw a quote on Pinterest that went something like this...

"The quickest way to experience dissapointment 

is to have expectations."

At first when I read it, I completely agreed.  I thought, "What a negative way to think!"  The more I thought about it, though, I found it to be somewhat true.  I would change it to this...

"The quickest way to experience dissapointment 

is to have too many expectations."

I put way too many expectations on myself and my life.  When I wake up I expect so many things to happen to make my day perfect.  And for a lack of a better way to put it, that's stupid!  I miss out on SO many moments of happiness because I'm too strung up on my expectations.  Today is a new day and I'm going to choose to be in the moment.   

 

And speaking of missing out on happiness, this is a fantastic video posted by my other cousin.