Just as it is

I have compared myself to other women- their fashion, body, parenting skills, decorating and DIY skills, income, marriage, house, car, etc.  This is difficult not to do at times.  I have to remind myself that...

 

With shows like Fixer Upper where Joanna has the best taste ever and cute but expensive home furnishings and Nordstrom is all the rave on everyone's blogs.... it is difficult not to make comparisons.  Having a great wardrobe and a killer mantel isn't bad, but when you find yourself envious of others, you are entering dangerous territory.

 

I have found myself in periods of grief due to being the parent of a child with special needs or because of blended family difficulties.  I would look at pictures on facebook or instagram and become the 'must be nice' guy from the Kidd Kraddick bit on their radio show.  I compared my marriage or parenting skills to others based solely on pictures.  I have learned that everyone does not have life all figured out.  What is seen on facebook and instagram is edited or given a 'glaze' or 'effect.'  On the other end of that phone or computer are imperfect people living imperfect lives just like me.  It is important to remember that everyone has their own struggles and hardships.

 

As a woman I want to encourage other women and live life beside them rather than compare my life to them.  When you are busy comparing your life to others you cease to enjoy your own.  

When I was a senior in college, the pastor of my church died.  Even just typing those words brings tears to my eyes.  It was the hardest thing I'd ever gone through.  At the time I'd only known death as something far away and a visitor to the old or chronically ill.  This was very sudden and unexpected.  As my friends and I mourned our loss, we found comfort (and still do) in his last words.  I hope you do as well and remember to live in the present and enjoy your own life just as it is.

Live. And Live Well.
BREATHE. Breath in and Breathe deeply. Be PRESENT. Do not be past. Do not be future. Be now.
On a crystal-clear, breezy, 70-degree day, roll down the windows and FEEL the wind against your skin. Feel the warmth of the sun.
If you run, then allow those first few breaths on a cool autumn day to FREEZE your lungs and do not just be alarmed, be ALIVE.
Get knee-deep in a novel and LOSE track of time.
If you bike, pedal HARD … and if you crash, then crash well.
Feel the SATISFACTION of a job well-done- a paper well-written, a project thoroughly completed, a play well-performed.
If you must wipe the snot from your three-year-old’s nose, don’t be disgusted if the Kleenex doesn’t catch it all … because soon he’ll be wiping his own.
If you’ve recently experienced loss, then GRIEVE. And Grieve well.
A the table with friends and family, LAUGH. If you’re eating and laughing at the same time, then might as well laugh until you puke. And if you eat, then SMELL. The aromas are not impediments to your day. Steak on the grill, coffee beans freshly ground, cookies in the oven. And TASTE. Taste every ounce of flavor. Taste every ounce of friendship. Taste every ounce of Life. Because it is mostly definitely a gift.