Last night, I was frustrated with little things. I was angry at the world, and had one of those days. Jamin said I’d been very grumpy lately, and like any good, honest spouse… gave me a lot of real things to think about. It was a reality check, and I did not receive the truth well. I felt like Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. A lot of my days have been like that, lately.
So I went to bed angry. I wanted to sulk because sometimes sulking is fun.
It’s been a terrible horrible no good very bad day. My mom says some days are like that. via
At 2 in the morning, the tornado sirens were going off, but we hadn’t heard them. My mom was texting, dutifully, from her home a town away and it was her text, weirdly enough, that woke me up. There were tornados nearby, and it was a frantic rush to get into the bathroom after hauling the kids out of their beds in a bit of a panicked, half-sleepy state.
A solemn, sobering reminder… and a chance to forget what I’ve been so bent out of shape about.
This morning, casualties are everywhere. Lives lost. Lives forever altered. Our prayers are with all of those affected.
Personally, I’ve been focused on all the wrong things lately. And as usual, I’m being steered back by a gentle hand and shift in perspective. It’s really made me think.
We live in a world of instant gratification, internet over-saturation, microwave ovens and plastic surgery coupled with photoshop to breed the ultimate, unattainable super human. It’s marketed to all of us from glossy magazine ads to television and everything in between. We’re even surrounded by it in giant billboards while we drive. It feels like there is no escaping it.
I want to buy apples at the grocery store, but chances are, they’re injected with chemicals and raised in a sewage field with saturated glutens and suddenly I’m distressed over dirigibles. And the fact that I have laugh lines. What is wrong with me?
I’m seeing a lot of marriages around me crumble, and I know why. It’s freaking hard work. Everyone’s situation is different. And it’s one of those things you have to see for yourself. We can marry into an idealist kind of world, and if we’re not careful, we drift into it and stay there.
I feel like we’re out there, making a lot of snap judgments on each other based on a two-second impression we garner from social media. And no wonder. Just click on over to Facebook. For the most part it’s become a cesspool for attention and validation. And why? We’re all seeking gratification in places we will never find it. We’re inundated with Missy’s dinner selections in East London and Janet’s neatly organized laundry piles in Northern Australia. And someone is always either a. complaining or b. making passive aggressive statements regarding their anger toward vague people.
We’re surrounded by more interaction than ever, but I can’t help but wonder if everyone is feeling more alone than ever, because of it. In the changes that have come with generation after generation, we find ourselves at the very beginning of the technology revolution, and I think we should question it: Are we completely missing the boat?
Sometimes, I think I am. Nothing is good enough anymore.
Life is not rainbow farts from unicorns in fields of sparkly fairies and pottery barn layouts with perky lady bits. Clearly, the issues go much deeper than that, but a lot of it is in our expectations and what we feel like our lives should be.
I’m not cool if I can’t make my hair do the weird wavy thing with a sock bun and I didn’t prepare a gourmet organic dinner last night, for I am not the queen of Pinterest. I sat down to write a Lazy Gal’s post today on the topic of spring cleaning, and came up with nada because I have to face reality: Last night whilst sulking in the bed, I realized my ceiling fan is covered in dust from the bathroom remodel that has now evolved into The Neverending Story. And let’s be honest… it’s just covering another dust collection from 2013 all the way back to probably 2007. It’s now pretty much likened to the rings on a tree trunk to tell its age. I prepared canned Cinnamon rolls for the kids for probably the sixth morning in a row. So I’m also sure I’m slowly killing them with sugary enablement.
Life isn’t perfect. My expectations aren’t adding up. Cue more anxiety.
To our generation: We’re navigating a modern-day land mine field, just figuring out where we fit in. It’s easy to feel the guilt, feel inadequate, and feel like we’re never enough because there’s a bunch of rando voices coming from everywhere, telling us we’re not. I think because we’re so surrounded by it, it’s easy to give into my natural disposition to be a little more anxiety-led. To feel a little more upset about the little things.
But we’re letting all the little things infiltrate our lives a bit much.
Because they don’t really matter.
Why am I letting this happen?
I’m speaking mainly to myself. I see the signs everywhere in my own life and then throw myself off a cliff of translucence, hoping I’m not the only one who feels this way. We’re like horses with blinders on, chasing after the carrot dangled in front of our faces. When all around us, there are fields of beauty. We can’t see them for that single carrot.
Here are just a few thoughts I wanted to share – Truths in my own life:
JOY – via
Stop focusing on the negative.
I got really tired of this feed the other day where some chick kept showing off her body on social media. Like, stop already. We get it. You’re hot. And then I realized that’s her path. And here I was, ready to feel insecure, based on what she put out there. The internet is filled with way too much outrage over the dumbest things. We live in the first world, and spend too much energy on a permanent condition that’s infiltrated the way we see everything.
People are entitled to their opinions. But sometimes I think we fail to see that the over-the-top visceral reactions we have to some things are based on our own insecurities. I know bikini mom certainly was that for me. I am on my third sinus infection with swimsuit season around the corner, so working out has been hard. My ceiling fan is covered in a decade of dirt, and I would rather down another sleeve of thin mints to cope when my daughter sees me changing and asks why my stomach “does that”. So according to the gym world, I’m skinny-fat. Yay.
But those are my issues. And skinny fat is not one of them, unless I allow it to be. I should be happy for bikini girl because that’s her life and she’s on a different path. Also, for what it’s worth, I am now taking donations in my side bar for my own plastic surgery.
When I was in college, the thing to do was to travel to a different country to go “find yourself” It was like the pre-hipster age of wanderlust. This was our version of it. Traveling is wonderful and I hope to do more. But I won’t couch it in ‘finding’ myself. Because I’m not really missing anything. We already have what we’re ‘looking for’ right in front of us.
It’s an issue of perspective. We can move to Tahiti to ‘escape our problems’, and while I’m sure the change in scenery is beautiful and awesome and amazing… and Iamsotemptedyoudon’tevenknow… It rains in Tahiti, too. A lot, actually. And there are tsunamis {Though maybe it’s more doable with the whole I-live-on-the-exotic-beach gig?}
Maybe then, I would not be skinny fat.
Everything comes with its own set of problems, and I don’t think we’re allowing ourselves to see the entire story through the tiny glimpses of projected influential overshare.
You were born to be real, not to be perfect – via
We all need a little more real
We (Jamin + I) as bloggers, never want to perpetuate the idea of perfection. Nothing makes me sadder or angrier, really, than the notion that we could frustrate someone by what we share here. Though glimpses of my life through pinterest, I am sure, make it impossible if you don’t read regularly. We’re all putting our “best feet forward” without sharing the entire story.
Because we live in a broken world, we are both far from anything remotely pretty or put together. If there’s a nice shot in our home, know that there was laundry and crayons and dog food and a weird dust bunny with unidentifiable insect parts shoved out of the way so I could get it there. All because we hope to share and inspire with what we do. I would never even be so naive as to think I pretend to portray it. If there’s a photo of my kids doing homeschool, know that there was probably an all out battle of the wills with my kindergartener to get to that point. We do what we do, now, to meet our family’s needs. It’s a good day if I get to shower. We share a lot. But for us, I assure you, there’s a lot of moments that we prefer to keep to ourselves.
In fact, most moments are not meant to be shared. I think it’s important to stay honest and while there’s also the fine line of overshare, (a whole different topic) just being real is what the world needs a little more of. Actually, shutting our laptops down and walking away, is what the world needs a little more of.
But when we’re a part of the www… a little real can go a long way.
Cultivate Gratitude
I think that in general, our society seriously lacks the fine art of thankfulness. We’re so busy focused on the next big thing… on that carrot…. that we’re missing the big picture.
Though I can make vague references to “society” and “culture” all day and the fact that we are a saturated people, the problem truly starts with me. We’re missing the beautiful sunset we’re given every afternoon. We’re missing the fact that we have to roll up out of bed because we’ve been given another day. Or that we have to clean our home because we have one. Cleaning is not how I’d rather spend my time, but it’s a part of life. The fun and the not so fun are just a part of growing up. {I need a giant sign flashing over my head now that I’m well into my thirties that says “Welcome to the real world: Where the simple act of constantly changing out a fresh toilet paper roll is enough to drive anyone batty.” Seriously. Why do we need them so often?}
I want to strive to appreciate the good and the bad for what they are. Endless toilet paper consumption and all.
I watched a documentary last week called “Happy”. Maybe because I feel like I’m missing something. But it told me nothing new. Did you know that people in Japan are working themselves to death (see: Karoshi)? While those with less… those living in shacks with next to nothing are living fuller, beautiful lives.
I had a friend who traveled to Africa a year ago, and when I asked her if it was hard, she gave me the answer that was opposite of what I expected her to say: The people there are happier than they are here. And it goes deeper than just a surface attitude. We’re so busy chasing after ephemeral things, and when it comes down to it… they aren’t guaranteed tomorrow on a more saturated, real level. Disease, poverty, you name it… it’s a very real thing and they’re living with it daily. They worship in church like she’s never seen.
They long for Heaven.
We hope for the sermon to be over soon so we can go out to eat.
They have something we don’t. A lot more, actually. They have embraced today for what it is, and have a sense of gratitude for everything.
In life, I believe we make unconscious decisions: It’s a give and take. It’s the trading post. We work long hours and travel a lot and miss out on family. Or we work less, and have less financial security. There are so many variables, but for everything there is some cost. Some pros with the cons. Regardless of what path we choose, I think we all need to realize it’s our own path.
And our only real job, is to appreciate our life for what it is, in the moment. Blessings and failures. Heartache and celebration. Thanking our Maker for every gift of a moment. Because we’re not guaranteed tomorrow.
All we have is now – via
Cherish the present
It’s all we have.
I’m told as a younger mother with younger children that “I will miss this.” or “I will have regrets.” I feel like I live in fear based on what I’ve listened to. I literally keep myself in check, hoping to spend enough time saturated in relishing it all. I’m celebrating too much. I do too much. I’m making them the center of my universe and that’s bad. I work and that’s not good. I don’t work and I still lose for not contributing more. I’m failing because I don’t live my life as others see that I should. I try too hard to make things magical. Or on the flip side, I’m worried too much about their future. How I am providing for them? How will we do the college thing? What will they need therapy for? Who will write an exposé about their terrible parents, first?
While all the while I’m just trying to do what I can. The very best. Isn’t everyone?
I want to live in the present, and soak it all in. I can’t be sad that my children are growing up, because that means they’re healthy. I can’t worry about the future, because I can’t control it. Of course I will live with regrets. Of course I will be sentimental. That’s called parenting. But I won’t let fear and guilt dominate everything in my life. That’s what makes me so unhappy. The notion that I’m never measuring up to my own expectations.
Never doing anything right, or making the right decisions based on what others are telling me or how I’m perceived. At the end of the day, we’re all just doing the best we can… “organic” apples or gummy snacks made with “real” fruit juice. It is what it is, and I plan to enjoy it.
We have a lot to glean from our struggles and it’s something to think about. The good, and the bad. All I can do is live in the now.
There’s no such thing as balance.
Jami Nato {a good dose of real, btw} left this comment on a post I wrote at the beginning of the year… and it was very thought provoking for me. Quite the duh moment, too:
Truth. I’ve been mistaking the notion of balance as perfection… looking for this sweet spot in life, when the only thing that can satisfy me is not of this world.
There I go, chasing after that carrot again.
_____________________
I’ll leave you with this:
From the book/movie Pursuit of Happyness: said by Chris Gardner (Will Smith’s character)
It was right then that I started thinking about Thomas Jefferson on the Declaration of Independence and the part about our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And I remember thinking how did he know to put the pursuit part in there? That maybe happiness is something that we can only pursue and maybe we can actually never have it. No matter what. How did he know that?
_____________________
So I’m done with chasing the notion of something based on my own predisposed expectations.
They will only let me down.
I’m done with feeling inadequate based on something that I let affect me on social media.
It’s not the whole story.
I’m not trying to impress anyone and everyone.
I’m done with feeling like I’m not measuring up.
Because I never will catch that carrot.
I’m done chasing after the notion of happiness. It’s a general attitude, yes. It’s a great emotion. But it’s only temporary. I am not of this world, and that’s okay. The sooner we accept it, the sooner we can embrace true Joy.
In the middle of both those tornadic storms and the perfect, sunny day weather.
No matter what the circumstances.
Lori H says
Have to go to work this morning so I skimmed this – marking it to come back and read slowly. Even a skim-read tells me that this is a fantastic post, full of great insight. Thanks!!! I look forward to really taking it in later today. 🙂
Kara F. says
Ashley, I’m not sure if you know how necessary it was for me to read this today… we spend so much time chasing, to your point, perfection, happiness, the next phase, while missing the joy in the moment, even the messy, not magical ones. Balance is a myth indeed and I appreciate your transparency in sharing your challenges we all face and lock away behind pins of perfect birthday parties and organized sock drawers.
Thank you and I hope God gives you a big dose of peace today!
mary says
WOW!!! Can we be friends???
ashley @ the handmade home says
Absolutely!!! ;}
amanda says
Thank you so much for this post. These are my thoughts written on a blog! Thanks for putting into words what I have been feeling!
Julie says
Thank you for writing what I needed to be reminded of today.
Elise says
Thank you for this today. It was needed far more than you know and really his home. I want to pretend we’re best friends now 🙂
Sonya~At Home with The Barkers says
I had a very overwhelming day yesterday…to be honest, lots of them lately! This post is precisely for me RIGHT NOW! God spoke so perfectly through you and I am grateful for it. Thank you! ~Sonya
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you, Sonya. ;}
April says
Wow! I think you have said all the words….so I won’t try to really add anything to this. I just thank you for this post and it’s stirred a lot in me. I will have to read it again.
Kathie says
Thank you for this. This is exactly what I needed to hear/read today.
Amber {Kingwood Drive} says
You’re absolutely FABULOUS!! This post was inspiring and refreshing. Thanks for being so open and honest.
Shanna Jones says
You’re a terrific writer. You put so many of my same feeling into words… Thank you for the reminder!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you for the super kind words, Shanna. Just me, fumbling through my overactive thoughts. ;}
Sarah Royal says
Amen. Just Amen.
Thanks for sharing. So many of us have the same feelings, but not the words.
Kitty says
Word! (fist bump), sister. I needed this. Thanks.
Joy Jenkins says
I had the same day yesterday! I have been struggling to understand why I feel this way and can’t seem to get a grip! But hearing that someone else is gong through the same thing lets me know that I #1 am not Crazy..#2 Can also get past it.
I have every single struggle you listed… even the body image stuff and I am pretty fit and have been a personal trainer/nutrition coach for years but it seems to never be “good enough” based on what you “hear/see” on social media. I freak out if my almost 12 year old drinks a mello-yello! I over it!
I want to share a part of what I read this morning it truly spoke to my heart.
“The truth is that self-sufficiency is a myth perpetuated by pride and temporary success. Health and wealth can disappear instantly, as can life itself. Rejoice in your insufficiency, knowing that MY power is made perfect in weakness.” -Jesus
Have a beautiful day ~Joy
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you, Joy. LOVE this. You’re not alone, and we can get past it. ;}
Michelle says
Ashley…love it love it love it love YOU! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It’s all so very true. Kay, so you need to watch Dr. 90210 and you will totally get over that plastic surgery thought:P You are a hot mama yourself. And guess what? I have sweet dust coatings on my ceiling fan too! Wish you were in Utah and we could totally sit in our yoga clothes and eat thin mints and watch Dowton Abbey all over again and just have a chill day with our kiddos and forget about this complex world that we live in. You’re right, it doesn’t have to be so hard to be happy! We can CHOOSE to stay focused on positivie things. And that sock bun makes waves thingee…I haven’t been able to pull that one off either. TOTAL waste of time! Hugs to you, you kindred spirit. I have been struggling trying to wade through a lot lately and I needed that.
ashley @ the handmade home says
HAHA! Why don’t we live closer!? You’re totally speaking my language. ;} I am going to have to check out that show! Hurray for Thin Mints!
Heather says
Preach it! This is the kind of message that everyone desperately needs. Including me.
Amy says
Best thing I have read in a long time. Forwarding this link to everyone I know. 🙂
Barb Lewis says
that has to be one of the best blog entry’s I have every read. Thank you. I needed that and now I have to think on it for awhile, a long while.
<3
Angie says
Thank you so much for this post. I am a fairly new reader and this is why I come back day after day. I love your honesty and how you don’t try to be someone you are not.
Linda says
Thank you – it is good to remember what is important !
I intend to talk about my joys !
ANN W says
WOW – WOW – WOW – I read this early this morning –then had a day of errands – I have thought about what you said the whole time.
About 3 months ago I made a life change – I decide that I wanted to “pour into the lives” around me – the younger ladies, the older ladies around me – the mom’s with kids the same age as mine and the mom’s with older ones and younger ones too!! The single ladies, the widows – any lady my life came in contact with. You do not need to have “a lot in common” to connect – that was a life changing thought – I choose to appreciate each woman for who SHE is and what season of life SHE is in!
I wanted to let that struggling mom know – you are not alone – we have all been there – we get it – do not feel ashamed!
I wanted to let that woman that has been married 2 years – not to rush to have kids because “everyone else has 2.5 kids”! Enjoy the season you are in – live the season
you are in to the fullest!
I determined in my soul – to speak truth to the ladies around me!
I want to wrap the sweet lady that wants a child more than anything – and romanticizes the situation – dreams of the perfect nursery and ACHES for it to be full. I want to tell her – all perfect or imperfect nurseries get pooped and spit-up all over just the same And adopting is a pretty awesome way to go as well – you hips never spread – you keep your girlish figure and all the other mom’s wonder how you recovered from delivery so quickly NO MATTER the path you are on – someone has been there and we have all survived! TRUTH – not dreams and hurts unrealized – but TRUTH!
Or the gal whose marriage is hard – down right tough – she is broken! I want to tell her that post on Facebook that makes “so-and-so’s” husband look perfect – well tomorrow he could be a jerk – just like the next guy. And often the ladies “bragging” the loudest are the ones that are hurting the deepest. I want to tell her that God can give her beauty for the ashes around her – I have lived it – I can testify to the beauty that you have to FIGHT for in this fallen world! Speak TRUTH!!!
I want to speak life and truth into the ladies around me. The mom struggling with 3 kids and a diaper bag in the Target line – reach out –give her a little help with the diaper bag – a smile and a – you are doing a great job comment!
The mom who has the “difficult” child – give her a hug – a chance to go shopping alone – a pat on the back – an at home spa kit that she can use after the children are in bed so she can take a moment for herself – to drink in life – to rejuvenate and stand tall – ready to face tomorrow!
I want every lady to know – that I have the chance to come in contact with – that life can be hard, and “ugly” and imperfect – but it is the truth and life that we pour into each other’s lives – from having been there – or knowing some day we will be there – and we are in this together! To encourage, lift up, speak life over, speak truth into and inspire each other! That is what life is about!!!
Honesty about the seasons of life – and helping each other through them!
Thank you so much for your post – it spoke life to me – lately I have been focused on the “little” things and you lifted my chin up – and made me take a look around again – not to be overly focused on what is right in front of me- thank you for the “chin lift” the refocus on what is important – the deep breath of truth that cleanses the soul and brings peace – no matter the phase of life!
THANK YOU!
Laura says
Wow. Thank you. I believe you were speaking from My Heart as well as your own! I completely agree with your assessment of the situation we all face as women, wives, and mommies, and have personally struggled for years through this unbiblical and Impossible standard of living (at least impossible for me!). Praise God, He faithfully reminds me that the only Source of Truth who defines Who I am and What is expected of me is My Savior- Jesus! All expectations were met (For Me!) on the cross and I am now given All I need for life through His Holy Spirit. Thats a reason for joy and Enjoyment today and ever day! Thank you for leading me to think on truth today. I think I’ll go put my 2 blessings in bed (un-bathed but fed, praise God!) with gratitude in my heart! 🙂 -laura
Tennille Mykula says
I wrote a really good comment and 30 minutes ago but for some reason it didn’t post. Anyway, I hopped over to facebook and read this and thought it was just the dose of perspective you could use. Mother Teresa was so wise. http://instagram.com/p/aBfR8sRbFC/# The last line is still resonating.
Tennille Mykula says
Ashley…Wow! You sure have been on an interesting journey of growth this past year or so. Honestly, it’s refreshing and reassuring to read. God is up to something. He is trying to get the attention of the movers and shakers around the globe. The moms. The ones forming and shaping the next generation. The ones who are quietly working, day in and day out, in total obscurity. I think He is trying to get us to stop focusing on this silly, frivolous world we live in and commit our hearts and minds fully to him, in a way that is unique to us and the plan he has for each one. If I could screen shot you the conversation I had with my girlfriend over text yesterday you would be amazed at the similarities with your post. I have been feeling every word, every realization, every struggle and every frustration of which you write. And the cool thing about it is He’s stirring my heart up here in northern Canada while He’s stirring yours way down south in Alabama. He’s sneaky like that. Be encouraged! You’re not alone, you’re on the right track. He does not disappoint! And when all else fails remember to breathe. Seriously. Lock yourself in a room, set a timer on your iphone for 5 minutes, and just breathe. God can do SO much with a focused 5 minutes. Thanks for sharing. Feel free to overshare too cuz I think you’re right, a little more real is exactly what we need.
Tennille Mykula says
Ah! Now it shows up. Thought I lost it. Crazy computer!!
Audra says
I love this! Yes, God is working!
Debbie from Illinois says
Good job!
Melissa says
Clever. Witty. Well said.
Happiness is merely an emotion. If one seeks happiness, they might as well seek anger for both with hinder and hurt one’s soul.
Joy is not an emotion nor feeling, but an everlasting state of being.
Thank you for your words.
Audra says
Whew! This was a total God-send today…I’m reading in bed after a terrible, horrible no-good, very bad day of mothering our 3 kids (my husband won’t let me move to Australia) and feeling like my best efforts are not ever going to produce good fruit (my oldest, 5 yrs, has been so difficult and I’m struggling…nothing seems to work lately!). Anyhoo, loved it all. The thing that really struck a chord was your comment about being not of this world (in it, not of it, yes!). It made me think of some Caedmon Call lyrics, “this world has nothing for me and this world has everything. All that I could ever want and nothing that I need.” So true and I so appreciate you pointing me back to Him this evening. He will give grace for each moment, grace for my mothering fails (like real ones, not I didn’t make amazing dinosaur birthday cupcakes or your room doesn’t look like all my pins), and He will give new mercies for a new morning tomorrow. Ah, after I have me a good cry, I can’t wait!
ash says
Skinny fat :-O
Linda says
As an older mom of 3 — I feel for you young gals!!! When our kids were small – birthday parties was a cake and a few friends over – nothing major. When they were young, I refused cable tv in our home for YEARS!!!!! True story – Comcast guys drive up one day wanting to sell us their product – they were SHOCKED that we didn’t have cable!!! In the car, as teens, we NEVER listened to SL100 – our local “cool” radio station–too much filth years ago!!! Years ago, if someone’s home burned, (for example) we may hear about it on the news if our parents let us stay up – we would be sad and go to bed – now -we can upload the video of the house burning and read reports / comments and just get too much!!!!! My husband and I work in Nicaragua one week a year – they are so CONTENT!!! They aren’t rushing around to soccer/ballet/music lessons – they are living life . Now, they may be in a hut with a dirt floor, but does it matter??? We try to enjoy everyday that God gives us!! Hang in there – kids grow up and move out and you date your husband again!!! It’s glorious!!! Ps / my ceiling fans are horrible but who cares???!!!!!
jen says
well said, lady! Made me think of something C.S. Lewis wrote: “It would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half hearted creatures fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by an offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
I can’t help but think it’s a good thing that our Creator doesn’t allow us to be fully satisfied with anything in this world….
Thanks, as always, for sharing!
Stefany says
SOOO relate to everything! You put into words I couldn’t find things I didn’t want to feel but realize it’s ok that i do feel them! THANK YOU FOR THIS POST!
Krystal says
Oh girl, amen! AMEN.
Brittany Avery says
So refreshing to hear. Things we often know, but are so easily forgotten while we’re chasing that carrot. Thanks for the inspiring reminder 🙂
renee tjapkes says
JUST what I needed today. Thank you!
Sarah says
I have never in my whole life commented on a blog, but I want to tell you that I am certain my life is a little more colorful, creative, and joyful than it would be if I hadn’t found your feed. Thank you for so generously sharing your life with us. ❤
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you so much, Sarah! You are too sweet. ;}
Christine says
What a great post. Thank you for being so honest. What you said is so true and really does make me think about what is important in life and how easy it is to be caught up in unimportant things that only make happiness more difficult.
Bonita says
A well written and much needed message! Thank you!