Have you ever looked at someone that you admire and thought, geez, I wish I could be more like her/him. They have it all, a great job, great family, great spouse, their kids are perfect, they always seem happy. And look at that home…. it’s ALWAYS clean. And so and so on.
You think to yourself, I can’t even keep the laundry folded (or maybe even washed) and dinner on the table. Wait, I can’t even fix dinner because I haven’t had any time to go the store in the last couple of weeks. And pretty soon you’ve talked yourself into such a personal pity party that you’re fighting with your imperfect kids. And you’re short with your husband and friends. You may be fuming about work projects or situations where you just felt that things were dumped on you, or just not fair.
Does any of that sound familiar to you? Me too! We’re so good at finding all of our flaws and imperfections and comparing them to the strengths of others whom you admire. But the truth is, things aren’t always as they seem! In fact rarely are they as they look on the outside. EVERYBODY (at least in my past 51 years of experience) is going through something hard. And to a certain degree, we all try to put on the face that nothing is wrong everything is just rosy! It’s time for us to get real, and quit the fake. That is quite the buzz word at the moment isn’t it? Just quit the fake, right? But it’s not really that easy to do.
Let me ask you a couple of questions that I really want you to ponder. Really ponder.
1.What is it about my life that is sooo horrible that I can’t help but look at others and want what they have? And
2. What good is there in my life right now that others might see as optimal (the blessings you have in your life)?
Sometimes we are so focused on what we don’t have that we forget to be grateful and celebrate the things that we do have!
I personally think that is why it is so important to keep some sort of daily gratitude journal! It reminds you to be aware and mindful of all the little things that are good in your life. It helps you to focus on the positives.
One of the the things in my own life that I could really make into a horrible thing, I can make it a negative or a positive, is the fact that I have Bipolar disorder. It would be very easy for me to look at all the negative that comes along with this diagnosis. And it does get the best of me at times. But one of the ways that I try to make it into a positive is to try and help others who may be struggling with similar issues. I am always amazed that just by sharing what I go through, it always touches someone in some way. Sometimes it is in a big way and other times it is as small as them recognizing that they are not alone. They don’t always reach out and let me know, but when they do, it always makes me feel like what I am struggling with is a blessing that I can use to help others in their own lives.
And lastly, looking at and focusing on the good in your life is a practice that is so easy to pick up and really doesn’t take much. Try recording just 3 things daily that are good in your life that day, that moment. It doesn’t have to be anything big. Sometimes for me it is just the fact that I am here on this Earth living another day!
So with that said, go out and look for the good today! Remember that things aren’t always as they seem when viewing what others are putting out there. And know that you are never alone! I see you!
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Pointing Toward Hope 