Reality Check

I've been wanting to start a blog for a while now. Not that I believe my thoughts are that important to share to the world, but I have that need to share (maybe that's the teacher in me...or why I became a teacher). But, in addition to sharing I also hope that it may help spark discussions and provoke us to think and share more with each other, either on this platform or some how in our own lives. 
So with that, I begin my very first blog.... I do admit, today's blog is a bit depressing, however I promise others won't be... hope you enjoy.

Life has been great, a beautiful perfect 9 month daughter, a wonderful husband, a perfect home, great family...the list goes on. But its amazing how easily we forget what we have and focus on what we don't: I don't have enough clothes, the backyard doesn't look right, there's too much laundrey, I'm fat, too skinny, no boobs, my husband didn't do this, I'm annoyed, don't like my hair, my wrinkles, etc. As we get wrapped up in these thoughts and worry about the superficial, we lose sight of reality. But today I was reminded, again when I heard that friend from high school is losing his battle with cancer. His world here on Earth is ending. His family's world is changing. His two daughter's have to say goodbye to their daddy.

Those thoughts alone stop me in my tracks and think about how fortunate I am to have what I have. It makes me reach out to my daughter and hold her and pray she lives a healthy, happy, and long life. It reminds me to put down my phone and play with her, to smile and appreciate the fact that she wants her mommy. The dishes can wait, the laundry can wait, the text/email/phone conversation can wait. But life can't wait, it doesn't. Each day is a precious gift and should be respected and appreciated. Today I can play with my daughter, who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Now I know I sound morbid..but its the ugly reality of life. And I know if I think that way all the time I would be depressed and who knows what else! However, the beauty of life is that its multifaceted. With the bad comes the good. Life does go on and the other part of reality is that all these "superficial" things are a part of our life. And the distraction is good at times. A funny email, a random call from a friend, a new pair of heels you wear out on a date with your husband. These are all fun and important distractions in their own right. Reality is the balance of doing laundry, playing with your kids, hugging your husband, taking care of yourself, working, etc... Reality is these all do need to get done and we have to prioritize. Where my thoughts are leading to is that we sometimes need to shift our prioritize to compromise with others priorities (especially those we care most about). My daughter's priority may be mommy at the same time I need to start making dinner... maybe dinner will be late if I stop, smile, and just hold and play with her for a bit..in the grand scheme of things is that so bad? Sometimes prioritizing isn't much fun... like trying to finish an email while your daughter insists on crawling to that one electrical chord over and over again!

Like now...I still have to change the laundry, clean the kitchen, run errands, and take a shower. I would love to put together a cute outfit but not sure if I will have time nor do I know how much will get done today. The baby just woke up from her nap, she needs to eat, diaper change, and needs to play. However, I managed to find time to post my first blog and put my other tasks aside for a half hour. And it feels good. Now I shift gears back to my daughter. As I carry my little girl from her crib and hold her close, I will take my time and be reminded of my blessings and cherish the here and now. How fortunate am I that I have that problem... prioritizing so I can raise my beautiful daughter!

I hope today you find peace in your heart. Remind yourself of what you have and cherish those in your life as well as yourself. Now I must go change a diaper!

In Love, Laughter, and Love.