Thread: Moment of Clarity

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Lately I've been thinking about what matters most in life..it gets so dang hectic and scattered that sometimes you just have to prioritize, you know? You get so bogged down in meeting this goal and that goal, having the house cleaned just so, running all these errands, getting caught up in the drama at work, and pleasing all these other people around you that, when you stop to think about it, do most of them really deserve all your effort?? Do they really care and would they reciprocate that kind of dedication? Of course, all these 'accomplishments' that monopolize your time end up taking precious moments away from the ones that really matter most in your life, your family...the ones who share a life and home with you, the ones who really need and want your love, and certainly the only ones who will stand by you through thick and thin....

I love my children and husband more than anything in this world, and while I'm certain they know that, I haven't been doing my best to show them. After some serious reflection, I've begun tripling my efforts to spend more quality time with them--turning off the t.v. to play games with the kids, spending more time with them outside...sharing a quiet, intimate dinner with my husband and engaging in pillow talk at the end of the day instead of finishing those chores, or reading that next chapter.....

And my heart hasn't been so happy in years....

Worrying about finances? It's won't consume me anymore....returning that call immediately? It doesn't have to happen..none of that crap matters. At the end of my life, all I want to be satisfied with is that I have given my 3 men all the love in my heart and that they know it and feel it everyday. That's a good life.

So what do you call this, a testimony? An editorial? I don't know, do y'all ever just need to slow down the pace a little bit and refocus? Anyways.......just thought I'd share my thoughts with my good friends.

Refocus, OH definetly.
Hectic lives, people rushing around trying to get this or that done and never seem to be getting anywhere.
Before you know it life is over and we're standing there wondering where the heck did it go.

I'm an old fart ( 60 ) , I remember when I was a kid people didn't seem to be in as much of a hurry as they are these days.
Sure times change, but I often wonder did it change for the better or worse?

People use to have time for each other.
Neighbors stopped and talked to one another.
It might be my imagination, but I think people were nicer back them.

Now days it seems like people rush through their work day and rush home as fast as possible and stay inside their homes like old hermits.
Don't want to see, talk, or be bothered by anyone.

Don't get me wrong, I have those days myself, thankfully they are few and far between.

I have to tell myself on occasion to slow down and enjoy lifes little pleasures.
The flowers along side of the road I drive everyday to and from work that I never noticed before.
The beautiful colored sky in the summer.
The birds chirping outside in the morning when I leave for work.
The smell of fresh mown grass when I'm done cutting it.
Butterflies, humming birds, little kids playing their games in the evening.

It makes me wonder if all the rushing around and worrying is worth it, with all of the little pleasures in life to enjoy.

oh Laurie your words reminded me of a beautiful poem i received years ago. sounds like your doing something wonderful for your family. i cried when i first read it. here's the poem:

To my child . . . . .

Just for this morning . . . . .
I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning . . . . .
I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.

Just for this morning . . . . .
I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning . . . . .
I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon . . . . .
I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

Just for this afternoon . . . . .
I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon . . . . .
I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

Just for this afternoon . . . . .
I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.

Just for this afternoon . . . . .
I will take us to Mc Donald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.

Just for this evening . . . . .
I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.

Just for this evening . . . . .
I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.

Just for this evening . . . . .
I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

Just for this evening . . . . .
I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.

Just for this evening . . . .
When I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given. I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting
their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside they can't handle it anymore.

And when I kiss you goodnight I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer.

It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him for nothing, except one more day .............

Macabre 1... I absolutely love that poem when it was sent to me. I have actually printed this poem out and laminated it, and it goes with me underground everyday when I go down in the mines. It always gets me thinking about my boys, and how much influence I have on them when I'm hanging out with them.

Laurie...I think everyone goes through this occasionally,. I think it's good for everyone to slow down and enjoy the finer things in life. Playing matchbox cars with the kids, reading a bedtime story, turning off the TV is very important, especially at dinner time for us.

Just enjoy this newfound moment of clarity,,,as sometimes they are short lived!!

That is absolutely beautiful, Macabre, thank you so much for sharing that with us! I'm going to save it and put it in a spot where I can read it often...


And you're so right, Strange...

Strange1 I agree, folks were friendlier, people visited, family, neighbors, sat out on the front porch, and knew everyone in the neighbor hood.
Laurie, and all the ones reading this with kids at home, take the time to celebrate being a parent, enjoy every minute of your children , because you don't know it yet, but those are the best days of your life, IMHO, while I do enjoy my kids as adults, and my relationship with them, I must say I do miss the "good old days" . So Laurie, you have the right idea!Enjoy it to the fullest!

I feel for you. With our efforts of making our lives more convenient, we happen to become less attached to the things that really matter to us like family, friends and our passions for the little things.

Lately, I've also been neglecting the relevant things in my life because of work. I don't really want to blame it on work because I am a willing victim of that, too. It doesn't sound right to say that going corporate is the root of all this misery.