Reflection

I have been in a real reflective mode lately, probably due to the fact I have read others blogs and face book comments. Some which I agree with, and some I don't.  I am amused at what constitutes rants, and struggles for some, and what brings joy to others. It has enlightened me to ponder about what my thoughts would have been as a young single, or a young mother struggling to raise my 3 children.  I have now, almost been through all stages of motherhood.  Full house to empty nest.  What did I learn?  What have I cherished?

What I learned.

Let go of the little things... Finger prints, spilled  milk, broken treasures, runny noses. LITTLE THINGS WILL NEVER GET A SECOND THOUGHT, WHEN YOUR HOUSE IS EMPTY.
Things aren't always fair...How many diapers you've changed, how many times you had to get up with the children, how many times you bathed them. No one cares, no one is keeping score, just let it go.  IF YOU FOCUS ON LIFE BEING FAIR, MANY PRECIOUS MOMENTS WILL BE LOST.
No amount of complaining is going to change things...Focus on yourself and be the best you can be.  Your husband and children will follow your example, and everyone will start to value each other far more. CHANGE YOURSELF FIRST.
Don't put things off... Just do it!!! Dishes are harder to wash the next day,  laundry is more daunting to fold if there is a mountain of it, bathrooms are easier to clean weekly... Helping your children with projects and such, gets a lot more stressful when tackling them last minute. Start projects early, enjoy the time you spend together on them. LIFE RUNS SO MUCH MORE SMOOTHLY IF YOU DON'T PROCRASTINATE!
Don't  let a to do list take over your life.  I try to make a mental note of the things that HAVE to be done that day. Usually no more than 3 things.  It is hard to be the taxi driver, cleaning lady, worker, chef, bath time giver, teacher (home work), story reader, and live up to that ever important list.  GIVE YOUR SELF SOME DISTANCE BETWEEN WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE,  AND WHAT YOU THINK NEEDS TO BE DONE.
Don't create bad memories. Sad but true it is easy to remember the times I acted out of sorts with my family, and harder to remember the good things I did. FOCUS ON MAKING GOOD MEMORIES.

What Have I Cherished?

Holding my babies
Bedtime stories
Driving to and from school
homework /projects
Shopping for school supplies
Chats on my bed after school
Raking leaves/yard work
Sunday drives
Hugging my teenagers
Late night talks
Ballgames of every sort
Decorating for holidays
Holiday traditions
House full of teenagers mine as well as others
Playing catch with my boys  #hardballsthrownbyteenageboysscary
Vacations/the very few we were able to take
College graduations
Marriages of my Children
Grandchildren

Most of the things I cherish have to do with the times I was charitable. Not gifts, not electronics, not going to the spa, not girls night out, not self interest, just charity, imagine that!

For what its worth, if only to me.