Friday, October 22, 2010

Be Happy with what you have

I used to be truly unhappy with parts of my life. I always wanted more. But the more always brought me more unhappiness. I didn't want more stuff, so that strangers and casual acquaintances could admire the life I had. The more I wanted was to be more. More important in the lives of my family and friends, and doing more for others. My heart was always in the right place, now I just need my body to follow.

In my life journey, I struggle with learning to be happy with what I have. I am certainly happy with my immediate family. I have a loving, caring spouse, who shows me his love for me in all the things that he does. I have three beautiful, healthy, smart children who make me laugh and smile and happy to be in the world. I have a roof over my head, healthy food to eat, as well as clean water to drink. I have my health, and the ability to work to earn my income.

The things that make me unhappy are stress. Worrying about our income, and how to accomplish our goals with an income that is often sporadic. I worry, that our son, who has a rare metabolic condition, may not outlive me. I worry that my middle child, a wonderful daughter, doesn't develop good relationships with her peers, and that she will feel like an outcast during her teenage years, which could lead to so many problems. I worry about my firstborn, who is struggling emotionally and financially to have a good life. I worry for my unborn grandson, who will soon be born into a world that is mostly good, but has parents who will struggle to provide a good life for him.

I try not to think about the material things in my life anymore. They are not the tools that will provide me with happiness. Some do make my life somewhat easier. My happiness can only be gained through providing for my family, and doing good deeds. This has now become my focus. After all, isn't it all about the journey, and not the destination?

3 comments:

  1. I can relate to your worries...
    The things in life that stress me are also worrying about my family and how they will manage in life. Like most families, my children each will have their own challenges in life - when I think too hard on who they might become as adults, it sometimes scares me. All I can do right now is help them to be the best they can be TODAY.

    I am happy with the material things I have and I really don't long for too much else (except maybe a muffin tin that wasn't all rusty!)

    Finding inner peace is my ultimate goal. I'm working on that, one day at a time!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I worry about my firstborn, who is struggling emotionally and financially to have a good life. I worry for my unborn grandson, who will soon be born into a world that is mostly good, but has parents who will struggle to provide a good life for him.

    hmmmm sounds like a great idea to bring a baby into the world.. SIGH... Sounds like another baby being born on the tax payers. CANT FEED THEM DONT BREED THEM.. sigh, I WEEP FOR THE FUTURE WITH BAD CHOICES LIKE THESE BEING ALL TO COMMON

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for your comment, Mandy. :(
    Although I can see how you might think that it 'sounds like another baby being born on the tax payers', I must say that both of this childs parents are working, taxpaying citizens themselves. I said that they will struggle to provide a good life for him, which they are doing; struggling and providing. Thank you for reminding me that there are many out there who presume that it is ok to judge others so harshly. I hope all the best for you and your family.

    ReplyDelete