I have been doing a lot of reflecting lately. Not so much about life and it's purpose, but rather how have I dealt with the challenges my life has presented me.
Currently, I find myself faced not only with physical challenges but emotional and financial. I am looking into my past to see how I dealt with such issues and reading lots on finding ways to deal with events that life presents me now.
My hubby has just as many worries on his plate as I, but he deals with things in a much more positive manner. We are so different that way.....he is certainly a person who sees his cup as half full.....if one door closes he sees it as an opportunity for another one to open. Over the past four years he has had to deal with so much adversity it would make the average persons head spin. I guess I have had to as well being his wife. But as I said we look at things much differently.
I worry about paying the bills.....wishing and hoping there was something left over so we could put it away for a rainy day.....it seems it's always a rainy day in that category. We spends hours trying to figure out how to make the best of what we have and how we can change our financial situation.....he continues to be positive and tries very hard to help me find the silver lining.
I was watching the news last night.....although our government won't say we are heading into a recession I truly believe we are. The retailers are crying the blues because we are not spending money.....the towns south of the border are hurting because we Canadians aren't spending our dollars ......how can we when our dollar is only worth 79 cents! I have convinced myself that there will be no presents under the tree this year. Honestly, I have made the conscious decision to not go further into debt....I will not be one to go out and spend just because it's Christmas. We will gather for dinner, I will pepare a feast...we will sit by the fire and enjoy good times and laugh....I will just soak up the sense of warmth and joy I will feel just having them with me.
So back to my reflection.....because I find myself being faced with some hard times I am finding myself taking a count of my life and what truly matters. I have come to the conclusion that no matter how hard I try if I were to die tomorrow or the banks were to come and repossess my home....would it really matter? I couldn't take any of it with me anyways. So I ask myself, if that was the case, would I really need it, and what is it that I truly need? As I said, if the banks want my house they can have it......but they can't take my spirit.....they can't take my love I have for my husband and family. As I think this, and type this, I realize how true.....life is far to short to worry about possessions.
I like to consider myself as a responsible person. I will live up to my financial commitments I will not look to others to bail me out of something that I partially caused myself. That is not in my nature.....if I caused it then it is up to me to solve it. Reflection.
I have noticed the leaves turning their brilliant hues of orange, red and yellow. I have watched the huge oak leaves as they flutter through air and make their graceful landing to the ground below. I look at the creeks and river beds and the water how it flows......the eagles as they hover overhead waiting to feast on the salmon who are making their last journey home to rest......I am surrounded by such beauty......I am blessed......I am learning and reflecting that there is so much more to life than rushing, and pushing and shoving to get ahead......ahead of what?
There is a poem "If I had a chance to live my life over again"......and in it there is a line that says....."I would get down on the floor and play with my children more".....how true.....not only would I get down on the floor and play more.....but I would try to see life from their eyes.....to look at things like I was looking at them for the first time....touching them and smelling them.......I would laugh that belly laugh....that laugh that brings tears to your eyes......I would stop taking life and myself so seriously......I would try to remember to tell those around me how much I love them and how much they mean to me.
Reflection, I had the most wonderful lunch with colleagues from my old job yesterday they gave me a gift basket full of wonderful items....one such item was a book titled "The Friendship Book" It is full of many thoughts and inspirations....I would like to leave you with this one....
"When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light,for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself." ~ Tecumseh~
19 comments:
Hear hear, excellent post. I too worry about the same things as you do. Having just watched my meagre stock portfolio loose half its' value (solid blue chip bank stocks) while I was away and unable to do anything about it, I'm downright ill. This crisis too shall pass and Christmas will be meagre this year. Luckily I have enough air miles to travel to Calgary and be with family this Christmas otherwise there would be no trip. Things will get better, they always do...ciao
Oh Mary Anne this was such a heart felt post.I'm sorry I have not been around here to offer you more, or better support. I hope I can make it up to you.
It seems we are all in the same boat. Here in USA our economy is rapidly falling apart. There are so many who are suffering from it all. But, you are absolutely right. No matter what happens they can't break your spirit or take away from you what really matters. We come into this world without one stitch of clothing. All we have are the people who love us. With them by our side, we grow and we thrive. When it comes down to it, if we can keep those who love us close by, we will continue to thrive, no matter what anyone else takes from us.
I think the best way to celebrate the holidays is with a great meal and by sharing it with loved ones.
Now I will tell you something I remember from being a kid. I do not remember all the fancy presents I got, even though there were many. I don't know who gave me what. But, I remember the Christmas my Aunt and Uncle had no money and could not buy gifts. I didn't know for many years this was the reason for the gift we got, but it was. They showed up at my parents house with a little square pkg. for each person. My aunt had wrapped them and tied beautiful sparkly ribbon on them. Inside, was a small single serve package of raisins. It did not occur to me that this wasn't a grand gift and because it was wrapped so beautiful, I knew those raisins were special and I cherished every one I ate. It is not the value of the gifts that matter, it is the thought of giving that counts.
Now I must read more of your posts and catch up.
Love ya!
xoxoxoxox
HI
I'm Asanda i was impressed by your blog and how you reflect on the things that happened before. i'm just a student i'd like you to have a look at my group's blog, we are group of three and write about similar things as you. please have a look at it
here is the link: www.mirrormiglactic.blogspot.com
HI
I'm Asanda i was impressed by your blog and how you reflect on the things that happened before. i'm just a student i'd like you to have a look at my group's blog, we are group of three and write about similar things as you. please have a look at it
here is the link: www.mirrormiglactic.blogspot.com
I'd already bought most of the gifts I was planning to give in case I ended up having my surgery and couldn't get out. So I'm pretty well set. But I'm getting so that Christmas is not as "grand" as it used to be. Both my daughters can't afford much so I don't want to embarrass them by overspending. It will be "low key" here, too, but we will be together for dinner.
By the way, I hope you all have a great time at your youngest's birthday! Say Happy Birthday for me, okay?
I really enjoy reading your reflections. I think so many of us are thinking similar things. It is rough out there financially! I have been poor more in my life than I have had money so...money matters don't scare me so much. I have been there when I have had to do without. I sure hope the tides change soon for everyone. Things have to get better right?
a thoughtful post. made me feel better and stronger - we are going through many of the same things - as are so many.
one day at a time pretty much saves me, that and always finding something to be grateful for
Happy Birthday to your girl
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
When I was a kid, Christmas presents weren't that plentiful nor were they of a costly nature because my Mom simply didn't have the money to spend. And, the same pretty much applied to my kids too -then and now as well. As a child, the best thing about the Holiday -for me -was that always two of my uncles and their families came home so we had a houseful of company and lots of fun. Today, thankfully, my kids live near me -Mandy of course, and her family live with me, my son lives up the road from us and my older daughter -about 45 miles from here -so we try to get together Christmas Eve for our big family meal, then church for the midnight service. This year, I'm working feverishly on my embroidery projects as they are going to be the bulk of the presents for my kids and the grandkids will get some small type gifts -nothing extravagant for sure! Some books for the older grandson, clothes for Maya and Kurtis -mainly because they sure as heck don't need another toy, but then again, they really don't need all that much in the way of clothes either, come to think of it! So my objective is to try to make some gift for each one that will be something they can keep and use or display in later years or somehthing like that -a remembrance type thing more than anything.
The economy is tanking big-time and what does it get one if you sit and worry about it -other than ulcers or some other illness? I'm thankful today that I have my kids, my grandkids, that we can be together and that at least at this point in time, my health is also relatively stable now too and that I have so many wonderful friends I've found via the internet and blogging! Keep looking at the things that actually mean something to you and let the rest just sort of drift on by.
I'm tagging your for a meme it on my Saturday the 25th and it at the bottom.
Coffee is on.
Me and hubby decided not to get each other Christmas gifts this year. We're just getting for the kids.
I don't why we are the way we are.
I can usual find good in most things but I have to confess there are those time I real have to grab for straws.
My hubby looks at the cup half empty and I look at half full.
Coffee is on.
I have very little in life. Material wise that is.
I have my husband and that is what is really important. I don't have the kids or the other families, just the hubby and I.
Each Christmas is not good and I dread it.
It's horrible how commercialized it's become that presents must be under the tree and I become sad because it just doesn't happen because we don't have the money.
Treasure your families and enjoy that moment.
Treasure what health you have and that you are alive.
The fact that you have a roof over your head and warm clothes on your body and food in your cupboards and your fridge.
A car to drive you from point A to point B...
A job that pulls in money, no matter how little that might be...
A huge family that loves you so very very much!...
You will never be alone...
That's what important right now.
Life is too short to worry about the "what ifs... "
Take one day at a time...
Take care...
{Hugs}
~Michele~
This post says what many are reflecting upon these days. These are truly uncertain economic times, not just in the US and Canada, but really almost everywhere.
We need to remind ourselves, as you have here, of what is truly most important in life.
We all know that those are things that no amount of money can by.
Great post!
hugs))
I guess I'm not the only one who reflects. Sometimes we need to just to see if we are handling things as well as possible.
Karen aka marrid66
http://www.4catsmakemecrazy.com/
http://www.dabossandbryguy.com/
http://www.hereoncolumbiaave.com/
Like most of your commenters, I agree that the most important thing in your life is your family. Homes will come and go. What ifs just keep you fearful.
Go ahead and pay your bills as best you can and save when you can. Teach your children to love each other more than they love material things.
And keep reminding yourself of everything GOOD thing you do have. I'm not sure whether you're a Christian and I don't want to offend, but just like David-sometimes you have to encourage yourself.
Keep on keeping on, girl! You go!!
We are in the fortunate position of not having to worry about money as we have enought to do what we want to do, but it wasn't always so. I empathise with you but you are right what really matters are the things that money can't buy. x
This was an excellent post. It is a scary time in terms of the economy. I have some of those worries too but also much to be grateful for. You express it so well here.
I think everyone is stressing this year. It is so depressing to listen to the news. It's a very difficult world these days. Well I'm here to lighten things up. You have been Boo-Ed! Come over to my house and see what you get.
I enjoyed your reflections. There is an old adage that goes something like "when you are sitting in that rocking chair thinking back on your life, you sure won't be wishing you had spent more time at the office!"
I was reminded of that when you talked about getting down on the floor with your children.
However, we need to be fair to ourselves, too. Most of us do the best we can at the time. We try to balance our time between work and family. We also try to carve out a bit of time for ourselves, too.
We can't be all things to all people. We just do the best we can at that point in time.
My guess is - and I don't know you at all but I have a sense - you were a pretty good parent and still are. It is usually the ones who cared the most who sometimes are prone to beat themselves up a bit later on in life.
I am rambling but please know I enjoyed this post and your blog in general.
Take care.
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