Measuring up as a Mom

Last weekend I attended Hearts at Home National Conference (a mom's conference).  One of the workshops I attended was called Measuring up as a Mom.  This is a topic that I have struggled with in the past and will probably continue to on a case by case basis.  I think we all do a bit of comparing.  We compare ourselves to others in a myriad of ways.  Why do we do this?  It only serves to make us feel bad about the great things we have in our lives.  My sister heard this somewhere..."Comparison kills contentment."  So true.

I have come to adopt the philosophy "The grass ISN'T always greener on the other side."  When I find myself feeling like I am less or I have less I take a moment to really look at myself or my life.  I always find that I'm happier with what I have...the good things that really matter.  I wouldn't trade my happy marriage or my healthy, smart, handsome boys for anything!  Those are the things that matter...not the money (not that I wouldn't like that;-) or the big house or the fancy cars.  None of those things bring true happiness.   So next time I begin to compare myself to someone else I'll step back and just be grateful for my life.  I hope if someone reads this they'll consider the same.

What lies behind us, and what lies before us, are tiny matters compated to what lies within us.  

~Oliver W. Holmes

Glimpse of a soul

Yesterday I encountered a casual acquaintance that I hadn't seen in a while.  She told me she cried that morning while running.  She said she wanted to trim down a little and cried while asking herself, "why does it have to be so hard."  It wasn't until later that day I realized I had glimpsed her soul.  She tends to be a person who stays "on the surface" and this was a rare moment of vulnerability.

I've been thinking about this a lot since then.  I think it's because too often we don't put ourselves out there for fear of getting hurt or judged.  It's good and healthy to let people have a glimpse of our soul.  To let them see that we're not perfect.  When we open ourselves to each other we all feel less alone. 

Most people tip-toe through life hoping they make it safely to death.
~Earl Nightingale