*WARNING*...

...there will be no pictures this post.  So if you are only here for new LO's or completely irresistible pictures of my kiddos (totally kidding) then leave now. I have no pictures to share.  Usually when I don't have pictures I don't post, but I find this blog of mine a little therapeutic and so I come on this dreary and foggy Tuesday morning.  I come, but I come empty handed. 

Anyway, I was just thinking about the title and tag line of my blog..."This is my life ~ I will embrace it."  I get frustrated easily.  I get discouraged easily. I feel deeply about things..both happy things and sad things.  I firmly believe that our greatest strengths are often our greatest weaknesses, too.  I don't think it is wrong that I have the above traits ~ it makes me the deeply caring, sensitive to others, fighting for truth, dreamer that I am.  But those strengths are definitely a liability at times.  And I struggle with it.  I struggle to not get discouraged, to not get frustrated.  I also struggle with keeping my joy in ~ on happy occasions if you were standing outside my large picture window in my living room you would see a 29 year old dancing and making a complete fool of herself. I just FEEL deeply. Good and bad.

Going back to my blog title (I went a little off-track there).  It is such a good reminder for me.  When I started this blog and I gave it a title I decided on this because there are days that I would just get so frustrated with life circumstances.  But if I look at my life from another perspective...one of embracing it instead of complaining, it looks sooo much different.  If I EMBRACE it, I get to feel all the love and joy and excitement that it really is.  I have a wonderful life!  No, it is not the typical American-dream type life, but it is wonderful nonetheless.  And in each situation I face if I can just "flip the coin over" and look at the same circumstance from a different perspective, even the frustrating moments can turn into moments of joy.  Some examples...

-- Caleb asks for something to drink all day long.  Usually right when I sit down to do something he senses it and starts asking for something (no, he doesn't talk yet, but he sure can let me know what he wants!)  Often, I get frustrated.  But if I stop and try to embrace the moment I see this wonderful little two year old who is so sweet and sensitive.  I see a little boy who needs his mom (I am a MOM!) and depends on me.  We had a hard time having kids so I do not take them for granted. See, when I embrace the situation I am overwhelmed with the blessings in my life.  And when I give him his drink in his sippy cup, he looks at me with the sweetest baby face and says without fail, "Thank you mama."  How could I be frustrated with that??

-- It is cold and dreary outside and I cannot stand the cold.  I do not like it one little bit.  Not one. But if I take what can be frustrating and look at it from another perspective, I am blown away by the awesomeness of God.  I am amazed at His creation and the cycle of seasons.  I see the beauty of the snow and ice and am overwhelmed.  It also makes me appreciate even more the places where we have lived that are NOT cold ~ India, Malaysia, and even mild Colorado Springs.  We have traveled lots of places and lived in different climates and have experienced places most people never will.  See?  Looking at the cold from a different perspective helps me embrace life rather than push it away.

We can do this in all walks of life...
...if we are frustrated because our internet is down or our computer isn't working we can instead be thankful for all of modern technology and how it helps us day to day,

... If we are frustrated with the way America is today we can instead be thankful to live in a free country with all our needs and most of our wants met.

...If we are frustrated that the Dora and Barney songs run through our head all day long we can instead be grateful for the few minutes of peace our pals Dora and Barney give us from the constant demands.  Okay, well, maybe this one is just me ;)

So what frustrates you today?  How can you "flip the coin over" and see the SAME circumstance from a new perspective.  I think in life we should stop pushing away the things that life brings us but rather, we should try to look at them in a new way.  I am so thankful for all the pains and joys that life has brought me.  I want to embrace it all ~! the good, the bad, and the ugly.

THIS IS MY LIFE.  I WILL EMBRACE IT.

P.S.  In other news, Levi will be crawling in the next few days but he still can't sit up.  Crazy kid.

Comments

[MandaKay]

"Embrace It" is such a good reminder! Love the inspiration you give!

[Erika]

Beautiful post Janet, thanks for sharing those thoughts and feelings. Praying for you!

[Kellie (joelsgirl)]

Janet, have you ever thought about writing and submitting it? I mean like to LHJ or Women's Day or some magazine that takes entries from fantastic writers. Cuz if you aren't inspiring, I don't know who is!