To be content or not content...that is the question!

For me I often get wrapped up in looking around me and measuring my life with others.  It is not in a jealousy way it is in more of a curiosity way.  I tend to look at other families who have similar jobs and family sizes and get caught up in the “How in the world can they have all that!”.  I really hope I am not the only one who gets caught up in this.  I have to say though; I guess a little bit of it comes from a jealous or even a coveting heart.  Why else would I think of such things, correct?  I mean come on, some of us even look at people’s hard times and wonder “How would I or my family weather that storm?”  Sometimes I simply look past my life and what I have and tend to look into others.  I know, it’s a sick thing but it is something that I have had to come to terms with and learn to shut it down when it begins.  I have had to allow God to point this out to me and then allow TRUST in Him to help me overcome this!!  In my book I call this “the pity party outlook” – These are the things that God has been shouting at me to help me overcome my pity party outlook. 

One way I have shut this thinking down:  Getting myself officially off any type of personal social media site.  I am one of those people that gets on Social Media sites and then gets off and then gets back on and then gets off again.  I would sit and scroll through social media then when I get off I am usually left feeling empty.  I will say this ladies, if you are overly looking on social media or overly posting maybe it is time to step back and reevaluate this whole social media thing – just my two cents.  Ask yourself - How do I feel when I get off my social media?  Why did I post  “Am I simply waiting to see how many people (lets be honest not everyone who is labeled a friend on social media is a friend) like my post?  This is real stuff ladies!  These are real struggles that many people do actually face.  I am not saying social media is bad but honestly not everyone can with stand the emotional baggage that comes with social media.  Find what works for you and you alone!!

The other way I am learning to shut this thinking down:  I talk about it!!  Funny hey, share something that I struggle with!!  I am learning the more I communicate these things the funnier they sound! I was talking with my sister the other day (they just moved into this beautiful home and I can honestly say without any jealousy how super happy I am for them!!)  while we were driving through their new neighborhood.  I voiced “How do they seriously have those cars and that house”.  Do you know what happened; once I spoke those words my sister shared she does the same thing!  Then the funnies thing happened, we laughed about how silly we sound.  We both were brought back to the present and were able to talk about what all God had and is doing for our families!  I felt unified with my sister and actually felt stronger for not being the only human who struggles with this issue.  Sometimes sharing what is on our mind will help us move beyond where we are! 

The last thing for me is:  Learning to be content with where my life is today.  Not yesterday.  Not tomorrow.  Only on today!  For me once I allow myself to start thinking about tomorrow, my focus on today is gone.  When I start to lose focus of the present my mind honestly wonders.  I tend to think about money stresses, teenager stresses, family stresses (don’t kid yourself we all have them), schedule stresses (seriously the list could keep going!)…I lose what God is putting in front of me today!  I will never have another chance for today!  I am not saying not to be schedule minded or not to be a planner that is not what I am saying.  Yes we must calendar and maintain our homes and families and our personal lives; what I am saying is “Enjoy what God has for you simply today!”!  Learn to be content with your 10 year old car, with your 20 year old house, with your beautiful wedding ring, with your lovely fake diamond earrings that only you know are fake, with your size, with you nice new car, with your nice new outfit…with YOU!  Learn to smell the roses.   Take a 10 minute walk to let your mind slow down.  Take a 5 minute shower when you get home from work (it is okay to let the kids watch TV while you decompose your day).  Order pizza for dinner to be able to enjoy your evening (it is okay to have a simply dinner).  Ladies life is a nonstop cycle if you do not learn to stop and be in the moment today, you will miss the roses God is placing in front of you.  Today is today. 

People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives Proverbs 16:2

Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart.  Proverbs 14:33

Joy comes from a Trust in God

Hope comes from a Trust in God

Peace comes from a Trust in God

Faith begins to build with a Trust in God

Love begins to form with a Trust in God