Saturday, February 2, 2008

Balance through Changing Perspectives

Posted by Tracy Wainwright at 10:09 AM
Changing perspective is another tool to achieving a balanced life. Balance isn’t just about what you have going on. It’s also how you look at and feel about what’s going on. When I start to feel overwhelmed with housework and taking care of my family I stop and give thanks. I’m grateful that I have a house that is safe and warm and has plenty of room for my family. I’m very grateful for my three children. They are true blessings in my life. Just because they’re blessings, though, doesn’t mean that they aren’t work. Just like the house and the husband and my calling to write, these blessings come with responsibilities and need work to maintain them. But if I never stop working to enjoy my blessings, they lose their positive influence on my life.
When I have a pile of laundry and ironing to do, I remind myself how blessed we are to have a full wardrobe of clothes. When the dishwasher is full again, I remind myself it’s because we have plenty of food to eat. When my children’s toys are all over the den, I remind myself that they are healthy. When my husband comes home late from work, I remind myself that he has a great job and is a wonderful father and husband. When I’m exhausted, getting up for the second or third time in the night with my baby, I sing praises that I have this sweet person who’s been entrusted to me.
I am not happy all of the time, and I have to work at changing my perspective. I have down days and do get frustrated. But I’ve learned that if I wallow in these moments, I’ll miss the great moments. I don’t ignore the things that need to change. Part of my job is to teach my children manners and to clean up after themselves. I ask for help when I need it. I take care of the things that need to be taken care of (eventually.) What I don’t do is dwell on these things. I choose instead to dwell on the hugs and kisses, the few moments alone my husband and I snag, the things and people that I have been abundantly blessed with. When I do this, I’m much more grateful and don’t feel as overwhelmed as often. It tips the balance of my mood to the positive side, which helps me bring balance to the other areas of my life.

1 comments on "Balance through Changing Perspectives"

tatkin on February 24, 2008 at 7:31 AM said...

I've read through a lot in the last few days - catching up. I liked this balance section because if I'm unbalanced it's usually coming out on the kids. For instance if I spend a while giving totally to the kids, husband, chores, other people I get greedy and want me time. And that's when I tend to hit my boiling point much faster, but nothing brings me down faster than the look on my children's face after I react in an un-normal way. I think it's important to also say I'm sorry and explain it. We see our tendencies in how we deal with frustration and joy in how our kids choose to deal with these things as well. I have enjoyed reading over your excerpts.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Balance through Changing Perspectives

Changing perspective is another tool to achieving a balanced life. Balance isn’t just about what you have going on. It’s also how you look at and feel about what’s going on. When I start to feel overwhelmed with housework and taking care of my family I stop and give thanks. I’m grateful that I have a house that is safe and warm and has plenty of room for my family. I’m very grateful for my three children. They are true blessings in my life. Just because they’re blessings, though, doesn’t mean that they aren’t work. Just like the house and the husband and my calling to write, these blessings come with responsibilities and need work to maintain them. But if I never stop working to enjoy my blessings, they lose their positive influence on my life.
When I have a pile of laundry and ironing to do, I remind myself how blessed we are to have a full wardrobe of clothes. When the dishwasher is full again, I remind myself it’s because we have plenty of food to eat. When my children’s toys are all over the den, I remind myself that they are healthy. When my husband comes home late from work, I remind myself that he has a great job and is a wonderful father and husband. When I’m exhausted, getting up for the second or third time in the night with my baby, I sing praises that I have this sweet person who’s been entrusted to me.
I am not happy all of the time, and I have to work at changing my perspective. I have down days and do get frustrated. But I’ve learned that if I wallow in these moments, I’ll miss the great moments. I don’t ignore the things that need to change. Part of my job is to teach my children manners and to clean up after themselves. I ask for help when I need it. I take care of the things that need to be taken care of (eventually.) What I don’t do is dwell on these things. I choose instead to dwell on the hugs and kisses, the few moments alone my husband and I snag, the things and people that I have been abundantly blessed with. When I do this, I’m much more grateful and don’t feel as overwhelmed as often. It tips the balance of my mood to the positive side, which helps me bring balance to the other areas of my life.

1 comments:

tatkin said...

I've read through a lot in the last few days - catching up. I liked this balance section because if I'm unbalanced it's usually coming out on the kids. For instance if I spend a while giving totally to the kids, husband, chores, other people I get greedy and want me time. And that's when I tend to hit my boiling point much faster, but nothing brings me down faster than the look on my children's face after I react in an un-normal way. I think it's important to also say I'm sorry and explain it. We see our tendencies in how we deal with frustration and joy in how our kids choose to deal with these things as well. I have enjoyed reading over your excerpts.

 

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