Relishing Life

It is such a blessing to watch your child become engrossed in something that they love!  To watch him blossom while playing with other children and stretching himself to be the best that he can be is such a wonder.

Photo: Adriano Zanni

Our oldest son played in his first soccer game today.  It is amazing to me how much ds has grown in the short two weeks of practice.   Of course, he has a better understanding of the rules of the game.  And, yes, he now has better control of the ball.  However, his astounding growth has been in the manner in which he is interacting with the other kids and his ability to focus on the game than just messing around.  We aren’t concern with his level of play as much as him truly enjoying playing soccer and interacting well with the other kids (not just walking around hugging and tickling them – lol!).

This morning was quite magical.  The pure joy of playing a sport that he loved was radiating from him.  To see him growing up while still being little was wonderful.  There is nothing more heart-warming than to watch your little one play so intently while loving every moment of it!  Today was a blessing to all of us!

Photo: Yannell Rodriguez

This is a time in my life that I need to come back here and read.

I hope that your life is full of all of God’s blessings and joy!

“The path to happiness is forgiveness of everyone and gratitude for everything.”

-Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Why is it that we care so much about what others think about us? Why is it that even if we don’t respect someone else that our feelings are still hurt when they don’t like us?  Why is it that we can’t focus only on those in our lives that like us for who we are instead of wasting our emotions and energy on people that don’t really matter?

Photo: Gay Mayer

I so want everyone to love me!

Heck, I would love it if most people even simply liked me.  Alas, that is not how the world works.

I have strong opinions and emotions that keep me from being able to simply blend in with those around me.  I don’t mean to be different or not completely accepting of people as I try my best to accept people for who they are.  The problem seems to be that I may be able to accept others for who they are but not agree with  or understand their choices.  And, as I, evidently,  wear my feelings on my sleeve no matter how hard I try not to (and I have been trying ALL my life!), people think that I don’t like them instead of it being the fact that I don’t understand or simply disagree with their choices or views on life.  If I simply don’t know the person yet, my insecurities seem to cause them to think negatively of me.

No matter what the reason for someone not liking me, it still hurts.  It doesn’t matter how old I get, inside I am that insecure teenager who longs to fit in and be liked. I wish that I could figure out how to make a better impression upon people so that they would take the time to get to know the real me!

As I strive to be more accepting and open to others, I hope that my imperfections don’t overshadow what I have to share in a friendship.  I thank God every day for the wonderful people that He has brought into my life who love me and accept me for who I am.  It is for those people that I strive to be an even better friend for they are some of the biggest blessings in my life!

Do you ever feel lost in your own head?

That is how I feel.

It doesn’t matter which way I turn, I seem to run into a dead end.

I can’t seem to find my way home.

A map wouldn’t help me navigate as you must first know where you are in in order to plot your coarse with such a tool.

Sure wish they made a GPS for your mind!

Photo: Giampaolo Macorig

As the day unfolds before us, we have but two choices:

Rejoice in the blessings that we have received or wallow in self-pity.

I choose the former.  Life is too precious to be wasted on the “should-av’s” in life.

WHY is it that we spend so much time worrying about other people???

WHY are we so concerned the choices that others make that have nothing to do with us?

WHY should we be upset about how they are acting, what they are doing with their time, or how they are spending their money?

WHY can’t we just accept others for who they are and support each other as best we can?

If I don’t make the decision to enjoy what God has given me but instead complain about what I am lacking, I am foolish.

If I deplete my energy being a busybody, how has that served me or my family?

As every moment on Earth is a wonderful blessing from God, I am going to try my best to focus on my blessings and be supportive to those around me.

“People with great gifts are easy to find, but symmetrical and balanced ones never.”  – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I just gave my 4-1/2 yo a hug.  The cool part?  He kind of laughed and sweetly said, “I love you, too!” as he bopped away with a smile.

Nothing could be better!

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Celebrate the finer things in your life at Finer Things Friday.