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Sharing what I've learned that makes "Cents"

Life is challenging as we all know. These days, it's harder than ever to make ends meet and to let go of stress. So, I find good ways to stretch a dollar, as well as, enjoy life! I find daily ways to live happier and to thrive in a world that can often be challenging. Its always been very important to me that I help others along the way. After all, isn't that what life is about?

Keeping tabs on ways to afford the things that you need, and have a little left for those things you simply "want", is my mission. At the same time, I still leave room for spending quality time with the people and things I love, plus spreading joy when possible.

Hope I can help you in some way, as many others have done for me! Remember...try to always "pay it forward"!

Kathleen
Showing posts with label regrets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label regrets. Show all posts

Thursday, February 2, 2023

The Little Things

Years ago, a friend shared something that was sad to hear. She spoke of her previous marriage, and of the things that used to annoy her so much about her husband. One of those things was, "He never put the dishes back in the cabinets right"! She was quiet for a moment, then tears welled up in her eyes. She then said, "I would give anything now to open the cabinets and see the dishes misplaced"! 

I am sure that many of us can understand this, and have had our own "little things" that annoyed us so much...but that we would long to have again now! When my son was little, I often stepped on either a small toy or a Lego (while barefoot of course). Needless to say, it hurt and I was annoyed! Now that he is almost 18, and not that cute little crazy-haired boy anymore, I too find myself longing for those days of strewn toys across the floor! Someday soon, he won't be living at home anymore, and I will long for those days even more!

It is difficult in "the heat of the moment" to pause and think about what really matters. But, if you can, you will definitely look at things differently! There is such truth in the quote, "Pick your battles wisely". Some of those little annoyances, don't really need to be brought up. It has taken me years to learn this, but thankfully I have...and it has made all the difference!


 

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Peanut Butter Kisses

I had my son late in life. I am sure that God knew what He was doing! Prior to that time, I would have just been too selfish and too concerned about the little things. Who knew that a little hand could teach you so much!

While I was pregnant, a co-worker told me to be prepared for everything being spilled on me and "relieved" on me. Part of me laughed, and the other part was in horror! How could this fashionable woman ever allow that to happen? Me, of all people! I set forth to prove her wrong...but was I ever wrong!

There have been so many times in the short 6 years of my son's life where he certainly has fulfilled all...and more of what my co-worker predicted. I learned to always bring an extra change of clothes, for both him and me. I stopped fussing so much about being so utterly "put together" and started worrying more about that little hand who held mine so tightly. The same hands that would come running so happily toward me with big peanut butter kisses, which always left a trail on my clothing. There have been many times that I have simply had to laugh at the time and forethought that I put into getting dressed, only to have to change into something else quickly and haphazardly.

I remember reading the last letter of Erma Bombeck, and how it made a huge impact on me and still does. She was one of the funniest women and so full of life! Her book, "If life is a Bowl of Cherries, What am I doing in the Pits" was so funny and so true. Her last writing was titled, "If I Had My Life to Live Over". It is so terribly sad to read, and yet, so true and profound. One of the many things that she says is that "I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains".

I remember reading this and thinking, how horrible that such a funny lady who seemed to live life so fully, had all of these regrets. I made a promise to myself that I would do the very best I could never to feel that way. Yet, I find I still take things too seriously, and lose my patience when I probably shouldn't. I worry about the little things, and forget to look at the big picture. Yes, I too am a victim of "The Human Condition".

All that you and me can ever do is to keep trying. Practice gratitude daily, stop and smell the roses. Remember that tomorrow is another day to work harder toward that goal. It is the life I am also creating for my son, as these are the memories I want him to have of his childhood with me. I am a work in progress, as we all are :-).

Peace and Grace to you.