lessons i'm learning.

Several weeks ago Cam's grade had a special program about Great Americans.  At the teachers request, we sent in a picture of grandpa for a little presentation they were putting together.

It makes my heart so tender looking at these pictures of my cute, young grandpa from all those years ago.  He was a witness to so much during those war years.  I miss him dearly, and am beyond grateful for all the things he did his whole life long to make our world a better place.  He was just filled with so much goodness.

I have pondered often over the last few months: is it possible to be a person filled with the goodness and greatness that he was, without making big sacrifices?

Is that the key to greatness?  I think of all the people who I admire the most...  They have all had lives, that at times--sometimes really long spans of time--have been filled with really difficult moments...
 

I think the really important kind of learning is accelerated a lot during those difficult days and weeks and years.  This last year was pretty rough, and sometimes I wonder hmmmm. did I learn anything through this time?  Here's a few things I'm starting to understand. . .

- First, that I cannot please myself (or God) by trying to please others.  I need to be in tune with myself, my heart, my purpose and act from that motivation--not just try to gauge and guess what others want, and try to mold myself to fit it.  This was a BIG LESSON for me, since I have been a people-pleaser through and through, for my entire life!  (This is not to say, I don't want to, or try to please others anymore.  I've just learned it can't be such a catalyst for so many of my actions.)

- If something bugs, I don't have to be annoyed.  Being annoyed always ruins my day.  And I don't want my day ruined...  Ownership and responsibility for my emotions has been super liberating.

- My house can feel clean if I do a few simple things each day: 1. empty the garbages. 2. clean the kitchen table after each meal.  3. make my bed.  4.  gather all the clutter/out of place belongings into a big basket (or two).  Then have each person put away their own things.  It may not BE clean.  But it can feel clean!

- As a child of God, I have divinity within me.  If God can be just, full of peace and kindness, so can I.  Because I am His daughter.  After hearing this my whole life, this whole concept finally clicked for me.  These qualities are in my spiritual DNA.  To get the nitty gritty on this, I whole-heartedly recommend reading a blog about love.  I guarantee you will be uplifted and inspired.

- That it is possible to be at peace and to feel happiness with your life, even when there are a lot of sad and worrisome things going on in it. 

and finally,

- That breathing into a paper bag does not help.  Really.  Who came up with that idea?!

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