Thursday, October 28, 2010

The journey . . .

 
Yesterday, as I was reading a blog about a young mother who felt like she should quit blogging because she felt so inadequate.  There were blogs that she read that made her feel like a failure as a wife and mother.  It reminded me of a poem that someone sent me in an e-mail.

The Girl in a Whirl by 'Dr. Sue'

"Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do,
If you only knew how.
I study the scriptures three hours each day;
I bake,
I upholster,
I scrub,
and I pray.
I always keep the commandments (all ten!) completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.
I help in their classrooms!
I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice!
I cut all their hair!
I donate to charities, give my time and my money;
My goal in life is to make someone's day sunny!!
I play the piano!
I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle!
My checkbooks all balance!
Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)
I'm taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all!
I track my bad habits 'til each is abolished;
Our t-shirts are ironed!
My toenails are polished!
Our family game nights are always delightful;
The games that we play are both fun and insightful.
I do genealogy faithfully, too.
It's easy to do all the things that I do !
I rise early each morning, refreshed and awake;
So I can make breakfast with fresh eggs and steak!
I read to my children!
I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too, with my labors.
I exercise daily to keep my weight down;
I still fit nicely into my wedding gown!
I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each "lost lamb" on my Sunday School roll.
I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all.
I write in my journal!
I sing in the choir!
Each day, I write "thank you's" to those I admire.
My sons were all Eagles Scouts when they were fourteen!
My kids get straight A's!
And their bedrooms are clean!
I have a home business to help make some money;
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.
I help at a soup kitchen at least twice a week;
I change the car's tires!
I fix the sink's leak!
I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.
I make sure that our pantry has a one year supply;
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!
These things are not hard;
'tis good if you do them;
You can if you try!
Just set goals and pursue them!
It's easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work hard, you can do them all, too!
It's easy!" she said
And then she dropped dead!!

Instead of focusing on what others do, or have, we just need to focus on the journey.  Don’t focus on how you rank in comparison to others — life is not a competition . . . it’s a journey!  We are all on a journey, to find something, to become something, to learn, to create.  That journey has nothing to do with how well other people are doing, or what they have, or are able to accomplish in a day or a week.  It has everything to do with what our goals are, and where we want to go in this life.  


If you have shelter over your head, food on the table, clothes on your back, and people who love you, you are blessed.  You have enough.  Anything you have over and above that — and let’s admit it, more than likely, everyone of us reading this blog have more than enough - will be enough!  Be good with that, and you’ll find contentment and peace.

Enjoy the journey!



Hugs,

12 comments:

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Oh that poor young mother, to be having such worries. I do hope you sent her this poem. Or sent her a link to this post of yours. Poor Dear. -sigh-

Ahhhhhh yes, the drive for perfection. The awful drive for perfection. How much needless sadness is generated, by this drive for perfection? -sigh-

Sue said...

Well said Barb, and I hope you were able to encourage her, I agree with all of your thoughts, and the poem was wonderful. Just a wonderful post. Thank you for caring and for sharing.
Hugs,
Sue

The Stewart said...

Can I just say how many times I have felt like that fellow blogger? Feeling inadequate and like everyone else is leaps and bounds ahead of me and I just don't do enough! Then I have to remind myself of just what you said. That life is NOT A COMPETITION!! How true and a good reminder. I love the poem too! I hope you don't mind if I save that to my computer! Thanks for the good reminder!

Just Ramblin' said...

What a great poem. I,too, would like to save it if you don't mind. My heart goes out to this young blogger. It seems we always compare ourselves and circumstances to others when we are at our lowest and they seem at their best or
when are are burdened with everyday life. I certainly hope she will keep blogging and that she will know "this too will pass." Some times I am so glad I'm the age I am, because the competition of the younger years doesn't seem to be so important.
Hope you stay in touch with her. Thanks for such an insightful post. Nola

Susan B said...

Hi Barb,
What a great poem. You are right in what you say about comparing your life to someone else. I'm sorry about the young blogger. I'm sure you were an encouragement to her. I hope she will continue to blog. If she does, she will meet so many wonderful ladies through blogging, and will find much encouragement through them. Thank you for sharing.

Have a nice weekend!

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

May I please jump in here and ask you to please come over and give a "Thumbs Up" to my Sat. post ,-) I know I'm a bit *frank,* but... Difficult times call for unique measures. ,-)

Gentle hugs...

pam said...

Wiser words were never spoken.

Simply Heart And Home said...

Barb,

I love that story - and then she dropped dead. So true. Sometimes we wear ourselves out and it is just so silly to do so.

I hope your blogger friend keeps writing. I love reading all sorts of blogs. It would be dull if everyone's was the same.

Gina

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hi Barb, I can't believe that I missed commenting on this post! Must have gotten sidetracked...that seems too easy for me to do these days.

The poem is very interesting...hope it helped the young blogger. And I do hope that she will not give up blogging if she really enjoys it. She'll meet some wonderful people here!

Your first sentence in the last paragraph says it all...with just the basic needs, we are blessed. Striving for perfection or needing to compete with others is a sure way to feel like a failure at the end of the day, because we can always find someone who is better at something than we are, prettier than we are, wealthier than we are, has a bigger, cleaner house than we do, etc. etc. etc.

This is another great post! Hope you are doing well dear friend. Take care!

Hugs,
Cheryl

LeAnn said...

Barb: I loved this poem; it is so true. We can't do it all. Remember when we used to all talk a lot about Molly Mormon. I know just how some of these young sisters feel when they try to do too much. Many years ago when we lived in Richmond, Utah; Roger lost his job and found 4 pharmacy fill in jobs in 3 little towns. I went back to work as a nurse on 3 night shifts and Logan Regional Hospital. At that time, Roger was in the Bishopric and I was 2nd councilor in the Stake Primary, Mia Maid adviser in our ward, President of the Young Homemakers in the area, treasurer in the PTA. What was I thinking; I thought I could do it all. No time for family became an issue; so I had to make some huge cuts. I learned a lot by it all. I realize now more than ever how important it is to take joy in the journey and you can't do that if you are overloaded.
Thanks for sharing and hugs for you! LeAnn

Lynn said...

Love this post, Barb. That poem is hysterical. Amazing how high the standards we can set for ourselves -- impossible for anyone to keep. Thanks for passing this on, and for sharing your thoughts.

Ladybug said...

Barb thanks for the lovely post my blog !!
and Belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ALSO.....
Love the Poem ...

Blessing

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