Guest post from Rachael of Thriving on Thrifty
Sometimes my child can teach me important lessons just as much as I can teach him.
The other day, my son and I were eating lunch together. He had blueberry pancakes (one of his favorites) and I was having a tomato and avocado sandwich (one of his least favorites). Even though he had something that he loved more than the food on my plate, he was still so focused on my food that he couldn’t eat his. He threw a royal tantrum knowing that he couldn’t have my food, even though I knew he wouldn’t like it and very likely wouldn’t eat it.
As I sat there perplexed as to why he would act this way, I realized that many times, we as adults act the same way. We are so focused on what others have that we fail to miss the blessings in our own lives. We continue to want what others have even though we may have something even greater sitting right in front of us.
I wrote the following three concepts as an encouragement to myself and to others:
1. Learn to enjoy each step along the way.
This doesn’t mean that we can’t strive for more or find ways to improve our situation, but I feel we should enjoy each step along the way. I say this as an encouragement to myself as well, we shouldn’t miss the blessings sitting in front of us because we are so focused on the future or someone else’s situation or belongings.
Looking for ways to improve yourself and situation can certainly be a positive thing, just don’t miss the blessings at each step of the journey.
2. Learn to find blessings in the small things of life.
I’m making it a goal to try to focus on the blessings presented to me each day — even in the little things.
Even though I may not be able to eat at a five-star restaurant each day, I can be thankful for the time spent with my husband and son eating a homemade sandwich (or pancakes). Instead of complaining about cleaning my house, I can be thankful for having a home.
Try to find at least one thing to be thankful for in each situation during your day.
3. Realize the grass may not be greener on the other side.
Sometimes we think others may have the perfect life or situation, but we may not always realize what may be going on in other hidden areas of their lives.
Realize that just because you may not have it all in one area, doesn’t mean you don’t have just as great or greater blessings in other areas.
Focus on these areas of your life rather than contemplating the things that others have greater than you.
Rachael Lachniet is a stay at home mom who enjoys learning ways to save money for her family and tries to share these ideas with others on her blog, Thriving on Thrifty.
Steph @ From the Burbs to the Boonies says
Thanks for a good reminder 🙂 Perhaps there is something in human nature that has us always looking to the other plate. It probably goes back to our ancestors who were always scouting for better living space, better hunting ground, better water sources. It has a real basis, but in this world of grocery stores and airplanes and electronics, it is no longer necessary. So we have to engage our brain and overcome it.
Nikki Houck says
I loved this post Rachael! I definitely need to be reminded of this quite often!
Mackenzie says
“Learn to find blessings in the small things in life”. I needed to see this today 🙂
Thank you.
Rachael @ Thriving on Thrifty says
Your Welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed reading the post.
Kelli Girsch says
Thank you for reminding us to be grateful for what we do have rather than agonizing over what we don’t have. Everyone wants more than they have..even people who have a lot.
It’s a healthy state of mind to strive for being content. Sometimes the happiest ones are
the ones with the least..because they’ve learned how to deal with it.
By the way, I really like the content of your website.
Kelli Girsch – Bubybabydeals.com
Rachael @ Thriving on Thrifty says
I completely agree! I’m glad you liked my site as well. Thanks for checking it out. I tried copying and pasting the link to your site and I couldn’t get it to pull up. Is your site Buybabydeals.com?
Laura's Ramblings says
Thank you for the reminder that contentment is actually a discipline issue. Hopefully it gets easier and easier as time goes by.
Roxanne says
I truly loved this post! Thank you for the reminder..I really needed it!
Rachael @ Thriving on Thrifty says
Thanks for all the lovely comments/replies! I’m thankful this was able to help others as much as it helped myself.
Lori says
What a lovely post and so true. Thanks for the reminder!
Monica says
What a great reminder for all of us, including myself. =) Thank you for sharing!
Hallie Ann says
This couldn’t have come at a better time – we recently purchased a home with some wonderful features, there also are some major drawbacks. I would get sad looking at beautiful perfect homes on pinterest. I began to wonder if we made a mistake purchasing this home. Then I realized that I need to be thankful for what we have, and to embrace and love the imperfections too. This article re-affirms that we made the right decision. Thank you!
Rachael @ Thriving on Thrifty says
I’m so thankful this was able to help others as much as the reminder was able to help myself, and I’m sure your home is lovely =) Continue to look for the blessings in each situation.
joanna n. says
thank you, thank you! now i’m off to look for the silver lining in the situation that’s bugging me right now…=)
Rachael @ Thriving on Thrifty says
I’m so happy that the post could be of help! It’s certainly something I personally have to continue to keep in mind throughout various situations that arise.
Jamie Rohrbaugh says
So true. My husband and I often drive by areas with extremely nice houses, or pass fancy cars on the road. Every time we do, we are reminded of what Dave Ramsey says: Trying to keep up with the Joneses (if you’re not a “Jones”!) will just make you broke and in debt. Everything is not as it looks. I’m so happy with what God has given me. He is good!