Money Saving Mom®

Not 15 minutes after I posted a very peaceful and serene-looking photo this morning, this picture is what my morning looked like.

Sometimes, I think it’s easy to look at someone’s photos online and concoct a completely false view of what their reality is. That they never have struggles, that life is all roses and rainbows for them, and that their house magically cleans itself.

This is a big part of what our family’s reality has been for the last 5 years — working hard to keep this little boy’s asthma at bay. I don’t talk about it much online because I tire quickly of the well-meaning suggestions for how we should treat or cure or what we need to change or do or not do… We’ve tried the diets and oils and natural remedies — all to no avail. And I already struggle with enough guilt that they haven’t worked.

So, much as it’s hard for my mama heart, we are grateful for modern medicine that keeps this boy able to live an active life, gain weight, and to mostly sleep at night.

I know many parents are dealing with much, much more difficult illnesses and diseases with their children. But it still hurts my mama heart to see this little boy often struggling for breath, waking up with coughing fits, and regularly needing medication and breathing treatments.

I share this little peek into real-life here as a reminder that what you see on social media or a blog is usually just a tiny glimpse into the window of someone’s reality.

Don’t compare yourself to little snippets you see online. Don’t feel frustrated by it. And don’t wish for it. Everyone has heavy burdens and hard struggles. No one is immune.

Cultivate the ground you are standing on instead of wishing you had someone else “greener pastures”.

It might look like a simple pitcher to you, to me it’s a picture of love.

You see, every day, Jesse makes a pitcher of lemon water. Not because I ever asked him to, but because he knows it encourages me to drink more water. And when I drink more water, I feel better and am more energetic.

This is one of dozens and dozens of things he does daily — on his own initiative — to love me and serve me.

Love isn’t just shown in big, grandiose gestures. It’s often shown in the little, everyday things. Like a pitcher of fresh lemon water.

Don’t miss those little opportunities to say “I love you.” They matter… A lot!

Some mornings are much easier to get up than others. One morning just a few weeks ago, when my alarm went off, I felt sort of a dark cloud over me. I just wanted to roll over and go back to sleep.

I felt crabby. However, I knew I had gotten plenty of sleep the night before, so I told myself that I just needed to get up and get moving. I went downstairs and did what I do every single morning when I get up — I spent time reading God’s Word.

Every morning, after I spend time in God’s Word, I take a moment to write in my Gratitude Journal. On this particular morning, I realized that I needed to change my attitude and start focusing on the many blessings in my life.

The day before, we had a pretty long day and I had dealt with some difficult things. I knew that’s why my heart was feeling heavy. And honestly, I didn’t feel like writing in my gratitude journal.

I wanted, instead, to stew over the struggles and frustrations. I wanted to sulk about what had gone wrong. I wanted to sit and worry about things outside of my control.

But I knew in my heart that none of these things would accomplish anything productive. So I reminded myself: I just need to focus on the good.

There are always hard things in life. There are always struggles. How we respond to those struggles is often the only thing we have control over.

Every morning, I have a choice to wake up and choose to focus on the frustrating or choose to focus on the good. Getting out my Gratitude Journal and deciding to focus on what is right in the world, what my blessings are, and what is good in my life can radically transform my outlook on life.

Developing the habit of writing down a line of blessings every morning is one of the BEST ways for me to start my day — even on days when I wake up feeling crabby. Here are three reasons why:

1. Gratitude Changes My Perspective

Instead of focusing on the hard things or discouraging things in life, writing down my blessings causes me to focus on the blessings. A simple change in perspective is so effective in changing the way your day goes.

Ask yourself:

• What’s right in my world?
• What happened yesterday that was good?
• What am I encouraged by right now?
• What’s one thing I have to smile about?

2. Gratitude Slows My Racing Mind

When I woke up feeling crabby on that morning recently, my mind was racing all over the place. I was not only thinking about different situations in my life, but I was also feeling overwhelmed by what I needed to get done that day. 

Taking the time to write in my gratitude journal slowed down my thoughts and helped me to focus on the good instead of being brought down by stressful thoughts.

3. Gratitude Challenges My to Think About Something Other Than Myself

Writing down things I’m thankful for gives me something to think about other than myself. It stops my mind from focusing inward and encourages me to focus outward

It’s easier to be Eeyore with the gloomy outlook on life, but it’s so much better to be Pooh, who always sees the rosy side of things. Writing in my gratitude journal helps me to focus that is on the good that’s right in front of me.

Your Turn: What are YOU Grateful For?

You don’t have to write a long list of things that you are grateful for, but I challenge you right now to think of at least one thing. Write that one thing down and then find a way to share it with someone else. Don’t keep your gratitude to yourself.

• Leave it in a comment on this blog post
• Put it out on social media
• Write it on a sticky note and put it on your mirror
• Jot it down on a whiteboard
• Text it to a friend
• Send it out in an email

Whatever works for you, share that thing you are grateful for. This way, you’ll have a reminder of the good things in your life. When you want to focus on the frustrating things today, remind yourself, instead, of what you’re grateful for. It might end up changing your whole perspective!

Tell us at least one thing you’re grateful for in the comments!

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Go here to order your two-pack of Choose Gratitude Journals.