Hush Up
Friday, February 11, 2011 at 9:54AM I'm having one of those days today where I'm annoying myself. In the big scheme of things, I truly have little to nothing to complain about in life.
- I am healthy, my husband and kids are healthy.
- My husband is loyal and loving.
- We have secure income and the insurance that comes with it.
- Our house is warm.
- Our cars are running.
- We have food in our cupboards.
- My hair isn't gray yet.
- My thighs could be bigger.
- Sure it's cold here, but it's colder a lot of other places.
- My job has snow days.
- Doughnuts exist.
It isn't like I don't know how good I have it. I know people with very real health issues. I see kids every single day who are victims of abuse and/or neglect and/or poverty. I've seen the toll that having a special needs child takes on a family.
Yet complain I do. Just this morning I yelled at both Rich and Hayden over essentially trivial things. Things that weren't worth getting worked up over. I whine about the difficulties of raising a teenager and the sad state of my wardrobe. I fret over money and bills and paying for things that 97% of the world would consider luxuries.
Today, I would like to say to myself. . .
"Just shut up already. No, really - Shut. Your. Mouth. Breathe in and out and appreciate the fact that you can. Hug your kids before they ask you for it. Heck, hug them even if they tell you not to - because you can.
"Tell your husband that he rocks your world because not many men would put up with you. Even fewer would do it with intelligence and humor that Rich does. Plus, he lies and tell you you're sexy. Appreciate the man. He deserves it.
"Go to church and give thanks for the fact that you are free to do so. Worship, really worship, the God who made you and redeemed you because He didn't have to.
"Stop neglecting your friendships. There are terrific women in your life. Call them, get together with them. Listen to them and laugh together. Some day you just might need them and you'll be glad you nurtured the relationships.
"Clean your house and be thankful. It's not a burden for crying out loud - it's shelter and you should be grateful for it. Try cramming your family into a two bedroom third floor walk up apartment in a bad neighborhood for a while and you'll never complain about having four toilets to clean again.
"Oh, and while you're at it? Eat a frickin' salad and take a walk. Your health won't just maintain itself you know. The clock is ticking. Tick, tock, tick, tock."
"Above all: For the love of Pete, stop whining."
There. I'm glad I finally told myself off and got that off of my chest. Now let's just hope that I listen to me.
Reader Comments (14)
Hey, you always have a way of making me laugh. Plus it helps tremendously to know I am not alone in some of the whiney feelings I have.
My house is in DIRE need of a cleaning, but I don't want to do it. It's. just. too. much. work. LOL However your thought that I could be crammed into a little apt. makes me inspired to show my gratitude by cleaning. Yeah, I need something to motivate.
All I want to know is did you eat a donut??
I think I need to hush up and listen, too. :)
Tracey - it is a lot of work though!
Allison - In my lifetime? Yes.
LJW - Nah, I think you have enough on your plate right now.
That letter was to me, too!
Thanks for the much needed kick in the butt. I know you weren't directing it at me, but really, someone needs to because, unlike you, I will not do it myself.
Man, I wish I could kick my butt like that.
I read this after I was complaining and carrying on about my job. I need to just shut up and be extremely thankful I have a job to complain about. Thanks for the perspective!
Now I feel guilty. So guilty that I may have to eat that donut. Thanks a lot! : ) (Oops. That sounded like whining, too, didn't it? Guess it's ingrained.)
Hmmmmm. Apparently you were having the same kind of week I was? Had many of the same thoughts, but didn't get to the butt kicking part - thanks for doing it for me. I have much to be thankful for.
Shewwwwwwwwwwww, girl come on over here and tell me off. Thank for sharing that I needed that too.
Oh my God I really like this, I CAN RELATE haha. Thanks to you:))
I need you to actually come here and kick my a$$...like with your foot.
It's like you were talking to ME!