finding the good

I've had an outpouring of love the last couple of days and just want to say thanks. I like to document life as it happens, but honestly don't mean to whine about my terrible situation or beg for help.. but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate the dinners, phone calls, babysitting offers, gift certificates to Taco Bell & kind emails. I have the best friends and I love you all.

The topic of conversation that seems to ring true for everyone is "life has not turned out how we expected." This doesn't mean we're unhappy, just that it can be difficult at times. Parenting is harder that it looks. There are never enough hours in the day to get it ALL done. Money problems never end. Being sick is the pits. Marriage is a lot of hard work... etc. etc. But, it's all part of the good life, isn't it?

I struggle finding a balance between pretending everything is perfect and complaining too much. That's why I finally decided on the blog address fairly happy. I am happy, but not THAT happy... I hate people who are THAT happy.

I think the trick is to not compare your life/situation with others because we never really know what's going on. I came across a great quote the other day from Marvin J. Ashton who said, "If we could look into each other's hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us face, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance and care."

Sometimes it's hard to talk about our struggles because we are all going through different experiences. It's hard to be vulnerable in a time of need, but that keeps us from connecting and relating to one another. It's also THAT much more important to reach out & give others the benefit of the doubt. My mom used to tell me that everyone had a "secret" and if we only knew what was troubling them, we would never judge them for acting the way they did. That was a hard lecture to hear in Jr. High/High School when I just wanted to complain about everyone else, but it's something that has really stuck with me over the years. As soon as I want to gossip about someone else, I pretend they are having the worst day of their lives.

Anyway, this started out as a simple thank you and has turned into something else. I just wanted to say that I am doing well and I appreciate the love and support I have in my life. I love this blog because it is my outlet- a place I can write down the dirt without feeling judged. It keeps me from complaining to my husband the minute he walks through the door (although I do that too :) Life is hard, but it's so much easier knowing that you're not alone. The more we open up with one another and the more we allow others to open up to us (without judging) the better the world would be.

That's what I've been thinking about lately.

PS. According to Jacques Wiesel, "A survey of one hundred self-made millionaires showed only one common denominator. These highly successful men and women could only see the good in people."

PPS. "Every man I meet is in some way my superior, and I can learn of him." Ralph Waldo Emerson. Love this quote.

PPPS. Simon rubbed an entire cube of butter in his hair today.