The List.

All of us have some sort of lists that we make for ourselves each day. They can be verbal lists, physical lists (either written or typed into a computer/phone) or the memory list ,which we all know we have heaps of them but I don't know if I could trust my lists from memory. These lists can be quite overwhelming when we take time to think of all the things we THINK we need to do for that day. These lists can also be condemning when we put our worth or value on how good we are by how much we get done in a day. Of course we never let ourselves off the hook when external circumstances come into play, NO we don't.

I know I'm not an unreal house keeper all the time. I quite often have 3, no 4, interruptions at least a couple times a day. "Mum, I don't know how to do this question", "Mum, I hungry", "Honey, I think it's time for a morning tea coffee". Does this sound somewhat familiar? Plus making the house function with meals, washing, cleaning, taking the kids to school/ preschool and the list goes on just to make get through the basics of this day. I'm exhausted just writing all this down!! And that is only just the physical strains of the day let alone all the emotional ones that can creep into your day.

For a while I was getting overwhelmed with all my "things to do" then I had to stop and reassess on what was important for me and my family to function. Again, what was important to ME and MY FAMILY. We live in a very intense and pressured life these days. I think we all take on more pressure than what is necessary. I must say I do like lists but when lists get in the way of what is important (not urgent) I believe that is where most of us go wrong. When vacuuming gets priority before you child who is needing a hug. When a tidying up the lounge is before enjoying the company you have invited over. When dying your hair comes before going on a family outing. I'm sure you could list your own reasons (excuses). Lately I've been reading a book called 'Winning with People' by John Maxwell. This book has made me look at what is important in life like relationships over whose right. Life is about others. So, I think that my lists should be a combination of what I need to get done, what I'd like to get done and what time I make to spend with those around me for that day. Our lives are so ridged that we can't fit in those things that we really do need to do like kiss your children, have a coffee with a friend, lay on the driveway and look at the stars with your hubby. Life is to short to look at lists all day long and the people that love you looking on with 'I wish you would................................' eyes.

Have lists but also have a life that you enjoy with the people you enjoy in it!

Who says "The Jones'" have it all??

We all know the saying "keeping up with the Jones'" or "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence".............I'm sure you could add a few more...........
My question to you is "Who says 'the Jones' have it all anyway"? This is a perception. An uninformed perception. It is a common occurrence for us all to look at what we don't have. We look at each others to compare stylish clothing, the new car, the latest gadget out, my list could go on and on. We all consciously  or unconsciously make those judgments or wishes. Is that grass REALLY greener over there? We don't know what is done behind closed doors. Or how they treat each other. Or those family quality time sacrifices that they have made to keep up with their 'Jones'' to earn those extra bucks.

Lately I have been thinking on instead of we don't have, being grateful for what we DO have. Maybe we don't eat out at restaurants all the time, we don't have the brand new car or the latest fashion but you know what..... I just glad that we have all the clothes we need, enough food to feed my family and friends, a car (which makes us in the top 5% of the world), we have a roof over a head.We also are a family together, loving each other.Our house is a place of safety, encouragement, a place of freedom to be yourself, to be child-like and have fun, acceptance, where you can explore the worlds questions without judgement, for our children and friends ............WE ARE BLESSED!
Quite often our perception of how we see the world is put a skew by how we see ourselves. This change can not come from your outward circumstances but how you change those voices in our heads. At the moment I am reading the book "Winning with people" by John Maxwell and it has a quote in it which I would like to share with you all as it sums it up nicely. "When I was young and free my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it, too, seemed immovable. As I grew in my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those close to me, but alas, they would have none of it. And now I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realised: if I only had changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed my world."
So, are you ready to be happy again...... not by changing your exterior but renovating the interior?
Let's start by being happy for what you have and looking after what you have been given. Being generous with what you have in your hand. It doesn't have to be much but start with what you have. I believe that when you start with changing just those two little things you will see success and joy follow you. It can't hurt to give it ago.