Changing My Mind....or at least, my Mindset

It seems like the country has jumped on the simplicity bandwagon. All of the commercials, the sitcoms, the cooking and self help shows shout the same messages. Save money! Live Better! Simplify! Grow your own food! Reduce, reuse, recycle! I love this way of thinking, and I agree with the idea. The problem is, underneath all of these grand ideals is the message "Buy our stuff to help you simplify! Spend more money to save it!" 

My best memories are the simplest ones. Popsicles, grilling out, running through the sprinkler, listening to music in the summer. Curling up with a bag of gummy bears and a book on my bed on the weekend, or when it was cold. Daydreaming out the window in the evening. Chatting on the phone with a good friend. Eating dinner every night with my family. These were the things worth doing, the things I look back on and appreciate.

Flowers from my Boys for Mother's Day

The busier life becomes, more hectic and fast paced, the less joy there is in small, simple things. I know, as an adult, that there are places to go, things to handle, schedules to keep. It's not possible to simply sit and enjoy, and let others handle everything. Still, I want to squeeze as much joy into my life as possible. It hit me, driving down the road, in the middle of a Mom-zilla episode (read: yelling at my kids for acting up) that I need to stop and breathe. Smell the roses. Drink in  the sunshine. Enjoy the little problems of child-rearing and running a household. If I spend all of my time looking forward to the day they sleep in, don't need help every five minutes, I fail to appreciate the time I have with them now. Today is the precious time. Right now is the "good old days" that I will someday look back on. There are no easy answers. Too many of us have the mindset "If I can just..." If I can just get through school...if I can just get through the summer...if I can just get the kids back into school....if only....." So much time is wasted looking forward to next week, next year, and all the while, precious todays are slipping by. 

Some of those precious moments 

I am realizing, as time passes, that there is no "quick fix" to the problems facing us. Our economy is in such serious straights that it will take years to recover. These tight times aren't temporary - they are a new way of life. This new trend of focusing on the family, making the most of the little moments, is where we should have been all along. As tempting as it is, I don't need to buy my kids the newest gadget, or every toy they just HAVE to have. They don't need my money - they need my love, support, security, and smiles. Laughter, hugs, playtime with bubbles, and safe, sweet rest are more valuable to them, and will teach them more about important things, than anything money can buy. 

The most important things in life

My daily reminders

So, I am changing my mindset. I will no longer look forward with an attitude of if just, if only, when...Instead, I will say to myself today, right now, tonight...and make the choice to change my mindset. Making the most of every day, no matter how simple or complicated, is the best choice I can make. I will still plan for the future, and think of the steps I can take toward improvement, but no longer will I think just get through today, this week, this year, and things will change.... The change is now. Inside, where it counts the most. And maybe, just maybe, I'll be a better wife, better mother, better friend, because of it.