So many times we find ourselves living a life that doesn’t look exactly like we think it should look. Things happen that we didn’t count on or want to happen. Maybe it was a result of choices we made or things we had no control over.  Maybe you’re doing all the “right” things, but it’s still a constant, uphill battle. Living paycheck to paycheck.  Working jobs that sap your energy and that really don’t speak to your passions and skills.

So many times in the past,  I compared myself to others and experienced discontentment   If you find yourself there, the common reaction for most of us is to start looking around us. You notice the neighbor that drives a new car. The friend who seems to “have it all together”.  The friend who can buy whatever she wants, whenever she wants, and doesn’t seem to appreciate it. How about the friend that can eat whatever she wants to, doesn’t exercise, and still looks as if she stepped out of a magazine?

 I often felt  like I was doing it “all wrong” as a mom. I looked around me at other moms and felt like they had it all together. Their families looked perfect and many times I felt good about just having us all dressed and fed, let alone color coordinated and neatly pressed!

When my boys were little, I attended a Women of Faith Conference with some ladies from church. During one of the sessions, Luci Swindoll told of a trip she took to Alaska and how she wanted more than anything to see a whale. She was so intently watching for a whale that she almost missed a cute, little penguin on an iceberg.  She began to watch him and he was putting on a show for her-dancing and flapping his wings. She recounted that his antics were so cute; it made her laugh and suddenly she realized that she almost missed this fun, impromptu show because it wasn’t what she was looking for. How many times in life do we miss out on the magical moments in life because they aren’t what we were looking for?

I have felt that way many times in my life, not appreciating the blessings I have. After coming home from that conference, I began to look more for the joy in the moment and being content where I was. I began to realize that the big things in life are actually the little things. It’s the day-to-day interactions with family and friends that bring joy and meaning to our lives. It’s realizing that today is the tomorrow you dreamed about yesterday.  Even though I still make mistakes, here are a few things that help me to find contentment:

Even if it’s not exactly what you had in mind, counting your blessings will help you refocus and appreciate the things you have. What you have and take for granted may very well be an enormous luxury for someone else; they may wish they are where YOU are!

So many times we get into a routine or we are so exhausted from working and caring for our homes and our families that we neglect to allow time to enjoy the moment.  We have our schedules booked so full that we don’t have any down time. Have you ever noticed that little kids are so fascinated with looking at small stones or worms and we just want to get things checked off our list? They find joy and magic in each moment, no matter how simple.

I heard this saying once and I love it: “The best way to help yourself is to help others”.   (Author unknown)  If you find yourself feeling down, try to find someone that you can help. When you do something nice for someone else, it brightens your day as well as theirs and many times makes us realize that lots of people have it much worse than we do.  

So often we don’t realize what we have until it’s gone. Enjoy each moment, my friend, because soon it will be a memory. Have a wonderful day!

Love and blessings,

Mindy

P.S. If you need help with shifting your focus, check out my website:  mindyheinercoaching.com

Life coaching has drastically improved how I experience my life and I know it can help you, as well! Book a free 30 minute Discovery Call to find out for yourself!