Okay, so I was having a bit of a pity party blogging about how lonely I am here in a new town, and that I'm having a hard time making friends and feeling like I belong here.
As I was reading in "Words of Mormon" in the Book of Mormon I had an "ah-ha" moment that put things in perspective. I know the story well enough to know that Mormon is struggling to keep himself and his family alive in the midst of wars that are wiping out his entire people, and I know that in the end, Moroni (his son) is left completely alone, having witnessed the destruction of everyone he knew and loved, and knowing that if his enemies find him they will kill him.This made me think about my situation in a much different light, one that erases the pity and makes me more thankful.
Here's why:
First of all, I have my family that love me. My husband and daughter are right here in the same place as me. I haven't had to watch anyone I love be killed. I'm not totally alone.
Secondly, no one is actively trying to hunt me down or kill me. Maybe I don't have any real friends here, but at least I don't have to worry that I'm being targeted because of who I am or what I believe in.
Third, I have all the comforts of a modern home and my needs are all being met. I'm not wandering outdoors, trying to find food or shelter while also trying to hide from enemies.
So...although my life may not be quite what I had hoped it would be, I don't really have that much to complain about. And I sound pretty whiny when I do in comparison to what many others have gone through. Pity party's over. Time to be thankful for what I do have instead of focusing on what I don't.
4 comments:
Gratitude and perspective are wonderful things.
There have been times when I have dealt with huge challenges that I have tried to use this reasoning to help me feel better - "others have it even worse than I do." Sometimes it helped; sometimes it just added to my guilt - "then why am I still struggling so much to deal well with this?"
Hopefully, what I've learned is to use examples such as Mormon/Moroni for perspective but still grant myself the difficulty in handling my own challenges.
It may be a molehill compared to someone else's mountain, but to me at the time, it appears to be a mountain. And it doesn't matter the height or harsh canyon depths of any mountain - it is still a challenge to climb it.
I guess what I'm saying is grant yourself time to find your comfort zone where you are now, but don't wallow in misery. Be grateful, for the big things and the little things. Gratitude changes lives!
You are such an example to me!
Thanks for helping me to get out of my pity-party, too! :)
Every party has a pooper that why you invited... ME...right?? I am a glass half empty kind of girl and I am working REALLY hard to not be.
You can complain all you want, but I am thankful for your change in direction in this post. I ALWAYS need a reminder to be thankful for where I'm at and what I have. I too am blessed beyond belief!
All I can say is that I'm sorry it took us so long to get to know each other.... I am so glad you have become such an integral part of my life. How did I ever survive the last 8 years in this valley without you? Like you said, the contrast is that much sweeter. Love you!
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