So, it has been too long since I've taken the time to write, and why I chose today, I'm not really sure. I guess it was probably the push from my sister-in-law or maybe the thought I had as I was reading a friend's post on Facebook today, but regardless, after spending an entire day doing eight loads of laundry and writing papers for my class, I decided I should write some more - but in reflection as opposed to learning.
I started my day a bit angry at the world because of my current life situation...working on college projects every spare second of my life. I go to work, come home, eat dinner and read or write for class. My weekends occur on a rotating basis, on Friday nights I go to class, spend the night away from my husband, and go to class all day Saturday OR I spend the day on Saturday writing and reading for class while my husband works all day. Yes. I'm complaining. This is the way my morning started, and then I came to a realization as I spoke with a friend and classmate about my frustrations. She reminded me of a friend of hers who was attending her father's funeral today. The same woman also lost her mom six months ago. Perspective. My life could be worse. Isn't it true that life is about perspective. I can continue to sit and be mad about my life, to feel sorry for myself and the lack of time I get to spend with my husband, or I can buckle down, do my work and rejoice in the many blessings that I have.
And the Facebook post from a friend that I mentioned earlier...another opportunity to change my perspective. The article was all about how dating and/or courting relationships don't prepare people for what it is like to be married and how newly married couples struggle so much with the day to day existence of living together, never being able to have time for themselves or to escape a situation when they get frustrated. This was another opportunity for me to think about perspective. I am so thankful for my husband. We had many talks about marriage before we entered into the covenant together, we walked in with our eyes wide open to the realities of our similarities and differences, and above all, we have always acknowledged the need for communication. We talk. About everything. Don't get me wrong, there are certainly times when I ask myself how many times I have to walk by the socks he left on the floor before they are going to magically disappear, and I've also wondered why he chooses to watch episodes of the Office over and over and over again. And I'm SURE there have been many times when he has wondered things about my decisions and actions. But, the reality is, we are able to work through these situations. I'm not going to pretend that at some point along our journey of marriage we won't encounter a difficult time. We very well may, but for now, I need to keep perspective. I am thankful for the seemingly smooth transition we have had into this new world of marriage - almost 8 months down. :) Yes, yes, we still have a lot to learn.
So, when Chris got home from work this afternoon, I talked him into a snowshoe. I had been admiring the sunshine out the window as I worked all day. I think the fresh air also helped clear my head and improved my perspective even more. Honestly, I have NOTHING to complain about. My college work will be over in a matter of months, I have an awesome marriage, and countless other blessings in my life for which I am so thankful.
Today, I'm thankful for a new perspective.
~Kari
