Perspective

Last night when we got home from Baby Prep Class our house was hot.  At first I thought it was just because JMS had turned down the AC and then come to find out the unit outside was not working.  Lately I have been thinking a lot about how lucky we are, and things are really starting to gain a whole new perspective for me as I get closer to giving birth to our first baby.  While I am a person that takes time at least once a day to look around and appreciate what I have no AC, 8 months pregnant, in the middle of a Florida summer got me a little grumpy.
 
For five hours we had no AC, but thank the lord we were able to fix the problem and get cooled off.  I will admit that I complained and got irritated with the situation at first .  But then took a deep breath and thought to myself why am I being like this?  At least I, A. Have the option of AC in the first place B. Have planned for emergencies and  to be able to pay for something like this if it did ever happen.  C. Had Kevin the AC man was on call.  When I snapped out of my little frustration is when I started thinking.  There are people out there that do not have AC,  there are children starving in Africa, there are soldiers in the dessert fighting for my safety in 130 degree heat with combat gear on, you know where I am going.  The point is that those five hours reminded me about the importance of putting things in perspective.  No matter what in life little things will happen that are not convenient, are uncomfortable, are challenging, etc but at the end of the day everything in life happens for a reason, and there is always someone that is going through something harder.

My belief has been if you are a good person, work hard, make a difference then good things will come to you.  I don't believe in entitlements if they are not deserved, and believe that by proper planning and being smart with your decisions that you put yourself in a position to be "ok" if a challenge in life may arise.  I think a challenge in our society today is that too many people expect to be given things, rather than planning and finding a way to work hard to get through things on their own. In two months we are going to have our first baby and each day I day think about the important values and wishes that John and I have for our child.  That is another blog post for another day.  But it is important to me to make sure that as our child grows that he/she understands the importance of perspective and reflecting on the little things they will be so fortunate to have.  It is about appreciation, understanding, hard work, and not taking things for granted.  I think that not enough people sit back on a given day and think about how fortunate they are for those little things such as air conditioning, food on the table, and good health. 

This article attached is another thing that made me once again think about how lucky I am this week.  When I thought up this idea to raise money for Make A Wish during my time on the NCAA Division II SAAC, I never in my wildest dreams thought it would turn into what it has today.  But it has, and I am so proud of the NCAA and Division II student athletes for continuing these fundraising efforts to make such a huge, impact, and difference in so many lives on an annual basis.  While the story brings tears to my eyes for sadness in what this little girl and her family have gone through, but they tears of happiness for the work that has been done to make a difference for families and children like this. 

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/ncaa/resources/latest+news/2011/july/make-a-wish+family+thankful+for+dii+efforts?&utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NCAA%20News%20Direct


It is truly inspiring.  As the weekend draws to a close I urge everyone to take the time this week to reflect on the little things, put things in perspective on your own, and enjoy each day because we can.