When Things Don't Go Your Way...

We all have things in our life that we are particular about. Whether it's how we make our coffee or our plans for the future. We have this picture in our minds of how things should look and when they don't go according to plan we either have this freak out moment and get angry or disappointment washes over us like a wave. Having a plan in some sense is very important if you want to improve your life and grow, but when we let it overtake us and we are too focused on this perfect picture in our heads we forget to notice the immense beauty God has already placed in our lives. We must learn to be grateful for what we have as well as content. If we are always striving for the next best thing, we will never be happy. I'm currently reading this book called "Love Does" by Bob Goff and I have been majorly inspired by his stories. Each chapter has a story from his life and then he wraps it up with the lesson that experience taught him. I would really recommend it to anyone and everyone! It has been a long time since a non-fiction book has kept me turning the pages so eagerly as well as providing interesting perspectives on struggles/problems we face in our lives.

The new members of the family have been staying with us for over a month now! How crazy is that?!?! I have to say, this last month has been the best one I've had in six months. These kids have brought so much joy and creativity into the house. Yes, things do get quite crazy and overwhelming I won't lie. And yes, I have gotten quite annoyed at times and sought refuge from the insanity in my room (which is the only place I can go to be alone). But the moments I've shared with these kids as well as my own siblings have been so precious. Writing sessions creating the funniest poems you could think of, reading book after book appreciating each and every authors artwork, having giggle fits with the girls laughing at nothing. These moments are absolutely priceless and they are what make life so worth living. I used to think that nothing could beat the feeling of accomplishing something you'd worked on for a long time but now I can see just how wrong I was. When we pay attention to those small things and make an effort to appreciate each person and each breath we are blessed to take here on this earth, anxiety leaves and peace takes its place. I hope each of you can learn how to put this into play in your daily lives and feel this indescribable peace I've been talking about.

-Lydia Beth