Another day...another week...nearly another month...and nearly another summer is in the books. Where does the time go? My wife is already starting back in her classroom, and my daughter will soon be starting the 7th grade. Unfortunately, we get so tied up with every day things...jobs, taking care of the kids, taking care of our homes, running here, running there, etc....that we lose track of time, and before we know it, our time is gone. We also tend to take what we have for granted. We think that things will make us happy. We place more importance on the "what" rather than the "who" in our lives, replacing all important relationships with material possessions. Combine these two...spending all our time fixated on getting bigger, better and newer things...and you have a toxic combination. Unfortunately, this is, more and more, becoming the norm in or society. And the excuse we use more and more..."I want to give my kids more than what I had." Really? How about giving your kids a loving, caring family that actually spends time together. That will go farther than a new iPad or the latest shoes.
I, unfortunately, am just as guilty of this as the next guy...if not more so. Times were not always the easiest, financially, in my family growing up, so I definitely try to over compensate when it comes to providing for my daughter. And I know I don't always appreciate what I have been blessed with in my life. In the Marines and Navy, we had a saying..."Just another day in paradise...where every day is a vacation, every paycheck is a bonus, and every meal is a feast." This was meant to be a sarcastic reference towards life in the military, but as I think about it today, I realize just how true this statement is. Allow me to elaborate...
"Just another day in paradise...where every day is a vacation..." - Each day is not going to be easy, each day is not going to be one that we look back and say "Man, I wish I could do that again," and most importantly, each day is not guaranteed. For some, especially those dealing with a serious, life-threatening illness, each day is truly a blessing, and is, I imagine, most likely viewed and appreciated like most people think of their vacation days...something that they cherish and never want to end.
"...every paycheck is a bonus..." - It's no secret that our economy is not what it once was (but that's a topic for another time). For many, making ends meet is a struggle. For some, work has been non-existent for some time, as has been the ability to support their family. So when a paycheck finally does come, it can feel like a bonus. I spent some time on the unemployed list a number of years ago...long before our economic downturn. Fortunately, I wasn't unemployed long, but the time I was was very difficult and stressful. Not knowing how our bills would be paid, how we would feed our family, etc. definitely took it's toll on me. So when I finally did get a job, and that first paycheck, it felt like I had won the lottery. I can only imagine how it would feel after being unemployed for months, or years.
"...and every meal is a feast." - Along the same lines, for those who have little or nothing, any time they are able to provide a meal for their families, no matter how big or small it may be, it might as well be a feast.
I'm trying more and more to focus on being thankful for what I have been given in my life. God has truly blessed me with more than I deserve. Instead of complaining about my commute, I am thankful for my job. Instead of complaining about all the work I need to get done around the house, I am thankful for my wonderful home. Instead of complaining that I don't have a newer car, or a car more along the lines of what I think I need, I am thankful that my wife and I both have dependable vehicles. I could go on and on...
I also need to be sure to help show my daughter just how blessed she is, especially when she starts complaining that she doesn't have the latest gadget, gizmo or fashion. I understand that the world is working on her, telling her that she needs more...but I need to help remind her that God has already given her everything she needs, and more...and all we need to do is to stop, look around, and enjoy yet another day in our own paradise.
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