Today's Thought
You are reading from the book Today's Gift.
Endurance is nobler than strength, and patience than beauty.--John Ruskin
It's hard to keep from trying to control the lives of others, especially in a family. We can learn from the man whose friend drove twenty miles to and from work on the freeway every day. "How can you do it?" he asked. "I've tried, and I can't go a mile in such traffic without screaming at the crazy drivers who cut in, go too slow, change lanes. Nobody listens. I'd lose my mind if I had to do it your way." His friend replied, "Your trouble is trying to drive every car around you. I relax and drive only one car--my own."
We have only our own lives to live, and this is usually enough to keep us busy. If we pay too much attention to how others live, we will neglect ourselves.
What acts of others can I ignore today?
You are reading from the book Today's Gift.
Endurance is nobler than strength, and patience than beauty.--John Ruskin
It's hard to keep from trying to control the lives of others, especially in a family. We can learn from the man whose friend drove twenty miles to and from work on the freeway every day. "How can you do it?" he asked. "I've tried, and I can't go a mile in such traffic without screaming at the crazy drivers who cut in, go too slow, change lanes. Nobody listens. I'd lose my mind if I had to do it your way." His friend replied, "Your trouble is trying to drive every car around you. I relax and drive only one car--my own."
We have only our own lives to live, and this is usually enough to keep us busy. If we pay too much attention to how others live, we will neglect ourselves.
What acts of others can I ignore today?
Man this is such a struggle for me right now. My kids are nearly grown and I am having to learn new roles as a parent. It is a struggle for me to know what I need to do as a parent and when to let go and let them live their own lives. The only way I am and can get through this is talking to God.....but it's more than just talking. I need to get quiet and listen too. The answers will come if I take the time to do that. Training the mind to listen for that voice, that God conscience is something that I feel will be a life long lesson. I am finding the more I let go and wait for an answer, the easier they seem to come. Now if I can only remember to do that in those moments when they push my buttons and I get all worked up.
14 comments:
Hi Rex - I know kids really can push the buttons. My is just a toddler, but I still stand there wondering which battles are the ones I'm supposed to pick when people say, "You have to pick your battles." Yesterday we went to my Uncles funeral and I marched up front with the family. I was holding my daughter and a big blue Cookie Monster during the march because I couldn't decide what was worse, the inappropriate stuffed animal or the inappropriate tantrum that would follow removal of cookie monster.
thanks for that post Rex. For some reason, I always feel like I'm alone dealing with "grown children" issues. I don't know why I can't remember that I'm not the only one !!!
Very nice site. I am sober for awhile now... It is good to clean, good to be sober....
baby elephants kick ass!!!!!!!
Rex..I had to let go of my first born a little sooner than I could imagine because of his drug and alocohol abuse.He was bringing down the whole family.I had to step up as a parent and parent his with out enabling.I had to let him go.That was over this past year.
Today I have learned I will always be his Mother and part of that is letting all of our kids grow on their own..making thier mistakes in hopes they will learn.It is so tough to watch this I know But your kids will always know you believe in them but you don't have to enable them to show it.We learn parenting as we go and let go huh?
You are such a warm humann Rex..
your kids must love you very much.
Thank you for sharing yet another
great post.
Being a parent is the hardest job. My hats of to all those who are, and more so to those who admit they dont have all the answers. Whatever decisions we make (although they may not be right), cant be all wrong if they come from the heart.
It's hardest for me to not play God when it comes to the kids. I struggle with wanting them to walk the path that I give to them. I try and remember God took care of me and will do the same for my kids.
Wow, are you me in a parallel universe? LOL I am dealing with an almost-but-not-quite-grown Devilteen...Button pusher? YUP!
everyday we spend together I remind myself to be grateful for the lessons I 'get' to learn!!!
Letting go is tough, today I am just doing the bes I can- progress not perfection, and all that!
Hope you're getting better, Rex.
Happy weekend!
Boy does that hit home! Thank you so much for sharing that.
Very powerful blog you have. I enjoyed reading your posts so much. I grew up in the program, father was an alcoholic, and am dealing with my own struggles, clean and sober now thanks to my higher power, and dealing with my husbands addiction, while raising 5 kids. Life is very trying at times. I have always said, we have the answers inside of us, if we would just take the time to listen! Looking forward to future postings!!!
http://memoirsofaimateswife.blogspot.com/
I'm not a parent so I don't claim much knowledge here.
But ...
Try to put yourself in their place when you are questioning yourself? How would you feel if your parents acted the way you want to act?
just a thought ...
I dunno if we can train our mind to listen....I think we have to train our HEART. This is such a good post, and stuff that hits home with me too....I have sooo much trouble figuring out which side of the street is mine and which side is hers... damn.
Hi Rex, we are new to blogging and have just put up a new blog @ http://addictionrecoveryworld.blogspot.com would like 2 connect with other bloggers please check us out.
love the song...
I too have difficulty letting go of some of the people in my life. My wife is the main one. She does and says some stuff that can really upset me if I let it. It's not that she's doing anything "wrong" she is who she is. But, I have to say that I do tend to take everything to heart. I have to watch that and just let her be her and let it go..
Thanks for the great post, as usual!
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