Proper perspective

You can look at life in two ways. One as if nothing is a miracle, or as if everything is a miracle… you choose.

Tonight, I had a great opportunity to really see where my life is and ponder my blessings. Sadly, I realized how much I really do take for granted. Its almost as though every time I go to work I get a new reality check. I just think to myself… look at how good you’ve got it. In fact the first day at my new job I actually called my dad who I’m having problems with and thanked him for being there just enough for guidance and shelter and love, but also for allowing me to make ‘controlled mistakes’. Even though when I was making those mistakes I didn’t know they were controlled. Then apologized for blaming him 'for never being there'. I will always love him for being the stable single parent I needed him to be, I only wish I noticed that a lot sooner. I can only imagine having to raise 5 girls, especially teenage girls. What torture we must have put him through.

I love having my new job. It really puts things into the proper perspective. I am learning how to act and teach and to guide those in need. The kids I work with are all amazing and I find it a privilege to be able to work with them and get to know them. I have learned that most negative behavior is most likely because negative attention is desired…honestly; I am still learning to deal with the outbursts that often come along with this. I have never witnessed this firsthand and i guess is epiphany to me. I have also learned that a lot of parents enable their kids. I wonder (hope not) if I will at any point of parenthood will enable my child to act in a negative manner or a self-distractive manner. I am so grateful for the church. For the proper perspective it give me. That family is of the utmost importance. I am so grateful for the atonement, and for the role it plays in my life. I am grateful for the Savior, Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he made so we can be together with our families for eternity. What a perfect example of love and sacrifice he was.

The people I associate with at my jobs consistently humble me; they have a way of scaring the crap out of me. I am amazed at how throughout my many jobs in my lifetime, I somehow learn to grow and push myself to the extreme limit both physically and emotionally. But at the same time-I learn to love so many different kinds of people. I remember a thought in a movie that talks about people you meet and the impact they have on your life. They call these people single serving friends. Single serving friends are like single serving pretzels, or single serving Aspirin. You definitely need them; you use them and then move on. But for whatever purpose you needed them for, they were there to help you out. I think a lot of people I meet are like this. They are there for a purpose- to help you learn or grow eventually either they or you leave and move on. But they will always have a place in your heart for what they did for you, good or bad. The point is, is to try to keep those friendships, to make them last forever. I am constantly reminded that most people are good-hearted people, no mater their circumstances. I strive to be a good example and to show genuine love and care for everyone, but sometimes I fail miserably. I am so grateful for all my friends old, and new. For the friends in my life now and those so-called ‘single serving friends’ that have impacted my life in the past. There are special lessons and characteristics I have seen and tried to apply… or avoid. I am so grateful for the privilege and opportunity I have to work with those I work with. Both old and young and for those things they have taught me. They have only made me stronger. “The privilege to work is a gift, the power to work is a blessing, the love of work is success” –David O. McKay.