and this one quote helped me....
“We spend a lot of mental energy asking (and answering) the questions of what (what we own, what we want, what is cool, what will make us look good) and where (where we want to live, where we want to travel) and who (who are the best contacts, who do we want to be seen with) and when (when do we want our promotion, or our independence) and how (how do we get more control, how do we win the many games we are playing).
These are not necessarily bad questions, but they can be dangerous when they are not preceded by what should be the first question — why ? It is the why question that causes us to think, and to ponder, and to prioritize, and to pray for guidance and inspiration and insight.
Why do we want what we want? Why do we do what we do? Why is a powerful question because it makes us dig deep and be honest with ourselves, and when we are honest, we know if the answers are good or bad. Answers that relate only to competing, and winning, and appearances, and comfort and ease are not good answers. Answers that relate to the true good of our family, the welfare of others, and the will of God are good answers.
Why is also a good question because answering it honestly often helps to simplify our lives and allow us to break free of the overload. When we don't have a good answer for why we do something, we may be able to stop doing it — to eliminate one more complexity from our lives, and to thus put greater focus and greater priority on a thing that really matters."
Richard Eyre
i asked myself WHY was i killing myself with these bridal showers... and the answer was because i want the college kids and MY kids to know how imprtant marriage is. it is to be celebrated, and showered, and made a big deal of. especially when the world is saying that marriage is NOT important, it is NOT sacred, it is nothing but an agreement between two people and some insurance rights. i want my kids to know that i thought it was SO great and SO wonderful and i knocked myself out having fun showers for people who are getting married.
i also don’t want my kids to have me put to sleep when i start vomiting and not eating (a la the dog), so i took him to a new vet and hopefully we will get some answers and i will be a good pet owner (though that is going to take a miracle of the Lord).
and WHY do i do the school newsletter? because then i don’t feel guilty saying “NO’ to the 1001 other requests that come daily from the school. PLUS i get to put great inspirational quotes in the newsletter and i hope that makes someone stop and think and figure out WHY they are doing the things they are doing. i know that words challenge me, motivate me, and have changed my mind, my heart, and my focus many times.
p.s.- i had a filling done at the dentist this morning and as i write this, i keep wiping drool off of my face and i have this lopsided smile thingie going on and it is really funny and maybe i could get out of doing some of the things i do by just appearing in public with this smile and droolly face... what do you think?