Having my kids home for the summer is turning out to be wonderful and challenging.
I am loving that my two youngest boys still like to hang out with me. They love it when I plan activities, and are easy to please. I love having my teenagers around in the mornings, and am so impressed with their levels of self motivation this summer! My oldest daughter and her husband just moved into our back yard, and it is so fun having them around! They are delightful and helpful, and add a lot to the party around here.
The problem is my own brain. My brain keeps telling me that it’s hard to get things done with everyone underfoot all the time.
The house doesn’t stay clean. I feel guilty when I’m trying to work, which leaves the kids alone playing video games. I can’t go to bed when I want because everyone is still up having fun.
I’ve been telling myself that it feels like I am trying to run through thick mud. I try to make progress, but my feet get stuck and hold me back. “You’re moving too slow,” my brain says. “You’re not making any progress,” it says. That way of thinking doesn’t feel very good.
Then I came across this picture. This woman IS actually running through mud! And look at her face! She is enjoying it! I bet she even paid money to sign up for that obstacle course!
I realize that I signed up for this “obstacle course” of my life. I knew it would be challenging, and that it would help me grow. I knew there would be mud, and that I would get tired sometimes.
I’ve already started the course, so now I get to choose. Do I want to be frustrated by what it is? Or do I want to plow through with a smile on my face and enjoy the messy workout?
Looking at it this way, the answer seems pretty obvious.
Christi
