Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Gratitude and happiness


On Saturday at the infertility support group (D says it should be called fertility so as to focus on where we want to be - true!), someone asked during the group sharing session how I coped with those early newborn days without going bonkers and needing anti-depressants.

That's my paraphrase of her question.

At the time I said I didn't know but also D was great, etc.

Later I thought of a better answer.

Through everything I am always aware that I am very blessed.

Firstly to live in South Africa where childcare, night nannies and cleaning ladies are so affordable.

I am WELL aware that if we lived in a number of other countries we'd NEVER be able to afford IVF.

And then we probably wouldn't be able to afford a cleaning lady let alone a nanny.

There's a twin mommy who works at my company who can't even afford a cleaning lady let alone a nanny. Her mom looks after her girls. I am amazed she can still function as she's single!

I've written before that I don't know how some of you ladies do it - I honestly don't. I would be insane without my nanny.

And then secondly, my kids are healthy.

Even though they were 8 weeks early, there are no sight, hearing or other problems.

I always think about M's baby and how she has brain problems - I was telling my "friend with the twins" how the brain thing is becoming more apparent now...especially since mine are so alert, inquisitive and sassy... though I have not stopped praying for her.

I am blessed.

I'm not the world's most grateful person - definitely not - but maybe because of that and because I know the link between being grateful and happy, it's important for me to constantly check in and think about all the things I'm grateful for.

When I read this kind of post, I always want to know HOW.

So this is how I do it - I literally give myself a talking-to and remind myself of the good things in my life - a God that cares about the little things in my life, an involved and very hands-on husband, two precious babies, a wonderful, wonderful boss, a job that I'm good at even though I often get antsy pants, money to live comfortably in a country where the majority of people live in poverty and a fantastic climate.

When I really feel blah (not often but I have my days) there's at least something on that list to cheer me up and sometimes God also gives me a BEAUTIFUL grey sky and I'm happy again.


Are you a naturally grateful about your life? What are your tricks to feeling happy when you're having a blah day?

P.S. If you're on anti-depressants, have at it. I have no problems with AD's. This is what works for me.
P.P.S. This is my 30-min post for Steadymom's challenge

7 comments:

  1. Sometimes I actually have to pinch myself and say, my , you are living a charmed life.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Every time I look at D I think how long I waited for her and how much she was wanted and is loved. That's my AD x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yep-It's all in perspective, isn't it!? I am so thankful I changed mine!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Awesome post! I do try to practice gratitude as well when things are feeling kind of down. It's normal to feel down sometimes, but I think I get myself in a pity party that starts to spiral, but if I remind myself of all the blessings I have: three wonderful kids, awesome husband, beautiful house, great job. It makes me feel so much better and I realize I'm being silly for being down.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mine is - "Every day in Every way, my life is better and better" and truly it is. I think a lot about something my Mom said to me, that there is always someone worse off than me, and someone better off, so just make the most of what you have. I used to suffer terribly from melancholy/depression as a teenager/young adult. AD's helped me get out of the hole, but I'll never go back there again. I now recognise some thoughts as pure lies and try not to give them anchor.

    ReplyDelete
  7. When I get a little down, I try to remind myself how long we waited for our babies, and how very blessed we are to have them. I am honestly so humbled by this opportunity.

    That's certainly not to say I don't have my "pull your hair out" moments...trust me, I do, sometimes for days in a row...but I try to force myself to step back and consider the bigger picture.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for leaving a comment and filling my love tank. I appreciate it!

I'd love to answer your email so please make sure your email address is enabled. In Blogger, go to Edit Profile, and under Privacy, tick the 3rd block and then Save Profile :)

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails