My Resolution

Happy New Year... and just 8 days later!  I'm giving myself mad props that I actually posted this before Easter.  Go, me!

Well, it's that time of year again - time to make resolutions and to revisit all of the goals that we failed to meet last year.  Just kidding.  Honestly, I try really hard not to be overzealous and unrealistic with resolutions so that I can actually meet some of my goals.  Admittedly, some years are better than others.

This year, I stumbled upon a gem that a friend shared on Facebook.  I went back to find it but it has disappeared from this person's page.  I wish that I could find the link because my summary won't do this woman's words justice. Nonetheless, it was a powerful blog post about not ever feeling good enough.  As I read through the paragraphs, it was like reading my thoughts... only the words were coming from someone else's brain.

Not being 'good enough' sums up how I feel in every aspect of my life.  I'm always running late.  I don't make all of my meals with sustainable, non-GMO, organic food.  I say things I shouldn't.  I don't throw magazine-worthy spreads for birthday parties.  I don't give enough time and attention to my marriage.  I sometimes go weeks before responding to an important email.  I lose my temper way too easily.  The kids watch too much tv.  The kids don't get enough activity/exercise.  I don't get enough exercise. There are always 5 loads of dirty clothes piled in our laundry room.  Prayers and scripture reading are not done every day (or week... or month, sometimes).  My dusting skills are woefully poor.  Our FHE's are poorly planned and executed - if they happen at all.  My kitchen sink is never completely empty. Sadly, I could go on for pages and pages about my 'not good enough' list.

I realize I have some weird and lofty expectations.  I get that - and that's why this blogger's thoughts resonated with me.  I'm not preaching that mediocrity should be the new gold standard, but rather that I need to be content even though everything is not perfect.  I need to learn to live in the land of "Good Enough"; I visit but don't ever stay too long there.

But, my friends, the times are a' changin'.

Instead of worrying about the long list of things I can't ever seem to do right, I'm going to try to focus on the good things I accomplish.  I have healthy, growing kids.  I make pretty awesome cupcakes (in my humble opinion).  Dave & I go on dates - at least once a quarter!  I do my cleaning in fits and bursts, but at least I do it; there aren't too many cobwebs in the corners of my house.  And every now and again, I write on my blog.  And I'm going to try to be better, only at a slower pace.  As I look back at my days and weeks, my hope - dare say, my resolution for 2014 - is to see past all of the inadequacies and see that my efforts were indeed, good enough.