Maybe you are
We just got home from a family reunion..
Seeing most of these people only every 2 or 3 years gives me the a sense I’m watching time-lapsed photography…
I used to internally cringe at these get togethers.
I would compare our families life choices with the other young families in the mix.
5 of the cousins are either Dr’s or have married Doctors. I suspect several of the Aunts and Uncles are millionaires…
And then there was our family 
My wife chose to stay at home as our kids came along…
which meant shopping @ Goodwill and garage sales for the kid’s clothes
Renting instead of owning
Driving an older car
bread from the day old store….
you get the picture.
There are lots of people in the world who have it a 100 times tougher..that I know..
but still, it’s so easy to fall into the comparison trap.
Now, 30 years later, our kids are grown,
wife and I are still in love
I’m still working at a job that energizes and stimulates me most days.
money is still tight, but for the most part we are out of debt….
And those earlier choices don’t seem so stupid any more…
I came across the following description in a book a few weeks ago, that described our life to a T:
“My grandparents lived a simple country life. They were totally self-sufficient, tilling a small piece of land and raising their own food….there was a sense of unhurriedness and simple pleasures. All the money in the world couldn’t buy such luxury in today’s world. It is not for sale. You have to create it….
It is unlikely you can ever totally escape from this high-stress world. We are all on the same train….but to preserve your sanity and achieve a healthy life, you have to make some choices and resolve to live a balanced life. By a “balanced” life, I mean, that like a marathon runner, you must learn how to pace yourself. You give it all you’ve got going uphill and rest as much as you can going downhill. You try to balance the drain on your energy so you can “go the distance”
From the book The Anxiety Cure by Archibald Hart
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As I listened to some of the stories this past weekend, I couldn’t help but think about an article I recently read about rats, overcrowding and stress.
Because some (not all) of my successful relatives are living under a lot of self-imposed stress, .and I thought to myself but are they happy?
They may be making big bucks, but at what cost?
Here’s a link to that article if you’d like to read it. Rat Study
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If you hear a still small voice calling you to get out of the rat race don’t just ignore it.
It may be the voice of God.
And He can make a way.
I know what you’re thinking…
There is nobody in your life who would understand…
But here’s the deal…30 years from now, you will not regret it….
“If you make it to the top of the company ladder, but loose your family in the process, you are a fool.”
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Sorry if this comes across as a little intense. I don’t mean to be. DM
Tags: attitude, Christianity, depression, enjoying life, faith, family, Iowa, marriage, mental-health, parenting, personal, relationships, spirituality, Uncategorized, work
July 31, 2012 at 5:25 am |
well … as my Mom used to say, “even if you win the rat race, who wants to end up a rat?”
Wonderful post!
MJ
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thanks MJ! After I wrote this one, I thought, MJ will relate to this one because I know you guys did this very thing as you wrote about not too long ago (stepping out of the rat race and moving into “a home with a storm door and a white picket fence”…
July 31, 2012 at 5:32 pm |
I thought of this: 2 Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
I can empathize with this post and agree whole heartedly! I am the only daughter-in-law that doesn’t have a PHD. Certain members of the family seem to feel sorry for me, and (with a smile) for the life of me I can’t figure out why. My husband and I have so much fun through our simplicity. Our children are happy, fed, clothed, and loved (mind you, not with designer clothes… does that really matter??)
Though we do carry burdens, those burdens are light because they are Christ’s. I would much rather carry His than my own anyway.
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Megan, thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts! DM
July 31, 2012 at 7:28 pm |
Great post! It is so easy to fall into a comparison trap, especially in big families. A life with God is so fulfilling that although sometimes on some superficial levels, it can appear less so to people outside, it is often more fulfilling overall, even in the apparent ways that we sometimes can take for granted (like intact marriages and overall happiness). The rat race can be deadly. It is scary what we can impose upon ourselves and others in society today. I think it is awesome that you have followed the path you have!
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Thanks Trisha! DM