What You Have
It has been a crazy summer and an even crazier year. We have seen unprecedented inflation, continued supply and demand issues, a crazy job and housing market, and war. Every time we think the world is slowing down and life is returning to normal, something else happens to shake things up. There is no predicting the future and although it is important to be prepared for the next step in whatever journey we might be on, it is equally important to spend some time to reflect on what we have.
Family
The most important thing to everyone should be our family. Our loved ones support us, encourage us, provide for us, and lift us up when we are down. They are the most consistent thing in most of our lives and sometimes we get so busy that we do not spend enough time reflecting on this. We work to provide for ourselves and our families, and family is the biggest legacy any of us leave behind in life. There is a reason why we loved to talk and brag about our children, they reflect us. We take pride in their success, and we feel the pain in their struggles. This is the way it is supposed to be. We must admit that there is no such thing as a perfect parent or child. There are lots of bumps along the way, but when we overcome them together the bond between family members only becomes stronger. We must stop our busy lives occasionally, to reflect upon this. We must cherish the moments with our family, life is too short to miss opportunities to do so.
Pets
The other factor in the lives of most Americans is the bond we share with our family pets. It does not matter if it is a dog, a cat, or any other type of pet. What matters most is that they are always there to lift our spirts when needed. Animals have a sixth sense of sorts that helps them make us feel better. They know when we are upset or sick and they often know how to bring a smile to our face. They are our faithful companions in life and the love and affection they can provide for us is unmatched. It is true that they can sometimes be a pain and they do make mistakes. They break things, they make messes, and they can cause some financial headaches, but in the end they are worth it. They take care of us as much as we tend to them. We do not spend enough time thinking about the bond they form with us and other family members and how important they are in our lives. So next time you are having a rough day think about or spend some time with your furry friend. Odds are they will bring a smile to your face and make you feel better.
Goals and Accomplishments
All of us have different life goals and different achievements to be proud of. What matters to one person can differ completely to what someone else is proud of and that is okay. What matters most is what we think about ourselves and what our life goals are. We all set standards for ourselves, and we measure our success by these standards. We must remain true to our own sense of pride and success. When was the last time you sat back and thought about what you have achieved recently, over the past month, the past year, or even your lifetime? Odds are it has been a while and that is okay but take a moment to reflect on yourself. Think about how far you have come and where you want to go in the future. Spend some time thinking about what life changes will make you happier and what parts of your life you are grateful for. Doing so is good for your mental health, for your growth as an individual, and helps remind you that you are a great person. Never forget your triumphs, learn from your mistakes, and always shoot for the stars.
Life is full of challenges and hardship, but it is also full of joy, happiness, and success. It is a two-way street, and we will always have good and bad days. Just remember to take some time to shut out the background noise and outside influences to focus on yourself. It doesn’t matter if you have succeeded recently or failed, life is a journey and the only step you can take is the next. Take it with pride and never forget your family, friends, pets, and accomplishments along the way.