choices

Recently, I was told a lie.  The teller is a good person, an honest person, a person that I've always considered a good friend.  I'm certain that they thought that a lie was "okay" because it would cause less problems in the long run, than telling the truth.  I was shocked and hurt because I knew the truth and because I've always trusted this person. Actually, I think that the person even knew that I knew the truth.  BUT.  Because I really care about this person, I choose not to get angry, to react or to confront them.  I simply let it go.  Didn't even bat an eyelash.  (Although, I would be lying myself if I didn't admit that my tongue was almost bleeding from biting it!)  I may be a bit more "on guard" with this person in the future, but I am letting it go.  In my old age, I'm learning.  Even a year ago, I'd have had a much different reaction.  Wouldn't it be great to learn life's little lessons when we were young!

This past year, I've learned much about myself by witnessing a friend's painful "growing experience".  One of the most valuable things I have learned, is that festering over an issue isn't going to change a thing.  As you hear so often these days, "It is what it is." I'm learning to take a deep breath and repeat it.  It is what it is.  Or as my cute niece, Lindsay says, "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit."  Well, she says that to her pre-school age children.  But, guess what?  It applies to grown-ups too.  We do get what we get.  In life.  We can choose how we'll handle it.  But, most assuredly, throwing a fit, whether we are three or thirty-three or fifty-three is not ever the right solution.   

A week or so ago, I came across this little story on Facebook and I've seen it posted a few other times since. 

The timing was perfect as a little reminder to me.  I know that I've said this many times before, but every now and then, we all need little reminders, right?  We choose how we deal with each and every challenge, trial,] or situation in our lives.  It's not always easy, but choosing joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy and truth, we will always come out the winner.  Enough said.

Next...

I decided a few weeks ago to take a little February Picture a day challenge. The Day 1 challenge photo was "Your View".  Now, a lot of people may have taken pictures today of their view out the window.  But, I chose to take this photo below, of my sweet boy, Quayd and his friends before they went to the LDS Temple.   These are six of the sharpest boys I know. They are Quayd's closest friends and this mom is thankful that they are!  They, so far, are all making good choices!  They are dependable, trustworthy, fun-loving.  They do everything together and have fun doing it. When I dropped Quayd off at the church, the boys, who'd all been together on the school bus just an hour before, did this crazy little handshake and greeted each other like they'd not seen each other for months. A few minutes later and a few blocks away, I noticed a boy walking down the street alone in, dressed very "gangsta" and looking very alone.  I said a little prayer of gratitude that Quayd was where he was, with the boys he was with.  So, my favorite view today:  I'm blessed to have a sweet young son, who's growing up far too quickly but, so far, is making good choices and making his mama proud. I heart him. 

(left to right:  Jayden, Quayd, Dennison, Josh, Chandler, Chase)

To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved. 

Comments

[Nicole]

Thanks for the "little reminder" today, I have to agree with you but unfortunately I don't always choose joy, peace, love, etc. and when I don't, I always regret it. What a bunch of cute, well mannered and well dressed boys, a nice change of what we see every day in our streets.

[susan]

thought i had already posted one comment but i never saw the box to copy the numbers. So here again...but delete if you got the first.

Goodness Gracious but those are the cutest boys i've seen in a long while. Love the concept of a photo challenge...will you send me the day to day challenge topics so I can play too? Please?

[susan]

oh my goodness gracious..those are the cutest boys ever! maybe i oughta take that feb challenge. what are all the challenges? can you send them to me? Please?