May 2, 2013

Think About It

I saw this pin a while back and it hit me like a ton of bricks. 

Wow!

Could you imagine living such a life?

Maybe some of you could or maybe some of you do but I know I certainly don't.  I know that I've shoved my size 7.5 {7 on a good day} foot in my mouth a time or two and have said and done things that I'm not proud of.  I usually recognize when I do or say something stupid and am often embarrassed by myself just a few, short seconds later.  Thinking before I speak is definitely not one of my strong points.  

That's one of the reasons I love blogging so much, because I can write something, save it as a draft, come back to check it {make sure I didn't say something dumb} and then publish it.  If only there were a "save as draft" button on my mouth in real life.

I've always prided myself on "being loud", being the person that gives her honest/raw opinion, not being afraid of what other people think, saying the thing that everyone is thinking but no one wants to say, etc.  To a degree that is a good character trait but it's also a terrible one if not executed in the right way.

Now that I am a mom to a toddler I am reminded on a daily basis that little ears are always listening and little eyes are always watching.  Kendall is now repeating almost anything and even when I don't realize it, she's listening and watching.  For example, we NEVER refer to Jimmy as "James" yet she knows {probably overheard it in a conversation} that Baby James has the same name as daddy. So either she's a baby super genius {which I tend to think she is} or she's just always listening.

But not only do I need to live this way for her but for myself.  I've been so inspired by so many things lately, bloggers, pins on Pinterest, but most of all our church and God.  I want to be a woman of God and doing so means I need to clean up my act a bit.  I want to live my life in a way in which not only will my family and friends be proud but in a way in which God will be proud.  

I'm not saying it's going to be easy and I'm not saying that I will be a saint every day either.  But, like all of us, I am a work in progress and I can only do my best.  

I know that a few areas I want to focus on the most are being less judgmental, more accepting and more forgiving.  It's not enough to just be a "good person" and do the day to day things that, by definition, are "good".  I want to lead by example.  For my family, for my friends, for myself.

13 comments:

  1. amen to dat!
    good for you shannon! and all of us that need to follow suit.

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  2. I'm right along with you Shannon. I've been motivated to improve my day to day actions. I want to be the best example for my daughter possible. Have a great day!

    ~ Osh
    Sun-Kissed Peony

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  3. You know what pin struck me hard? "What Susy says about Sally says more about Susy then it does about Sally." Whoa. Deeeeeeeeeeeep. (Liked this post, good for you!)

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  4. I've seen this pin before and it really made me think about myself and my actions. My daughter Olivia is right about KP's age and I know exactly what you mean about those "little ears". We're raising Olivia in church and I want her to love Jesus and be kind to all people, non judgemental etc but I have to do that first. I have to lead by example and I'm sure you know it's not easy to look inside yourself and acknowledge all the areas you need improvement. Definitely a humbling experience.

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  5. I love this! I always think about this when people die and you hear their friends and family talk about how amazing they were. . . they say so many nice things and I wonder if it is true! I mean nobody is perfect so it just makes me think. I know I could work on a few things and I'm trying to be a better person everyday!

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  6. I have been struggling with this SO much lately. I too am the kind of person that says what everyone else is thinking, and I used to pride myself on it. But now that I am older Im starting to realize that people don't always say exactly what they are thinking for many reasons. The number one being that its usually rude. But then I'll get crap from people (just one person) that I am being two-faced because I won't say something to someone's face. Which I suppose is true, because if I will say about them but not to them, then I am being two faced. But everyone talks about everyone, lezbehonest. Not that its right, its just the way we are as humans. And its not always mean and malicious. See? Im totally struggling with this. Sorry for dumping this all on you.

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  7. I hear ya girl... I have recently had to start thinking about things not as if I think they are ok or not, but my daughter sees my life and her take on my actions.

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  8. I think the best way for you to use that "being loud" trait is to be loud when others aren't being compassionate or nice. What we allow we teach. If we listen to others be judgmental and don't say anything it makes them feel like we agree and just don't have anything to add. I have gotten better about being judgmental and it feels amazing. It allows me to smile so much more. Now when mean things come out of my mouth (cause they still do) I quickly notice how different it makes me feel and I don't like it. Now I just wish I had your loud!

    That was a great post glad I started my day with it.

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  9. I so love to see the growth in you, and I see it more and more everyday!!! XOXO

    You and Katie kind of had the same post today!!! Love it!!! :)

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  10. :) Great post! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  11. This is such a great post, and definitely something we all need to be reminded of!

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  12. Love this - thanks for posting! Can always use the reminder :o)

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  13. I LOVE that quote so, so much. When I first saw it on Pinterest it hit me hard too! If only we had that "save to draft..." option in real life. Seriously, can anyone say #bloggerprobs? ;) Haha! Happy Friday!

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