Most of today's problems were yesterday's dreams. I'm not sure anymore where I heard that phrase, but it stuck with me. What does this mean? If you think about it, a lot of what we might complain about as being "problematic" or "annoying" or "frustrating" are things that we once wished for and dreamed of having in our lives.
Here are some examples:
I dream of having a job where I feel needed and can earn a living.
I dream of being married.
I dream of having a house.
I dream of having children and a family.
I dream of having a car.
I dream of making a difference in the world.
So, fast-forward a few years and you now have a job where you are needed, a home, a spouse, kids, a car, whatever those dreams were for you. What can easily happen is our daily complaining centers around caring for the things that we once dreamt of having in our lives :) Yep, I'm guilty of this too.
It can be easy to whine and complain about transporting kids to activities, doing yard work, about the mounds of laundry, about the pile of dishes, about taking the car in for an oil change, about going to work, the volunteering project, etc. The very things that we once upon a time dreamt of having in our life.
It's not that the reality isn't sometimes overwhelming, but what I've personally found is that it's not that the "reality" is really that problematic. Sure there are real struggles, challenges and suffering in life and I'm not trying to diminish or sweep them under the rug. However, it can be pretty easy to become fixated on the grind of life versus celebrating the beauty and richness of life and all that we have in it. This is where a gratitude practice is really helpful. It gives us perspective. It keeps our brains in check.
Instead we could be grateful for having a reliable vehicle that takes us where we need to go, that we have a washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, and running water to make our daily tasks so very much easier. Cherishing the loved ones in our lives and that we have things to care for and love and support. Celebrating and focusing our brains on the fabulous gifts, the dreams that became reality, and the amazing modern technology that helps us get things done with ease.
Remembering that most of today's problems were yesterday's dreams helps me keep perspective and appreciate. A pause where I can remember...oh yeah lucky me I wished for that, I dreamt of it, I worked hard for it, I am so grateful to have a life full of yesterday's dreams!
Here are some examples:
I dream of having a job where I feel needed and can earn a living.
I dream of being married.
I dream of having a house.
I dream of having children and a family.
I dream of having a car.
I dream of making a difference in the world.
So, fast-forward a few years and you now have a job where you are needed, a home, a spouse, kids, a car, whatever those dreams were for you. What can easily happen is our daily complaining centers around caring for the things that we once dreamt of having in our lives :) Yep, I'm guilty of this too.
It can be easy to whine and complain about transporting kids to activities, doing yard work, about the mounds of laundry, about the pile of dishes, about taking the car in for an oil change, about going to work, the volunteering project, etc. The very things that we once upon a time dreamt of having in our life.
It's not that the reality isn't sometimes overwhelming, but what I've personally found is that it's not that the "reality" is really that problematic. Sure there are real struggles, challenges and suffering in life and I'm not trying to diminish or sweep them under the rug. However, it can be pretty easy to become fixated on the grind of life versus celebrating the beauty and richness of life and all that we have in it. This is where a gratitude practice is really helpful. It gives us perspective. It keeps our brains in check.
Instead we could be grateful for having a reliable vehicle that takes us where we need to go, that we have a washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, and running water to make our daily tasks so very much easier. Cherishing the loved ones in our lives and that we have things to care for and love and support. Celebrating and focusing our brains on the fabulous gifts, the dreams that became reality, and the amazing modern technology that helps us get things done with ease.
Remembering that most of today's problems were yesterday's dreams helps me keep perspective and appreciate. A pause where I can remember...oh yeah lucky me I wished for that, I dreamt of it, I worked hard for it, I am so grateful to have a life full of yesterday's dreams!
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