Sound of Surviving Blog

I used to, and still sometimes struggle with seeing what everyone else is doing. The vacations they’re taking, road trips, concerts they’re attending, the adventures they’re going on, the families they’re building, or the homes they’re buying. It’s never been because I’m not happy for them; I always think it’s wonderful that they get to do these things. I just sometimes start wondering, “Will I ever get to do that?” “Will my life ever look like that?”

But I’ve grown to realize, that no, my life will probably never look like that. That used to make me sad, and even angry. “Why shouldn’t I get to experience those things?” I would wonder.

But then I realized something: when I focused on living my life, and not worrying about what everyone around me was doing, I was happy. I didn’t have to be off in Italy or have kids to be happy. Because there is joy in the mundane, there is hope in not knowing what the future holds, but knowing who holds it. (God)

And suddenly, I started getting glimpses of God’s goodness in love in every little thing. I found laughter in talks with my mom; I saw my nephew’s love for me as I played with him; I found joy and happiness as I facilitated crafts where I volunteered. And most importantly, in each of these things, I was happy.

My life might not look like everyone else’s, but that’s okay. I can still be happy living it. This is my journey, not anyone else’s. And I get to choose to make it count. I will drive my road until it runs out, singing off-key and loudly, but praising God for what he’s given me.  I might not have everything that everyone else does, but that’s just fine, because I’ve been blessed in a million other ways. My blessings might be minuscule compared to what I perceive as others’ blessings; but when I choose to focus on seeing God’s love and light in my own life, they become so utterly clear and apparent.

I’ve found the secret to living a good life isn’t having it all. It is choosing to see God in what you do have; and that, my friend, is everything.