What Matters Most...

It’s so easy to complain.

When we complain, others can understand and relate. After all, no one’s life is perfect. Or sometimes, we’re just sensitive to others feelings. In the current economic disaster with so many people struggling to make ends meet, it’s easier to hide behind things that don’t go our way than to share happy and exciting news.

I want to be mad for losing half of this year to an illness that popped out of nowhere, interfered with work, and ruined my plans and friends’ visits. I want to be furious that my PC decided to die—literally sizzle—a few weeks ago, cutting me off from the universe during online holiday shopping season, keeping me from the daily drama of my Facebook friends, and losing all of my files including my novels’ marketing plans and blog posts that I’d spent hours writing in October. I want to find an extra ounce of energy and an additional hour in every day to spend more time with my family.

Hidden behind these “wants” is a need too often left unspoken. I need to remember what’s important. Happiness can’t be found when we can’t see past our shortcomings and life’s unexpected, unpleasant surprises.

During the holiday season when Toys-R-Us sells out of the only toy our kid wants for Christmas or someone cuts in front of us in the checkout line, let’s dig a little deeper and remember what matters most—the love of our family and friends. With that (and a calming breath), we have everything we need.