Do You See What I See?
Stop what you’re doing right now and just look. Look around you. Look left. Look right. Look behind you. What do you see?
At first glance, I see a mess.
I see toys scattered across the floor.
I see an overflowing inbox that has been converted to a baby-proofing device which houses the miscellaneous bits and pieces my boys should not be playing with.
I see pillows on the floor near a half empty sippy cup.
I see a small pile of papers on the desk that still need to be put away.
A mess?
When I look more closely this is what I see:
I see the toys my youngest was using as destinations while he perfects his crawling, something he only just started doing last week.
I see the sippy cup that my nephew “stole” from his sister and sat ever so quietly while trying to finish it before being caught (there’s nothing better than stolen milk when you’re one year old 
).
I see the ottomans pushed to the middle of the room that my eldest son and niece used as comfortable props while they watched a movie.
That overflowing inbox? That is full of attention, love, diligence and care.
The pile of papers is time I’ve chosen to spend with my kids, niece and nephew, to have fun and strengthen a life long bond.
Too often we get caught up in the stuff and in our views of what “should” be. Truth be told there is no “should” there is just “is”. Taking a different perspective on the state of your home, yard, office or anywhere you spend a lot of time can be very refreshing and highlight all that you have to be grateful for. So my mess isn’t really a mess after all. My mess is living proof that we live here, that we had a GREAT time yesterday and that there is certainly enough love to go around.
What do you *see* when you look around?
See also:
Gratitude Journal: 30 Days To Happiness
The World Around You Is An Amazing Place – Take Time To See It
Don’t Wait Their Little Lives Away
Picture courtesy of: dolorix
Your Life | Live it. Love it. is a book designed to encourage you to examine where you are right now and inspire you to get to where you ultimately want to be.
Oh Sherri! You don’t know what that has done for me! I am struggling this week and needed this…thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Chele´s last blog ..Bona Fide Link Love
I think that what you see is beautiful, and you are truly blessed
Jay Schryer´s last blog ..Happy Birthday, Baby
@Chele – It makes me so happy to know that this little post worked wonders for you. I hope with a little change in perspective you can enjoy the rest of your week to the fullest.
@Jay – Thank you Jay that’s very sweet. It is pretty special and I’m in no rush to tidy it up
Love this post! It’s a great reminder that we can look at the world — and any situation — however we want to. If we want to see the bad, we will. If we want to see the good, we will. So look for the positive!
Positively Present´s last blog ..want to be happier? stop avoiding unhappiness
@ Positively Present – Exactly!! Look for the positive and that’s what you’ll see. I’m glad you liked this little post
Love your perspective on this. I too see mess when I look around. I think of what an awesome summer we’ve had and how I’m really not sorry that I let things go. Things can be put back. Time with the littles can’t.
Jill´s last blog ..Back to school
@ Jill – That is just so beautifully said! “Things can be put back. Time with the littles can’t.” Beautiful! Thank you!
Okay, reminders about life like this one is why I read your blog. THANK YOU!! Love this one. Abbie
@ Abbie – Thank you so much that’s very kind of you! I’m glad you liked it
Have a great day/evening.
What a great perspective, Sherri, I really appreciate this post.
I’m training myself to recognize “should” as a red flag when I say it; it means my preconceptions are showing.
But I don’t always verbalize my “shoulds,” and so they slip under the radar.
Next time I see a mess I’ve made, I’m going to take a page from your book and look at it as the good things it is evidence for.
Thanks!
David Cain´s last blog ..Beer and Coffee: My Problem Children, Put to Bed at Last
@ David – That’s great David I’m glad you appreciate it! I’m starting to do the same thing when it comes to the “shoulds” of life as soon as the word leaves my mouth I think yes but why “should” it be a certain way? Who says? It just is. Getting hung up on how you think a scenario should play out only makes you really unhappy.
Thanks for stopping by
I see a 1/2 glass of orange juice, a blue sky, and in front of me, a lovely post.
I see something on your site that other women (and men) out there are wishing and hoping for. You make me tremendously happy for your ability to see what you see, as opposed to whining about the “mess” you have – which isn’t a mess a all, but a life filled with love.
Peace (and happy to see you!!),
Lori
Lori´s last blog ..Your Body is a Fortress, Part 1
I see too much to type it all…will get too tired;)…but your post has given me a sense of..”I am not alone in my UNMESS”..:)
Its so nice that you can see the positivity in the situation…I have gotta start learning to see like you:)
As you said..things can be put away later…but time once gone with our little ones never comes back.
Zeenat {Positive Provocations}´s last blog ..Want to be healthier?Learn To ENJOY more.
@ Lori – Welcome! Good to see you as well
Don’t get me wrong I still do have days where I whine about the mess but yesterday morning for some reason I just *saw* it differently. It was a really lovely feeling.
@ Zeenat – lol You certainly aren’t alone. It doesn’t happen all the time but when it does, seeing things in a more positive light (even a mess) can really set a great tone for the day!
Sherri,
Life is all about how we choose to see it. And it is our choice to make. Thanks for the perspective, especially in such a challenging world!
Peter
Peter Mis´s last blog ..Someone Once Said…#10
Thank you for a truly lovely post, Sherri!
@Peter – Welcome! I’m glad you liked the article. Everything in life is a choice including our perspective on situations. Thanks for your comment.
@Mary – Hi Mary thank you for the lovely message I’m really glad you enjoyed this one.
I have such a hard time getting past the mess, so I thank you for this. It seems that there are always dishes in the sink or on the counters. I am going to try to view this differently. Dirty dishes means that I have taken the time to cook something to nourish my family and that playing after eating is more fun and memorable than soap and a sponge.
turnitupmom´s last blog ..August is Time to Freeze