Thursday, July 30, 2009

Words To Live By

I got a new home decor catalog in the mail yesterday. The merchandise isn't really my style, but I paged through it anyway. They have lots of plaques and framed quotes that, I have to admit, I liked quite a bit.

The first one that caught my eye was a wood plaque with the saying "It Is What It Is" painted on it. My husband and I say this all the time. There are so many things in life that you can't control or change and sometimes it's all you can say. Our recent yard projects, for example, threw us a few curves we didn't expect. We had hoped to have everything done by now, but we don't. It is what it is and it will be complete eventually.

The other sign that spoke to me was a framed print with the words "Enjoy the little things in life...for one day you'll look back and realize they were the big things." How true. Of course the major events in life have a big impact; our wedding day and the days each of our children were born, for instance. But some of my favorite memories are of the little things. Things like spending an evening making pizzas on the grill with my family or sitting on the back porch steps after dark watching for shooting stars with my husband. Having my parents over for dinner and laughing at the same stories we've been telling for years. Watching my son's band perform at a local festival and reading the stories my daughter writes. Enjoying a glass of wine on vacation with my husband. Looking back, they really are the big things.

10 comments:

L.B. said...

It's always the unexpected things that make the longest-lasting impressions. For instance, we took a family trip on Labor Day weekend of 08 and we planned a trip to Sea World in San Diego. We went, and had fun, but the highlight of the weekend was our out-of-the-way stop we made at a beach in San Diego. It cost us nothing to go, wasn't an intended destination and really wasn't planned at all. But that was so much fun. I remember a lot of details about that beach stop, but the sea world trip is just a big mass of people when I think back it because it was so crowded.

And all of the little things that I go through with the girls - the laughs we share, the dishes we bake, the songs we all sing along to - those things are what I'll remember and cherish, and miss once the girls get older.

Little things are the big things. Definitely. Thanks for sharing that.

Unknown said...

Thank you for this post. I tend to be too anal and need to be reminded that "it is what it is". I don't have to be in control and yes, the little things are what count in the grand scheme of things.

Purple Flowers said...

Little things always mean the most. We just need to look back in our memory bank to confirm it.

Denise said...

So true. You cant change everything so accept things for what they are. I try so hard to appreciate my time with my kids because I know someday they wont want to hang out with mom, but for now all the little things we do are big things for me.

thamesarino said...

great post!
It is so true, it is the little things everyday that build up to make the fabric of our lives.
And as much as I'd like to rule the universe(or maybe not!), there is really so little that is actually in our power.... mostly just the way we choose to go through life, living all those tiny little moments! : )
Hope you have a good day! : )

Lissaloo said...

I love that, It is what it is, that is definitely one I need posted somewhere. I tend to get easily frustrated over things I can't control, or fix. Great post, thanks for always giving such uplifting words :)

ChristineM said...

I love both sayings and think of them often! Words to live by!

Clarity said...

Treasure the everyday as well the top days. I admire this reminder and think the second quote is best.

Thank you for sharing this.

Joanna Jenkins said...

Little things always work for me!
Thanks for sharing.
xo

Chicago Mom said...

I really like that saying!

We use one on our daughter: "you get what you get and you don't get upset" - I need to hear that said to ME once in awhile too. :)