Thursday, September 22, 2011

what you see is what you get



I wrote this post months ago.  I read it often but for some reason I have never published it.  




My grandma mailed me a letter my freshman year of college and attached a devotional.  Today as I hold the letter and devotional in my hand I see it is tattered and old from me looking at it and reading it so often.  There is a hole in the paper that was once a tear drop.  My grandma's letter has helped me though many rough days.  I wish I could photograph it, but the ink as faded into a pale purple.  The devotional was torn from a leaflet my grandma got at a Wednesday afternoon tea she attended with her church lady friends.  She called it 'Circle time.'  She was so good about writing me when I was so far away from home.  She new her words and things she sent meant so much to me.

My writing below is an adaptation of the devotional and things my grandma and I jotted down next to the printed words.



More than likely you aren't gonna be perfect, so don't try to be.  You must must must be your own best friend. Period.  This is not up for debate...love yourself.


Sometimes you have to leave things undone.  There is just no way you can do it all.

Don't try to be all things to all people.




It is quite alright to be boring and untidy once in awhile.




Learn to Say no often.
Along with saying no, learn to not spread yourself too thin.



Time alone all alone by yourself is a good thing.
It is perfectly okay to kick back, relax and do nothing regularly.



Don't ever let yourself feel guilty for any of the above actions.



What you see is what you get from this blog writer, picture taker and recipe poster. 

Sadly, I think too many people care what others think about them on a day to day basis.  Doing so makes life harder.  Trying to please other people all the time just never works.  It is exhausting.   My grandma ALWAYS helped me to remember who the most important person was in my life....myself and of course God.  

And now my family of four.


I realize that it is okay to rest and relax.  It is okay to say no to baking a dozen cupcakes for that school fundraiser.  It is okay if a friend swings by the house and there is a load of laundry on the chair.  We must remember we are not all perfect and we aren't supposed to be.

9 comments:

SaraJk said...

Thank you for sharing this! I printed it and put it on my bulletin board :)

Amber said...

I love this! Your grandma sounds like a smart woman :)

Lyryn said...

Very awesome! So sweet!

Red Stethoscope said...

Great message...so true.

Anonymous said...

Love this.

I wish I knew how to say no. I just don't.

The Howell's said...

LOVE it! I need to print this out. I don't always say no when I should, and I never want anyone seeing my house not 'perfect'.

LeAnna said...

Thank you so much for posting this. Some days I feel like the "sloppy one" for feeling like this. Like I should TRY to always have it together. I grew up in an UBER perfectionist home, and it's almost like I feel guilty for not being that way. But, I just can't. It's not me. We don't live in filth, but we most certainly live...I think your Grandma was very, very wise. And we would all be better served to take her advice.

Aly @ Analyze This said...

Needed to read this! And I never properly thanked you - for your support and kind words and caring self after that "thing" a few months ago. I never can repay you for your kindness. You help me remember that I am me for a reason and no one can change me. Ever.

I will never forget all the fun we had in Dallas but more importantly for your friendship! Thanks, Ang!

Perfectly Imperfect said...

I LOVE this. I'm the same way as you. I'm just me. I struggled with this a lot in college and right after, but am now okay with who I am. I only hope I can raise the little one to be the same way.