Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Quote of the Month.....

On one particular day last month as I was trying to work the jiggles off my backside at the gym, I was eavesdropping on the twenty- something in front of me talking to her other twenty-something friend. No children, no boyfriends between them. Their conversations revolved around a shallow life of Botox and pedicures. Their was only a tone of displeasure and unhappiness as they voiced their complaints about what us girls would view as their perfect little bodies and too much time on their hands. I say too much time because I have never been there when they haven't been there. Maybe they have a room in the back. Who knows. Anyways, as I was treading, I thought about the two. I realized that I may have jiggles where they have never jiggled, but I have earned my jiggles. My jiggles come from 5 sweet babies, oh, and maybe a chocolate or two. My jiggles represent time spent outside the gym and cookies made for the kids, and shared. I stopped envying their tight buns and appreciated mine. I vowed right then and there that I would stop trying to have their buns and start using mine a little better. Exercise is very important, I know that, but... maybe I should take some of those mornings off and get my buns more often to the schools to help and to a friends to help. This sounded like a great action plan and I did put it to work. I love it. I am happy to be serving more and especially to be with my children in their classes. I do have to say that my buns are suffering a bit and that I need to find a good balance but I am trying to be better. That is our goal, right? Always a quest for self improvement. It is so easy to get consumed about things that shouldn't matter as much. Time is so precious and using it wisely is the most important thing we can do. I took a little too much time off at the gym and now need to get back a little more. Hmmmm.... how to balance. I will figure it out , but, I love this quote Miss. Molly sent me. It is what I want to be when I show up at the pearly gates.


"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schnek's lawn. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a Little dirt under my fingernails from helping weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

However.... is it possible to at least be in a cute mini cooper instead of the station wagon? Can we meet half way? I never did like station wagons.



5 comments:

Amy said...

I LOVE it! I heard that quote recently and have been looking for it! Thanks

S. Fillmore said...

The only time I thought you were "snobbish" was when I didn't know you. Please forgive me. Now, I admire you for your wonderful balance in life. Your beauty inside matches your outside. Be proud of your jiggles. I am!

M. Smith said...

Very nice post..great point of view and I love the quote!!
Have a great weekend :)

Anonymous said...

I sure wish more people in this culture we live in understood how important the balance between jiggles and too many jiggles is.
Your attitude about making sure you dont have too many jiggles inspires me. More people should realize the self esteem that comes from overcoming excess jiggles. Because self esteem is gained in part by conquering ones issues that are difficult.
On the other hand the quote is by Majorie Pay Hinckley and serving others may be the best way to overcome the world and gain self esteem. I am inspired to do both, thank you and by the way "snobbish" isn't a word that comes to mind when reflecting on your writings. Sincerely, one who is thankful that you are enlightening homemakers.

Anonymous said...

That was an inspiring post; thank you.