Where There's a Will There's a Way
Parenting is full of rough waters, but for me one of the most emotionally challenging things to navigate is the pull between financial stress and family fun. My heart sinks to my feet when I have to say "no" because the bank account is weighing heavy on my shoulders. This week is one of those times. Some unexpected and large bills crossed the desk this winter and things are feeling tighter than they have in a while.
A family member generously offered us a slope side condo this February vacation. My gratitude is overflowing, but ski ticket prices hit $100 for an adult and $70 for a child. It doesn't take a mathematician to calculate what that looks like for a family.
First thoughts look like this
(there are many more! here's three):
I hate not having enough.
We should just stay home.
I am failing my children, by not providing them with enough resources to be able to say "YES" to simple things like skiing.
Second thoughts look like this
(there are many more! here's three):
We will have so much fun escaping for a few nights, how lucky are we to be gifted this retreat?
When day skiing proves to pricey, night skiing is the perfect compromise.
I wonder what other adventures we will encounter when we count our change for gas money, and hit the road for a little freedom.
Truth: we can't control our first thoughts,
we can ALWAYS control our second thoughts!
and THE second thoughts are the ones that control our lives.
Here's how I do the work:
Thought
Question
Action
Thought (choosing one from above):
-I am failing my children, by not providing them with enough resources to be able to say "YES" to simple things like skiing.
Who does this thought belong to?
-Society. I am latching onto this thought from bombardment of media and marketing that tells me I need to have and do more things to be a better person.
What purpose does this thought serve?
-None. It stops me dead in my tracks and asks me to retreat from living the beautiful life I've been gifted.
When am I ready to release this thought?
-NOW
Where do I need to put this thought next?
-In the trash. Outer Space. Buried in Mother Earth. In other words- far far away!
Why am I giving this thought power?
-It's easier to think the first thought, than to do the work of creating a second one.
How can my WHY and or purpose lead me to my next action?
-My WHY is FREEDOM. Feeling trapped in the cage of self-pity, guilt, and frustration is no way to live FREE. FREEDOM is asking me to think bigger than the problem and create a solution. FREEDOM is asking me to live in gratitude and think creatively. FREEDOM is asking me to problem solve!
BAM! Game Changed!
