Today, I was in the airport on my way back from a conference in Las Vegas and I went to a store in the airport to get a smoothie. I really like smoothies and have a really good recipe that Rachelle and I came up with but that is another story. In this smoothie store was a sign that read:
If it isn’t fun, why do it?
As I read that sign, I decided that it may have been one of the most profoundly stupid things I had ever heard. As I was waiting for my smoothie to blend, I sat there and pondered all of the things that were not fun but were definitely “worth it”. Some of the ones I thought of were:
- Exercising regularly (at least I assume this is worth it since I don’t really do it)
- Getting a root canal when you need one. (Again, I have to assume on this one)
- Have ANY kind of surgery when you really need it. (I have been a witness to this one so I at least know it is accurate)
- Repairing your car (Have had to do this many times and it is painful but better than walking)
- Learning to do math (Riley is currently going through this one and I keep trying to tell him it will one day be worth it.)
And one of most important not-fun-but-worth-it things is raising kids. I had been at the conference for about four days and I was really missing Rachelle and the kids. It is times like that when you can look and see that it really is worth it. Most of the time, a mom or a dad like Rachelle or me is just trying to get by from day to day and keep from going insane. However, when you can step back and see how wonderful your kids are and how wonderful it is to have kids, you realize that it is all worth it.
A little later I started thinking that maybe the sign in the smoothie shop was actually meant to make me think of all the things that ARE worth it even though they are not fun. If so, it was effective because I started thinking about how I really appreciate many of the difficult things I have gone through because of what I have learned from them. I think I will give them the benefit of the doubt and say that their true intention was to make me a better person and not to suggest that I simply should be buying more sugar-filled smoothies (because they are fun) instead of eating healthy and bad tasting food (because it is not fun).
Now, I did say that I am planning on having a video, and I really will just as soon as I can find time to stop having so much fun with my cute but runny-nosed babies.
8 comments:
That's really something to stop and think about. There are times that I get tired of being home all day with the kids, tired of not having ME time, but in the end- it's totally worth it.
Can't wait to see pics of the kids! Has Riley had TAKS yet? My daughter has been stressing over it.
Great post. I agree entirely, some of the best things in life require the most work and investment.
Thanks for the thoughtful post! Something to mull over the rest of the day after having yelled at my kids a couple times this morning already. Glad to see you're still surviving and hanging in there.
35 days of intense radiation and chemo, diffinately not fun and I sure hope it's worth it or more importantly that it works! I think your 7 kids are so much fun and totally worth it! I have missed not being able to come and help out. You guys are doing a terrific job but I know it's exhausting and when 5 little ones all get sick at once, well, your right it's enough to make you feel a little crazy. We love you all and prayer for you daily.
Great post Jayson. I hope you can enjoy your time in Vegas. I can't wait to see your videos.
Jayson, thank you for your insights and perspective. This morning I watched my daughter cross the finish line of the Salt Lake Marathon. As I stood there for about 45 minutes waiting for her I observed (and cheered for)a lot people, old and young, whose faces reflected deep pain, fatigue, determination and triumph. We don't do any favors for our children by making things easy or "fun" all the time. Real self-esteem does not come from being told you are smart or pretty or worthwhile. We help children have a genuine sense of self-esteem by allowing them to have hard and difficult things to accomplish and by helping them use effective tools to accomplish those worthwhile goals. Then when we stand there cheering them at the finish line we know that we, and they, have tasted genuine success. Why do anything that is not fun? What a sad question!
Hey! I remember staying up nights with a little sick boy and thnking it wasn't much fun, but that same little boy could recite the pledge of Allegiance when he was two years old. He thought it was one big word. It was so funny and cute, and made me laugh my head off. I wouldn't trade any of those memories the good or the bad or you.
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