This past week, I have been doing a bit of organizing. I am not organizing just to be organized but I have a "purpose" for all this{I talk about this more tomorrow}. So I was down in my storage room and came across this...It's a book from my husband's grandma. It was first published 1884 and this copy is from 1923. I opened it to May 23 rd and this is what I read...
Be Content With such Things as ye Have.
If we wish to gain contentment, we might try such rules as these--
1. Allow thyself to complain of nothing-not even the weather
2. Never picture thyself to thyself under any circumstances which thou art not
3. Never compare thine own lot with that of another
4. Never allow thyself to dwell on the wish that this or that had been or were otherwise than it was or is. God Almighty loves thee better and more wisely than thou dost thyself
5. Never dwell on the morrow.-it's God's not thine
Wow...I don't know about you but I fail all five { Maybe not all at the same time}. This Thursday Thankful I want to be content in what I have and where God has placed me. I am going to throw something out here...
{Do you any of you ever struggle with this???}
Blogging has enriched my life, however, there is a small aspect that as I visit and read blogs. I see all these great projects, room designs, cooking etc.. etc... That I want to do them...or I look at my house and say "yuck" wanting to run to Home Goods or Hobby Lobby right now. Then the spirit of Thankfulness goes right out the door and I want!
Yes, this year I will do projects{I enjoy them} but I am trying to look around in what I already have and "work" with that and be THANKFUL!
52 comments:
This is a geat post! I have issues with each of those. Especially dwelling on tomorrow. I am the world's worst for saying things like "well... in 6 months or 1 year this will be done." I step and realize that I am just wishing my life away.
It's amazing that after all these years it is still so true. It's hard not to want things. As I get older it is getting easier to find a little contentment. Mimi
Thank you so much for posting this! It is amazing how these things can create issues. I of course want to do everything and want to have a cute house without mess. Ha-Ha!
Got to live in the here and now. I can't take it with me when I leave this earth anyway. I just want to dreat a cozy and warm home full of love that friends enjoy coming to visit. I hope they stay awhile and are blessed.
Blessings,
Jody
It is amazing how these things still hold true!
Thanks for sharing with us.
Frannycakes
oh...i feel your angst...i don't want my blogging to become a one up...or a better than competition...
working...and still trying to blog is hard...i cant keep up!
what wonderful reminders...
being thankful is so important.
we all have so much to bring to each other's lives...
i'm thankful for your kindness in my life. :)
xo
What a neat book to have, and the advice is still true. I get a little "green" when I see things on some blogs also.
Awesome post, my friend, and I love that book!
Yes, you had better believe that I struggle, too, with each and every point. Remember...we're only human and I know that GOD understands that...thank goodness! What matters is that we do recognize those times when we fall short and, somehow, our eyes are opened to all that we've been blessed with. The workings of GOD in our lives, perhaps? ♥
Oh, you hit the nail on the head with me. I feel the same way you do about looking at others' blogs and then wanting to do it all. Thank you for reminding me to be thankful for what I have.
AMEN! I stand with you on your thoughts. What a great book and such wisdom. I too, get caught up what others are doing on their blog. I am trying to focus on prioritizing; in MY life. What is the best for me right now? And focus on that rather than wanting and "thinking" I need something that I really don't.
History continues to repeat itself...it is so easy to get caught up in the I wants. I do feel I have become more content the older I have gotten.
wow
i needed this right now
more than you think
I am right there with you, chick! This was a great post!!! I love that book! I wonder if you can still get reprints? Let me know if you are aware of it!
Hugs,
Susan
Heck yeah, I deal with these things too! I think though that I have become better at catching myself when I begin to think unthankful thoughts. It all comes with age.
What a wonderful book. I too fail at all 5 and luckily not usually at one time either!!!!
Great post
Love and needed that! I need to print that out.
Great post and I struggle with the same things! Am hoping to get more organized and decluttering from seeing others' efforts, but that hasn't happened yet!
Have a great Thursday!
Janet
I think most people fail those but those are excellent reminders about being thankful and content. My Mom always says someone has it way worse than you so stop crying and be thankful. I try to be a really positive person but wow...I need some work. Thanks for that. I really enjoyed it.
These are great, thanks!!!
Great post. I know that I have issues with all of those. I have a lot to work on huh?!
Absolutely. Great post. This is why I am sorting through all my stuff.. working with what I have... be in the now and try not to long. Love your THANKFUL THURSDAY!
:O)
LuLu
Great post, and very timely. I, too, start looking around my home after seeing some of the creative genius floating around blogville.
But then I look around again, amd see four healthy faces looking back, a cozy home, and remember how lucky I am.
Thanks for your wise words, and your kind comments when you visit my blog. Yours is a wonderful place...
Cheers,
Linda
Amen
This is such a wonderful post! I think anyone who is human would have problems sticking to all of those suggestions (even though they are all wonderful suggestions.) I know I do! It is good to remember to be inspired by others, but also to be content with what we have and what our gifts are.
Great reminder!
Great post Sandy as usuall. Its always important to consider daily all we have to be thankful for. Thats why I do thankful thursdays. Stop by and check it out!
Love and Prayers,
Tim
I'm with you. We need to just stop and be thankful for what we have. Those are some very wise, time-tested words. Isn't it amazing that what was so relevant in 1923 is still relevant in 2009. I love that.
I love this, Sandy, and those are some good life suggestions. It really speaks to what St. Paul wrote about being "content in all things." :-)
I try to rejoice for the things that others have, and I am looking forward to the real prize that lies ahead... with the Lord in our heavenly homes about which "eye hath not seen nor ear heard" the wonders God has laid up for us. :-) Yea! This earthly existence with its "trends in decorating, dressing, and other flavors of the month" are going to pale in comparison to God's ulitmate plan. I try to dwell on the wonder of that. It's pretty awesome, isn't it? :-)
XO,
Sheila :-)
I think we all get caught up in the comparing ourselves as women. But I have learned to honor my might, mind and strengths. I just can't keep up with it all or if I try to, my family suffers. I get cranky. Nuff said.
Good thought Sandy.
There's a lot of wisdom in this book. Thanks for sharing a bit about it. :)
Thank you for sharing this! What a neat old treasure this book is! and the words you included SO TRUE! One hundred years ago, today and forever.
Great book, what a treasure to have found it. I will be looking forward to more from this book of wisdom.
Fabulous post!!! I would say that complaining is the one I deal with from time to time. I've gotten much better...it's usually about someone and not something. That's where patience comes in, too. ;-)
Oh great post! i've STOPPED the shopping like i used to do - and it has really helped. it also makes my message more real on my blog, to use what i have and be content. not that i don't occ go out ... Lol.
"Never picture thyself to thyself under any circumstances which thou art not"
Not sure I agree with that one. What if you are in a bad situation, ya know? We have to keep HOPE in the picture :)
Happy Thurs!
Wonderful rules for being content...a list that was good yesterday...is good today...and will be good tomorrow! Thanks for sharing...and thanks for your visit this morning.
This is wonderful! I really believe we could learn a lot from past generations. Thanks for posting this. It is definitely a reminder to me. By the way, are those your perfectly painted toes in the sand on your profile picture?
This must be SOME book--I did some poking around and it has been reprinted many times; the newest printing is available on Amazon. (Which I will put on my wish list!) Clearly we all, through the generations, struggle with all of them. [Btw, I interpret #3 as "don't pretend to be someone you're not."]
The picture on the front of your book gives us the answer to how to achieve these things!
God always gives us reminders in unique and personal ways--via your grandma-in-law's special book and now to us through cyberspace!Thanks for sharing. I can never be reminded enough :)
I am going to print those out as a daily reminder.....I need to be more thankful for what we already have and stop focusing on what we don't have.......great post:)
Lisa
Hi Sandy Toes!!! I'm so glad you stopped by because now I found you! Yes Yes Yes; blogging is a great entertainment but I am finding I'm almost? ready to give up because I get so overwhelmed with all the ideas I WANT too!!! I see one thing and then another and am inspired then confused then frustrated, etc!!! Very funny I'm not the only bloggie to feel this; so thanks for making me feel less nutty!!! Hope you visit again - Sincerely, Jeannette BTW I love your blog design!!!
My mom used to tell me not to wish my life away. I still do that sometimes thinking that the future will solve all my problems etc. But I heard a great quote recently that put it in perspective. If you collect too many tomorrows, you will end up with a bunch of empty yesterdays. hmmm.
Good for you! Thank you so much for stopping by and for commenting. I look forward to following you. ~Mindy
I think I needed that little reminder today. LIVE IN THE PRESENT, it's much happier than the past and less fretful than the future. Thanks for the reminder and for checking out my blog!
Oooh, I want that book! I love "Streams in the Desert" as a daily devotional, but it's more for those in desperate situations. Your book sounds like just basic, day to day wisdom that somehow went OUT the window in the .. .what? 50's? 60's? At what point did we start wanting so much more than we need, and when did the commercials all start sounding the same.. "You DESERVE (fill in the blank)"?
One thing I can say for sure is that, as I have bought THINGS to fill the void in my life, it has gotten darn near impossible to create peace in my home. As I am getting rid of the things, the peace is returning....
amen. i am an awful "wanter: - i have so much to be thankful more buit still want more and am ashamed that i don't ever feel quite content in the moment. i struggle!
I love your post! I think I need to copy it and hang it up somewhere! Thanks for sharing it with us!
-Kim
Such a good point! It is so important to be thankful for what God has given us. Thank you for sharing this blessing today!
Thank you so much for visiting my Blog today & Laughing with me.
Come back anytime.
I can relate, Sandy Toes!! Sometimes I get overwhelmed that there are so many ideas in my ideas file that I might as well just give up trying to keep up. Those words are very wise...I need to remember them!
Carrie
Very good "rules" to remember!
What an excellent post! A great reminder to keep it all "in check". Thanks for your comments on the garland! :)
It's nice to see a "real" post. I visit some blogs that make people's life seem so picture perfect. I can't help but wish that my own family and surroundings were as wonderful and upbeat. I struggle with procrastination and desires of every type. But.. one thing I always am is thankful, that's why I wanted to write this comment in the first place. Thank-you so much.
Great post! Uh...yep! I totally struggle with some of these too! As I look at how bad the economy is and how so many people are losing their jobs, their homes, their cars and God only knows what else, it makes me more aware of being thankful and not asking/wanting for anything here lately. I am just more thankful for what I HAVE! LOVED THIS!!!
What great wisdom from the 1800s! I'm sure that if we lived by these 5 rules, we would be at such peace. I'm going to copy these and make them a daily habit. Thanks!
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