When I was growing up, and being dramatic about something (which happened pretty frequently, and you know you’re not surprised), my mom would tell always tell me the same thing: choose truth. When I insisted that no one loved me or understood me, I was told to choose truth. When I insisted that nothing was right in whatever situation I was in, I was told to choose truth. When I just knew that my brothers were getting preferential treatment that I deserved, I was told to choose truth.
When I look back on the past couple weeks, I am inclined towards complaining, towards embracing the view that my life has been difficult and stressful lately. There has been too much reading, too much writing, too much grading, too many things that haven’t gotten done that I just keep ignoring because there is no energy or time to focus on them, and then they pile up and make me want to pull the covers over my head in the morning. I feel like these weeks have been so full of stuff I don’t like, that everything I do love has been pushed out.
But today I am choosing truth.
And the truth is that over the past couple weeks, punctuating the business and stress there have been some beautiful moments, some restful moments, some peaceful moments. There have been late evening picnics and long long bike rides through the city. Doors left open so the crisp breeze can come in and fresh apples at the market. Clouds painted pink and nails painted red. Fountains and slippers and benches and burgers.
There have been moments of blessing, exactly where I am.
Happy weekend. Be blessed where you stand.
The Art in Life 
What a lady! I think I’m going to be appropriating “choose truth” in my own parenting (with the two of us, I’m sure we’ll have some drama queens). It’s so much more powerful than a sarcastic “I’m sure your life is soooo hard”…not that that was my other option 🙂
http://www.anna-bird.com
It pretty much has the effect of shutting up the whining, or at least inducing guilt, both of which are acceptable outcomes. : )
Excited for your first little drama queen to make her appearance in just a couple months!
This is so true! What a great reminder. Thanks for this lovely post. And the wonderful quote.:-)
~Emily
http://www.theorangeslate.com
Isn’t Mary Oliver just the greatest? She does the best things ever with the most normal words.
Excellent! One of my favorite verses when I’m feeling anxious is Phil. 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true…think on these things.” This stops me from worrying about things that might happen or things I cannot control.
I love that one!!
Excellent! A good motto to have.
I kind of want to plaster it across my walls.
I love this. Thanks for the reminder.
You’re welcome! Glad it was pertinent to someone else too!
Thank you for this reminder!
Any time! : )
And when all else fails, there’s Jack Bauer.
ALWAYS. TRUTH. Though I’m pretty sure mom could take him.
Wow, I really needed to hear this. Thanks for the reminder to “choose truth.” Love that.
It is the very best of advice. : )
Thanks for the reminder!
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So lovely, your mother is very smart! Thanks for this reminder.
I really like that phrase. Profound and simple. I feel like most things profound are said simply. Great article.
I will most definitely start using this phrase with my daughter and with myself! Thank you so much for that!!!
Also thank you for the reminder that there are blessings exactly where I am! Sometimes in all the busy-ness of life, I lose sight of that.
It has been a crazy month around here; full of school starting, many trips to the Dr (and a couple to the hospital), a husband sent out of town for work, behaviour challenges with the kids and plain old exhaustion. It is SO easy (and automatic, for me at least!) to look back and only see the crazy – so thank you for the Mary Oliver quote. It was a reminder that this month was also full of sidewalk chalk hopscotch, bike rides to school with the kids, cake, beach volleyball, campfire cooked hotdogs and laughter.
I love reading your blog – you are a wonderful writer and talented photographer. Thank you for sharing that.
I LOVED this! Choosing truth is something everyone should learn. Thank you for writing this!