When I think about the “Big Picture,” I usually imagine a large picture window, clean, clear, and offering a wide, unobstructed view of the outdoors.
I’m a very visual person. When I was learning how to knit, written instructions were useless to me, and even the pictures that accompanied the directions left me frustrated. It wasn’t until I watched a video on the knitting and purling process that I finally understood where the yarn was supposed to go in relation to the knitting needles. I finally got the big picture of how to knit, you might say.
When I was frustrated with potty training my children (one of my least favorite things to do!) one of my friends reminded me that my kids would get it, eventually. “They won’t be wearing diapers to college!” she said. And of course she was right. They were both out of diapers by the time they went to preschool.
Sometimes it’s so hard to look at that big picture. Those little details sure do block the view.
The other day I told Ed that I just don’t feel like I’m doing anything with my life. That feeling isn’t new. I don’t really know how I have time to feel this way. I’m very busy mothering, volunteering and teaching. I even joined a gym and have actually been “working out.”
When my daughters are in college, will I wonder if I did anything with my life? I’ll look back, and I’ll remember all the homework I helped Lily with and the piano lessons I drove Emmy to; I’ll remember the concerts I attended and the way I tried to hide the joyful tears after my child’s performance. I’ll laugh over the agony of potty training and have difficulty cutting those apron strings.
The big picture window will be clear, and hopefully I’ll see that I did okay. And I’ll still be looking out that picture window to catch a glimpse of that even bigger picture….
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I know the feeling well and got to admit I never thought my girls would be potty trained let alone have Emma (with Lily close on her heels) in school full time and yet here we are. And like you, too, I wonder if I will look back in a few years only to be amazed at how far
We even came from this point, as well! 😉
Janine Huldie recently posted…ArtSee Crafts for Kids to Make & Ship
Lovely post and well said. In the moment it is so easy to loose sight of the big picture. I remember walking the floors with my girls when they babies and thinking that would never end and now, what seems like just a heartbeat later, my girls are all grown up and my arms are empty.
This Busy Life recently posted…Inspirational Sailing Quotes
Most of us just carry the stones or bring the water to those that build the pyramids but our worth and contribution is no less. So we are not all out being Mother Tereasa or president of some country. Be pretty hard to have food without the efforts of all the field workers. I know you know this. This is just a reminder from a blogger friend. Blessings on your week!
Janice recently posted…Skywatch Friday
I’m very visual too. I have trouble with IKEA and other instruction manuals very much. I need videos!!
I think I look too much at the big picture, without thinking about the details that put it together. My mind is often spinning way into the future without stopping to enjoy or deal with the current pieces!
Tamara recently posted…Dancing With Myself – And a Frozen Giveaway!