Big Picture

Evening fellow MFPer's.

I am going to start by apologising deeply for the length of this post, but I felt it needed to be shared!

I returned to work today, after two weeks on leave, and as part of my role involves 24 hour shifts with young people, I was dreading it. I am obliged to eat with them at dinnertime, regardless of the menu. However, despite this fact I managed to get through the day without going over my calorie count. This was no mean feat, especially not when you consider THE DRAWER...

Now, let me tell you about THE DRAWER.

It seems that in my absence, someone thought it would be a good idea to create a 'staff only' treats drawer in the office. A drawer that to any chocoholic would be like walking through heaven's doors. A drawer that is actually so full of treats that it can barely close. A drawer, that just so happens, is in the desk I had to sit at all day.

By 6pm I was literally sitting on my own hands to stop myself from gorging, especially as the other staff (who are all petite, tiny midgets) were stuffing their faces in a joy that bordered pure hysteria.

I logged my food count at 10pm. I had done it!


At 11pm I relogged it after eating half a twix and two chocolate biscuits. FAIL!

I then spent the next hour beating myself up about being weak, until I checked my email and found this message from a friend who has just found out her mum has cancer. (It was not written by her mum, but sent to her as an encouragement). This helped me to put my FAIL into perspective and realise that it matters not, because (praise God) tomorrow I will wake up and open my eyes to another day and another chance to try again. And, tomorrow, after realising how precious that chance is, I will try a little harder....

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted
to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you’s
More 'I'm sorrys

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it .... live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!