Picture Perfect

You know when you look at a picture of a family or couple and they look so happy, and you tend to think about their circumstances and life based on the picture you are looking at. It hit me last night when watching a couple take pictures and look so utterly happy, when I know how miserable they both are. It made me rethink all those assumptions I have made about others, and their apparent happiness. I am a person who likes to compare oneself to others, and when I see what I think is contentment and peace it makes me think that I am doing something wrong, because I don't always have that. I become jealous and start determining where I went wrong with my choices and my behavior that has deterred me from having that type of happiness. Then in a moment it hit me, that perception is not always reality. Ok so it seems like that is a natural thought, but when you are fighting with yourself about your imperfections, rationale is the last thing that you have.
So what I have started doing is instead of attempting to eliminate my inclination to compare, though this will be a future goal, I started a mantra of all the good I do have...I have a great house, I have a great job, I have great kids, I have a great husband, I have a great friend group, I have food to eat, I have...this provides clarity, it gives me perspective, and it gives me contentment. Isn't that what it is about?
I do believe I'm blessed, I know those blessings come from God. And those blessings are my contentment. That is not to say that I can't have days where I pout and wish some things were different, but I don't allow myself to stay in that place nor give those thoughts too much power.

Realize my beloveds, that you have everything you need to be content, the only thing that blocks this is selfishness and greed. Those things are not of God, and will never give you peace as long as you allow them in your life. On the hard days, list the things in your life that you do have, even if it isn't exactly what you want. Give yourself perspective, and hopefully you will regain your peace~