Getting Over Pain

For so many years, I always thought the best way to deal with pain was to talk it out.  My most frustrating moments with pain would be when my husband would say something snarky and leave for work.  As a stay-at-home mom, I'd be left to have the words last spoken to me ruminate inside my mind leading to new, negative thoughts and questions eventually turning me into a hot, melted blob of a mess.  Everytime, I'd write out my feelings or thoughts and leave it on the table.  This, in turn led to my husband trying to figure out what to do next, as I boiled under my skin.  Every attempt on his part to try to console me made me even angrier, and I never got closure from any of it.  It would just have to dissipate and stay inside until something new bothered me later, and then, they could both be added together.  This same thing would happen over and over until I just couldn't contain my pain, anymore.  By the end of three months, or so, I would babble out my pain and frustration, trying to stay audible through the tears and snot.  He would listen, and I would feel like a horrible person for cutting him down.
I have recently learned the better way to take care of this situation, as it just happened a few days ago.  I wrote out my letter of frustration.  After serious thought, an hour later, I put the note away.  New thoughts crept in, and I wrote out a whole page of "pity party" questions and put it on the table.  I sat on the couch and cried.  I prayed for God to take this pain and hurt away and to bless my husband at his job.  I found comfort in my Bible, and crumpled up that stupid paper on the table and threw it in the trash.  My thoughts were: "What was I thinking?  How would I like to come home to a note of such hurtful words?  Doesn't my husband have enough drama at work?" 
I went to the couch, again and read more in a book that is helping me out, greatly "Making Love Last Forever".  By the time I went to bed, I had euphoric peace, and when I woke, my husband was touching my hand asking me if I wanted McDonald's for breakfast!  I couldn't believe how awesome this morning was!
So, from this one night, I learned the best way to get over the pain of hurtful words was to pray it out to God, and let it go.  It is easier said than done, but it's not impossible.
Thank you, God!

Simple, Right?

Over many years, I've found keeping life simple helps me enjoy it more.

~I only buy what is absolutely needed.  Only with agreement, do I spend extra.
~I cut out swearing, smoking and drinking.  Without these in my life, I don't stress as much.
~I only drive to where I need to get to.  This keeps me on time, and cuts down on gas consumption.
~I try to do something fun with my kids everyday.  They're my future, and I try to give them as much love as I can.  The more time I invest in them, the happier they will be.
~I only wear make-up on special occasions.  Being clean is much more important than being made-up.
~I give smiles, compliments and hugs as much as possible.  I am so full of love; I want everyone to have some.  :)
~I keep my mouth shut, if I feel an argument arises.  Why argue?  Eventually, it will all be over, anyway.  I'd rather be happy than right.
~I listen more than talk.  Listening gives me more understanding than to always be talking and letting foolish things spill out.
~I pray several times a day.  It's not ritualistic, and it's not the same thing.  I pray when urgency weighs on my heart and when I need help.  Prayer avails much!
~I am sympathetic, empathetic and sometimes pathetic.  I understand my way of life is not as others' lives are, and I'm o.k. with that.  I don't have anyone to live up to, except God.  He's my ultimate goal.
~I have no expectations.  This makes it much easier, for me.  I used to have expectations, and they were set too high.  No one, not even myself could live up to them.  I was filled with anxiety, and let down to depression.  Having no expectations makes everyday a joy and surprise.
~I take naps when I'm tired.  When I was younger, I thought I had to stay awake all day, no matter what I was doing or not doing.  Now, when I'm at home, and there's nothing going on, and I'm tired, I nap.  It makes me more refreshed and keeps me from getting frustrated from being too tired.
~I only use my phone or computer when necessary.  I used to use them quite a bit, and I was missing out on life.  My life is more about who's around me, my home and outdoors.  Outdoor activity is so important, to me.  Fresh air is very much needed along with sunshine.
~I won't tell bad dreams or nightmares, anymore.  I used to tell them, but I realized there's nothing good in them, so I stopped telling them.  What good does telling them do?  I do, however listen to my children's, so I can comfort them and let them know everything will be o.k.
~Bare feet.  I can't express how much I wish I could go around with bare feet, all the time.  I only wear socks and shoes when I have to.  My feet just feel so much better naked.
~Beauty starts from the inside.  I do believe that the personality and depths of a person's heart are what truly make them beautiful.  What people put on the outside is what they feel makes them worth more to others.
~Keeping an empty schedule makes life a bit more easier to work around.  I try not to make plans for anything.  The only things that are planned are work, school, extracurricular activities my kids take on and appointments.  Everything else is subject to change.  Many times, it's just a get up and go kinda deal.
~Church is very important in my life.  I believe church is the gathering of two or more people believing in the Gospel and coming together to worship and learn more about God.  I make sure to read as much inspirational books, my Bible and my Sunday school quarterly when I get the chance.  I listen to Christian music in my vehicles and pray throughout my day.  This brings a joy inside me that is inexplicable.

These are the ways I keep my life so simple.