Yesterday my girlfriend Kylie and I went to the zoo. I should say we tried to go to the zoo, because the dorks that we are, we showed up literally two minutes before it closed! Can you saw zoo-newbies?! Anyway, it was beautiful out so we wanted to still be able to walk around with our boys, so we drove to a really nice neighborhood by our homes to go on a walk {we live about 4 minutes apart from each other, and this neighborhood is about 4 minutes the opposite direction}. This neighborhood is full of insanely beautiful homes. Magazine worthy homes. Award winning homes. I mean, they are better than the freaking perfect home from the classic Father of the Bride movie {and its hard to top that beauty!}
We strolled along for about an hour admiring each and every one that we passed. Talked about the architecture and the land, admired little details here and there. It also helped that it was a perfect temp out, and the sun was about to set. Needless to say, I got envious. I started to imagine J and I living in these homes, this area, this lifestyle. I pictured little Bray running out in to the massive, perfectly landscaped, frontyard and giggling. All these thoughts at first were just sweet and day dreamy, but then they changed. I all of a sudden started to not only get envious of the people that live there now, but also a little sad that we probably never will. Sad that Bray won’t have an acre plus to run around on, or the perfect mansion to play hide and go seek in. And then I came home, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt so much conviction for feeling that way. For even just one second thinking that what we have isn’t good enough, for us, or for Bray. Our home is perfect for us, and our next home will be as well. Wherever we decide to move (if we ever decide to move at all), I’m sure we’ll be content there. We’ll look at neighborhoods like Paramount (https://meridianidhouses.com/paramount-living-discovery/ for those who’d also like to take a look) that I’ve heard are family-friendly and perfect for the life we want to lead. Nothing too overpriced or luxurious, just nice little houses with people around for us to form neighborly relationships with and help each other out. And you know what, even if we don’t get a ‘next home’, I need/should/want to be ok with whatever it is that we have. Because the truth is, we have each other, we have family and friends, and we have the Lord.
When did that stop being enough sometimes?
Do you ever feel this way? Totally happy and content with what you have, and then you see something ‘better’ and you are envious? I think especially going in to this holiday season we can all work on appreciating exactly where we are. Being thankful for all that we have in life.
Yes! I have too felt that way – My aunt said to me: “You are right where you need to be.” Don’t forget you are growing and changing right along with your baby boy, be gentle with yourself!
So true Angie! Thank you!! We all need to be gentle with ourselves;)
Wow, too funny. I had just finished doing my Bible study for today and it was
Pro 14:30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
Then I clicked over to your site and read what you wrote. I think God is trying to say something to me….
K-Rae! Haha that’s awesome when He does things like that!!
Too odd that you just posted this. I just went through the same thing thinking of our house! I have a 4 month old and all I can think of is a bigger house for her and our growing family…I had that Veruca Salt “I want it now” fever…
I, too, took a step back. We love this home, our first home, it is perfect for us and I cannot let myself forget that! Thanks for sharing, makes me feel better that I am not the only one!! 🙂
I’m sure you and I aren’t the only ones:) it’s too easy to look “ahead” and not just “be”. Something I am for sure going to work on, ESP this season in life!
I rarely comment on blog posts, but this one is really good and so appropriate for the season.
I think we all feel this way sometimes, but we have to remember that everything is not always as it appears inside the picture (e.g., of the big house with large yard, etc.) as it looks from the outside.
I used to have a job title in which I made a lot of money and that impressed a certain type of person, but I had no free time, was very unhealthy physically and emotionally and really unhappy. I now work much less, make less, and those same impressed people look at me and think “what happened to her”. I am also happier than I’ve been in 15+ years, enjoy having free time, appreciate the life the work I do enables me to have and am far healthier in all respects. The picture of this life may not inspire envy, but it fits me so much better than the life that may have looked “impressive” to others.
Kristin,
Thank you for commenting! I couldn’t be happier for you that you are now exactly where you should be! So glad that you realized your health and life is way more important than any title or pay check. I think we all need a reminder of this every now and then! Enjoy the holiday season:)
“Comparison is the thief of joy”
I often have to remind myself that.
I honestly have never heard that, I love it!
Everyone can feel that way from time to time. We live in a pretty fancy neighborhood. In fact, we are 3 houses down from homes with ocean views. All we see are the houses. 🙂 I feel lucky that we have no view, otherwise, we would never have this house. haha. Anyway, just lately I have been really happy and grateful for where I am at. Thanks for asking!
So happy that not only are you content, but your happy!! And even just being near an ocean…that’s amazing!
Best. Post. Ever!
Thanks kristi:)
You know, I look at you, you are beautiful physically (perfect body and naturally pretty)you have a very handsome strong looking husband who is smart and hardworking, you work together and make your home (this one and your future home I am sure) absolutely charming and beautiful. You have a large and extended family that seems very supportive and loving and most of all you two seem so very, very much in love. Not all couples are that way you know, they should be, but they are not. To me YOU have IT ALL! Honestly, you have DREAM life. I Know you know this and I know you appreciate it . . .but really this post is a bit funny me (in a nice way) as it puts it all in perspective. I LOVE your blog, I don’t really know you, but I feel like I know you a little, via the Internet yet sometimes I see your beautiful photos and read about your life full of so much joy and support and I feel a tad envious myself! I keep it check, just like you did/do, but still it creeps in everynow and then.
As I say, it is strange to me that YOU would envy ANYONE . .but it also makes me feel better that you can feel envy also, and that it is all relative. Bet those people in the picture perfect mansions feel envy about something on some occasions also.
Louise
Is it ok to comment a year late? Those feelings are a crappy part of human nature, that’s all. You feel the feeling, acknowledge it and if you have the energy you can mull it over. You did a fantastic job of working that all out for yourself. I, by the way, have the perfect antidote for house envy – just go clean (or even look at) someone’s dirty house. It will make your own seem so pleasant.
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