When we teach someone something, we are really teaching ourselves. I found this out when I taught a high school photography class with very little training myself. I learned so much more from teaching that class than I ever did as a student! In many ways it enabled me to DO. This isn't always the case, but for ME, it usually is.
I was talking to Curtis about my blog the other day and saying that before I write about being thankful all the time, I need to start being thankful all the time and practicing what I preach. He reminded me that it actually usually works the other way around. Not always, but often times for me, this IS the case.
When I challenge others to do something and get into the practice of trying to inspire others, I often inspire myself in the process and it can be a beautiful thing. Have you ever experienced this? You are challenged to lead a study group and you end up getting way more out of it than the people that you are teaching.
The past few weeks with a new baby have been hard. She is the most beautiful gift I have ever received, yet it is very difficult to figure out what she needs sometimes and to be certain that what I am giving her is the right thing, usually it has to do with feeding.
But if I take a step back and remember where I was at just a year ago. Three years into the infertility journey, wondering if I would ever have the privilege of mothering a baby, let alone, birthing our baby girl! I had no idea! When I remember that, it is amazing the peace that settles over me. Often this happens when she is finally sleeping and I actually have a moment of peace to reflect.. But HEY! It happens and the more I practice it, the more it will happen.
In the past I set the bar high on challenges to be grateful, but this time I am bringing it back to the basics. 10 things every day. That's all, 10 simple every day things that I am grateful for. I have a cute little notepad to write them in and I'm starting over.
If you're with me, that's great, if not, that's okay too. I just need this so bad right now. The reminder that everyday there are things to be grateful for, I just need to keep my eyes open to them. It's not wrong to struggle through the tough stuff, but it's so helpful to remind myself through it all that there is so much beauty in life.
