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Lesson learned + I’m not dead yet!

click here to open post Sep 27, 2011 | posted in parenting, Personal | 7 comments

I’m still in love with Instagram. Find me. “Natalie Norton”

“I’m not dead yet!”

Not dead yet, but close.  Naw, just exhausted. In that completely exhilarating and inexplicable way that only a mother can understand. I love my kids SO MUCH, it’s dizzying. I’m working harder than I have ever worked (in my entire life). In fact, I spend a good amount of time wondering WHY and HOW I haven’t yet lost my marbles. It’s remarkable, really.

The more time I spend on the right things, the more energy I have for EVERYTHING in my life.

My kids INFUSE me! With all kinds of crazy? Yes! Naturally! BUT shockingly, they also give me the passion and enthusiasm to accomplish everything else that’s important in my life. It’s exciting. . . and miraculous. . . and overwhelming. . . and so.very.beautiful.

My heart is FILLED to the brim with gratitude for this important lesson learned.

N

PS. Running post coming TOMORROW. Cross my heart and hope I never, ever die. . . at least not YET. Har har har.
PPS. Tell me you’ve seen Monte Python, so I don’t seem like the very lunatic I just spent an entire post trying to convince you that I’m NOT.

7 comments | add comment
  • Kristen Buley: BRING OUT YE' DEAD!!! But, I feel HAAAAPY!.... September 28, 2011 2:55 am
  • April: What a wonderful message to read this morning. I feel like I am loosing my marbles most days but I am always grateful for a reminder of what is important and to keep striving for those things. Have a beautiful day, xoxo September 28, 2011 3:07 am
  • Jo Thomas: When things in your life seem, almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day is not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee. A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students, if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the sutdents again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responsed with a unanimous 'yes'. The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. 'Now', said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognise that this jar represents your life. THE GOLF BALLS ARE THE IMPORTANT THINGS - family, children, health, friends and favourite passions - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. THE PEBBLES ARE THE OTHER THINGS THAT MATTER like you job, house and car. TE SAND IS EVERYTHING ELSE - the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.' The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. So... Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children, take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. 'Take care of the golf balls first -- The things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.' This is going around on facebook at the minute, worth the 2 minutes it takes to read it and sounds like you've got all your golf balls packed in tight! (just read it so I don't sound like an idiot - and yes, I've seen Monte Python!) xo One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked'. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.' September 28, 2011 3:13 am
  • Jo Thomas: I did write a one sentence spiel before that (okay, a long sentence, I've never been good at being succinct) but it didn't come up? Anyway, just said this was going around on facebook at the moment - relates exactly to what you are saying! Good on you for getting it right and all your golf balls packed in!! xo September 28, 2011 3:16 am
  • Rachel Boatright DeVault: Oh, I love you! September 28, 2011 5:33 am
  • Jen: Dearest Natalie Norton, I think you are one of the most honest, sincere, and funniest characters on this green earth. I love your photography (of course, who doesn't?) but I love your take on life/stuff even more. I love that you moved from Hawaii to Arizona. I love it more that you did it for your boy. I love that you have three boys (I have four). I love that you share with the rest of us. Thanks for being you. Have a joyful day! Love, Jen October 2, 2011 6:16 pm
  • natalie: @Jen, I love that you just made my day! xoxo! October 3, 2011 8:17 am