Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
Don’t sweat the small stuff! Most of us have heard this before and may have even said it yet often we don’t take heed.
Today … I’m saying it again because once again, I’ve been hit in the head with another perspective shift that truly adds credence to the reasons we should try to live simpler and happier and don’t take all the ‘small stuff’ so seriously.
My friend, Terri who I haven’t seen in years was gearing up to for her brothers wedding today. From reading a few Facebook comments, it was obvious the family was looking forward to the exciting marriage union of Terri’s brother Bryan and his bride to be.
Sadly, earlier this week, Bryan was killed in a motor vehicle accident.
As my friend put it, last weekend she was so happy to have found the perfect outfit for her brothers wedding, but today, she is instead celebrating his life instead of his marriage…while the new outfit will go unworn.
Life can change in the blink of an eye and its something that everybody should keep at the forefront of their minds.
If you are an over thinker, a worrier, and spend time fretting and sweating the small stuff, there’s no time like this minute to stop.
I’ve wasted much of my life allowing myself to sweat the small stuff and feel consumed in things that really don’t matter a darn.
I.e.: the house is upside down, something’s broken, or someone doesn’t do what they say, I’ve been let down, or plans don’t go the way I thought they should…or I’ve worried about work issues, my business, my staff, my dog, horse, cat, kids… (Oh… for goodness sakes ‘self’!!!)…I worried about finances, investments, relationships, and on and on the list goes!
Did the worry get me anywhere?
NOPE!
Next time you sweat the small stuff… ask yourself this questions: “If I were to come to the end of my life…or if something happened to a loved one… would THIS really matter?”
I’d be willing to bet it would NOT matter….and the truth is that worrying about the petty or sweating the small stuff doesn’t matter either! The outcome is never as bad as you imagine, nor does it improve by ‘sweating’ about it.
I’d also like to suggest that if there’s something you really want to do in life, use your common sense and just DO IT! If you hate your job, want start a business, try something new, buy an item, go on holidays, spend more time having fun with family and friends…. Just do it. What’s the worse that can happen? Besides life is short.
More importantly, right this minute, tell someone you love them, call your parents or friends and hug and kiss your kids and hold on to them like never before. Also, if you wouldn’t mind, send prayers to my friend Terri and her family and anyone else you know who is suffering today.
Be thankful my friends for what and WHO you have… keep gratitude anchored in your heart. Most things in life don’t matter. It’s the big things that count like family and friends.
Enjoy your life and don’t sweat the small stuff… it isn’t worth it… and remember you never know what could happen at any given time so embrace EVERY moment with thanks.
{ 4 comments }
Hi Jayne,
Just came across this and appreciate your writing this post. It surely puts things into perspective.
Sorry to hear of the tragedy, yet it reminds us to treasure the time we have with the people that mean the most in our lives.
Thanks for sharing,
Nelly
Hi Nelly, thanks for your comment. We REALLY DO have to treasure the time we have, and honor and cherish the gifts of our families and friends. I have had another big smack at the beginning of this year where I lost another very dear friend.
We humans tend to need a kick occasionally to hold on to our perspective shifts.
I am doing better with it, but I am not sure if we ever learn the lesson completely.
I hope we can….
Thanks Nelly!
PS: I wrote another post on a Tribute to Dan the Man in January. I share a story of a beautiful friend who shook our whole community with his passing.
Dear Jayne,
I am so sorry to hear about your friend’s loss. My thoughts go out to her family.
This piece really made me think as I feel like this year I have been letting everything small get to me from worrying about items of clothing I’ve given away, to feeling stressed about my MA, to worrying about little things which go wrong. Sometimes I guess you just need to sit down and think about life and what you do have and feel appreciative about that. You are right, it is too short and everything can change, just like that.
Thank you,
Em xx
Hi Emilie, Thanks for stopping by and your well wishes for my friend. I am glad this post touched you. We all have an issue occasionally with worrying about things that don’t matter. It’s a good practice however to keep thinks in perspective. Thanks again Emilie, and take care. Jayne
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