tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266137.post8794857090806554208..comments2023-10-12T01:45:11.356-07:00Comments on BRAZENLILLY: The New Yorker (part 1)Brazenlillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959608921200375682noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266137.post-90415321682360954062010-07-24T08:26:35.988-07:002010-07-24T08:26:35.988-07:00Without having read the article I think you hit th...Without having read the article I think you hit the nail on the head by touching on the difference between joy and so called happiness. The world focuses on selfish pursuit of the latter which often precludes them from finding the former. "whoever seeks to find his/her life will lose it, but whoever gives his/her life for my sake will find it". I can't even describe the joy I feel when I look at or think about my children. I find myself looking for moments of quiet but that is only to recharge, not to get away from my life. I also agree with Becky's discussion of expectations. Our society is raised to expect we'll get what we want in the moment and is often missing out on the joy of sacrifice.<br />8:23 AMeetshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16207285060432099578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266137.post-12714535879065509892010-07-24T08:23:19.106-07:002010-07-24T08:23:19.106-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.eetshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16207285060432099578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266137.post-86553032227358476132010-07-22T23:07:47.651-07:002010-07-22T23:07:47.651-07:00Agreed.. love it. Every word.Agreed.. love it. Every word.Kristen Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04897746130242599902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266137.post-60399883989428292242010-07-22T16:46:43.355-07:002010-07-22T16:46:43.355-07:00Yeah! I love me some bigger butt! (that's mi...Yeah! I love me some bigger butt! (that's mine I'm talking about, and I actually don't love it, I just love the boogers that gave it to me). :) Great post, Jen.<br /><br />PS I secretly long for the day when we can eat a meal that doesn't involve the broom and/or dustbuster at the end of it. Sigh.Stephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292669801667749936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266137.post-46871337965119818062010-07-22T16:09:53.903-07:002010-07-22T16:09:53.903-07:00I love that you wrestled with this. Sometimes I...I love that you wrestled with this. Sometimes I'm so tired, overwhelmed, in a bubble, that when I see things like this article, I find I don't have the emotional stamina to stay in the game to process it and wrestle with it. Especially this past year. But I so appreciate your prospective and words of wisdom. And your willingness to challenge the status quo.Lisa Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13613805284802360702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266137.post-82470057630308526572010-07-22T09:48:34.190-07:002010-07-22T09:48:34.190-07:00The whole deal with that article is that people ha...The whole deal with that article is that people have expectations that are perfect but life is not perfect. So their expectation and reality conflict, which makes them less happy. The majority of people don't live in the present and cannot be happy, truly happy today. That is sad. Today is hwhat we have to work with.<br /><br />I agree with you. Research can be mostly accurate (at best) but only to the population they studied. So take it with a grain of salt, and use it as a discussion starter like you did. If parents identify with the unhappy side, reassess your expectations, and choose to see the positive of everyday. <br />We are blessed to be physically able to have children. That alone makes me praise God for this day. We have healthy bodies, again, I could stop there and be happy all day. I totally find myself feeling stressed or upset when gross diapers happen or naptime is screamfest...but I am thankful to have a beautiful boy and a wonderful husband. <br />Do I miss the pre-baby days of doing whatever I wanted with tons of extra money? Yeah, but those days will be back (it's called retirement). So I choose to cherish this day-- not yesterday or tomorrow -- because this is the day that the Lord has made...Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02810332177393636400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266137.post-64135654592291993142010-07-22T09:38:29.151-07:002010-07-22T09:38:29.151-07:00I didn't read the article (yet), but I already...I didn't read the article (yet), but I already know I like yours better.:) Parenting is difficult, true, doesn't matter what personality you are, what background you have, or what your social status. And there are just some stages of it that are beyond difficult! But I stand by the fact that the joy of the Lord is our strength and He gave us children as a reward and a blessing. Our selfish, sinful natures always struggle with "dying to self", and central to the role of parenting is putting someone else's needs first. The world looks at that as a loss of self, the death of dreams, and ultimately they encourage us to follow whatever makes our hearts happy--the whole "find what fulfills you" search. Hogwash. Having Christ doesn't mean easy road, but it sure means JOY, purpose, contentment, and finding beauty in the things the world would call "foolishness". He is our fulfillment. You are a great writer Jen, and I wholeheartedly AMEN to your post. Here's to moms and dads everywhere doing the hardest job on the planet!woosterweesterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16768163870494533835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266137.post-6211318436167243322010-07-22T07:42:00.494-07:002010-07-22T07:42:00.494-07:00Jen, you said so much and said it so honestly. You...Jen, you said so much and said it so honestly. You've made me think (always a good but sometimes unsettling thing). I see my parenting from a different perspective: Looking back. It was all worth it, especially when I think of the relationship I have with you and Mike. I love you.Jo B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00318881295545692237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266137.post-34071775000436278772010-07-22T04:24:05.709-07:002010-07-22T04:24:05.709-07:00So true, Jen. parenting IS unbelievably complicate...So true, Jen. parenting IS unbelievably complicated, rewarding, frustrating, inspiring, exhausting, funny...I could go on and on. It never ceases to amaze me that these little people that I love so much can make me so furiously angry one minute and then make me laugh the next. I am their mummy, have put the selfish ME on hold, and have gained so much instead. Would I want to go back to my life before these kids? Never. (But could I maybe borrow a half hour of my pre-kids sleeping in time?)Pascalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00964636932077428974noreply@blogger.com