success

Sometimes as a stay at home mom it is hard to consider yourself a "success." And often times others look down on you for your choice to stay home with your children. Society does not consider us moms "successful." We don't have power, and we certainly don't have money... so we aren't successful... right?!?

I used to struggle with the questions people would ask like, "What do you do all day?" and comments like, "Well anyone could do that job." It would eat me up. I was too concerned with what others thought about me and my "job" rather than focusing on all the love I was giving to my children. I am not exactly sure when I stopped worrying about what other people defined as "success," but I am pretty sure it wasn't until after I had Emma. I love what I do. I love spending every possible moment with my children. I love my job. I can truly think of nothing more rewarding than my job. I am so blessed and thankful to be able to stay at home with my babies... though they really aren't babies anymore.

Anyways... Deacon Frank shared a poem at church a while back and I really loved it and wanted to share it.

“Success”
Inaccurately attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.

So go out there and be successful in whatever you do!