((((( tiodlliwi )))))

I think one of the keys to not letting "worry" get in the way of living is to consider what is the worst that could happen and how would you deal with it? I tend to be a worrier also. What I've taught myself over the years is that 99.999999% of the time, when I worry about the worst thing that could happen, 1. it doesn't happen 2. it wasn't half as bad as I worried it might be and 3. If I planned for the worst, it wasn't as stressful to me because I had planned out the options to deal with it. When worry strikes, it helps a lot to mentally tell yourself over and over again that what happens happens...and you will deal with it when and if it does happen. I'm not saying that it's easy to do that. It takes practice and patience with yourself as you train your way of thinking.

I have always been a control freak. Always wanting to have control over everything from my own life, to my kids lives, to work and whatever else was happening. I had to train myself that there are only so many things under MY control and to worry about what I can't control was taking away from living my life as stress free as possible.

Of course, being a parent is a huge responsibility. I've known parents who were lousy at parenting and had awesome kids. I've known parents who did their best to do everything right and were great parents and they had kids that were constantly in trouble and had many issues. A lot of parenting is a crap shoot. All we can do is to do the best we can with what we have to work with at the time. We are human, we make mistakes, but we also do things right too. As long as you do what is in your heart, it cannot be wrong.

Nothing bothers me more than when well-meaning folks try to push their own ideals and thoughts on others. Why can't you have just one child??? Why can't you have 10??? Why can't you have none??? It's YOUR life right? Until those folks get to walk in your shoes and live your life, they have no right to push their agenda and beliefs on you. I always welcome peoples thoughts on subjects, but I let them know that I appreciate their take on things, but it's MY decision that counts for ME. I expect to be respected for making my own decisions as I respect them for what they feel is right in their life.

Nothing in life is engraved in stone. There are twists and turns along every road we travel. We cannot plan our lives out to the point where we dismiss open doors along the way. Those open doors can take us in different directions and give us many different opportunities. I'm not saying that we shouldn't plan anything at all, just be open to endless possibilities!

I hope you can find some peace from your worry. It can stop you from doing so many wonderful things in life, and it can stop you from learning and growing. Relax, take a deep breath, take your hubby's hand and go with the flow! You will be fine

Hugssssss
J