A Working Mom's Secret to Success on Valentine's Day: Manage Expectations...

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Lady celebrating Valentine's Day at Eddie V's "To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance." - Oscar Wilde  Greetings from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania! Things have been busy. I am still a working mom of three, working full time who is trying to make a difference. I do a lot of things and try to be present so that I can learn from them. I share them on this blog so that we can learn together. Below are some thoughts, hacks, and/or lessons that I have learned from navigating my world. The roots of Valentine’s Day roots go back to St. Valentine, a priest in the early Christian Church known for his compassion and commitment to love. He was a defender of faith, hope, and kindness, reminding us that love is not just a feeling—it’s an action. And, this year I have learned that being free on Valentine's Day is better than living a lie. Valentine's Day, like Christmas, comes every year. However, unlike Christmas, Valentine's Day is about romantic love an...
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What hope is made of…

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Hope is the continuous belief that you can handle whatever happens to you.

Too frequently when I make mistakes, or bad things happen, I focus on them. After I have completely distracted myself, I obsess about whether I will make another mistake or when another bad thing will happen. I recently realized that I have lost too much time questioning my decisions and analyzing lost history.

Today I got the most amazing news. My friend who had a miscarriage last year is adopting a baby. Based on the photos, he’s the most precious baby ever! (I’m a huge baby fan, so I say that a lot. He is really cute though!) She (and her husband) never would have gotten that blessing had she focused on her loss instead of focusing on her future.

The news about the baby was followed by a meeting with a friend. My friend reminded me that we shouldn’t take life so seriously. Good things happen, bad things happen, but it is how you handle the bad things determines your success and ultimately your happiness.

The baby and the conversation reminded me what hope is made of. Without hope life can seem like a series of unfortunate events merely interrupted by a few bursts of happiness. The truth is my life has largely been filled with happiness. It has been blessed. I have gotten most of the things that I have really wanted, even when I haven’t necessarily needed them.

Of course I have experienced problems, everyone has. Like most women, I have been lied to by men, been disappointed, and had my heart broken. However, I have also been loved in an amazing way. And, I have had the good fortune of being treated well more than I have been treated badly. However, despite the reality of my life I have been paranoid that the bad will outweigh the good. It is that fear, rather than my experiences, that have caused me a great deal of heartache.

The bible says that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Certain events--miracles, love and friends--sometimes strengthen your faith and restore your soul. It is so nice to be hopeful again.
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