Thinking about attitudes in general

In my other life as the tag-along partner in my husband's home inspection business, I get to meet the most interesting people. These are folks who run the gamut from first-time home buyers to packing-it-up-and-scaling-it-down seniors. Without exception, all these people come to the home-buying experience thrilled and full of trepidation at the same time.

And without exception, all these people have fallen in love with the home they've chosen and when you meet them, are starry-eyed and effusive. (Okay, it's mostly the women... I can say all this because I am one! However, the thought is the same whether you're male or female, so guys--stick with me!)

They "love" everything about the house. They are excited as they measure the windows for curtains. They run their hands lovingly over the tile countertops and can't wait to try out the whirlpool tub. It's kind of like dating--there is absolutely nothing wrong with this "partner" they've chosen and they will talk for hours about their dreams and hopes.

And then they buy the house.

Two weeks later, we meet them in Lowe's. Each is pushing a cart or buggy loaded down with paint and wallpaper, along with new faucet fixtures and boxes of tile or rolls of linoleum. And the conversation goes the same way, every time.

"Hi! You guys doing a little... remodeling?"

"Oh yes," she moans, rolling her eyes. "I just can't STAND that wallpaper in the master bathroom and the tile on the kitchen countertop has just GOT to go! It's giving me a migraine! And who would have picked out those horrible faucets for the family bathroom? And that floor in the laundry room? Ugh!!" she shudders.

It's never different--in two weeks time the new homeowner has gone from so head-over-heels in love with her house to doing everything but burning it down and starting over.

It got me to thinking... how many other things or people in our lives have we gone from starry-eyed love to contemptuous indifference with? We all have so many blessings in our lives that we take for granted. Familiarity breeds contempt, and that with which we're the most familiar with is that we tend to overlook and become ungrateful toward--whether it's our homes, the new car, the husband or wife, or even our children or parents.

It also got me thinking about attitudes in general. Are these tumultuous times? Most definitely. People are struggling just to make ends meets, and oftentimes those ends never quite get together. However, we still have so many things that we can be thankful for and I sometimes wonder if our contentment with our life doesn't rest more with how we perceive the world around us and those walking the path with us. Are we thankful for the love and support of a spouse? Do we delight in our kids? Are we thankful that we have a roof over our heads when so many in the world don't? Do we take pleasure in eating the bounty from the hard work of our hands or do we look at the act of gardening and preparing with a hostility reserved for the boss you hate but have to put up with because you need your job?

It all comes down to attitude and how you look at the world. Life is hard. Our country is changing around us and liberties we've taken for granted are being snatched away from us. But as we fight the good fight, let's not forget to be thankful for the many ways that God has blessed us. Take a moment... give your wife or husband a hug or a call and tell them you love them. Ask your kids about their day. Lay the phone down and really look at them when they talk. Take your mom to lunch or your dad fishing. Invest in what's important and learn to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness.

You'll be surprised at not only the difference it makes in your life, but the way you view the world around you.

Wishing you all a wonderful week, and as always, thank you for being a subscriber to Off the Grid News! We value each and every one of our readers. If you haven't already, friend us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

The Editor
editor@offthegridnews.com