We're in the middle of another weekend filled with home and yard improvements. I won't lie, it's not my favorite thing in the world. Sometimes I question why we went with an older home that needed updating and lots of yard improvement. I'm missing our weekend adventures more than anything but I'm trying to keep my eye on the prize: get everything done with the yard and we'll have all summer to enjoy it. But I'm still unhappy about it.
While I've been hard at work on the yard, Hubs has been busy designing and building our fence (and rebuilding the deck). During one of my many bitching sessions on how much I hate the vine growing in our yard, my husband said something that has had me thinking for days.
As he endured my complaining, he responded: "but just think of the pride and accomplishment you'll feel once it's all done. You'll know that you did it and it's done because of you."
I quickly said, "no I won't." Despite answering quickly, my husband's words have echoed around my head since. What gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment, is obviously different than what gives my husband those same feelings. Everyone feels pride and accomplishment for various reasons.
For me, finishing an article or project before a deadline. Looking at my finished work and hearing my work was well received gives me a sense of accomplishment. When I can bring people together with my thoughts and words and hearing that I helped someone, gives me a sense of pride. Creating something for daycare that the kids enjoy and learn from or when a child learns something that I taught them gives me joy and pride. When I witness my children make a good decision all on their own. All of these things together give me pride, accomplishment, and fulfillment.
It's really of no surprise to me that the things that make me happiest are also the things that bring me the most pride.
As I sit here writing, I feel my soul is full. As soon as I finish this, I'm headed outside to do more (dreaded) yard work. I doubt to feel the sense of accomplishment I'll feel when I hit the 'publish' button of this post. So, out of curiosity (because I'm generally fascinated by these things):
what gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment?
