I Am Blessed

I Am Blessed

Browsing through Instagram sometimes makes me feel bad. Seeing other moms looking fab and so well-taken care ofย or fellow moms still being so close to their parents bring feelings of sadness, self-pity and envy. I know I shouldn’t feel that way, but I can’t help it — especially on tough days.

Why can’t I go to the salon as often as they do? Why can’t I splurge in a luxurious spa experience? Why is it that, until now, a long-running issue with my family still cannot be resolved?

As I was opening my laptop earlier today, I noticed that my once very smooth hands are now dry and flaky. I also have small cuts on my fingers from constant washing — I really need to find a laundry detergent that’s gentle to the skin, but can still remove stains!ย I realized I haven’t gone to the spa for a much needed hand spa and manicure for the longest time.

I can’t say that married life and motherhood has been a breeze. There are days when Daddy A and I would fight over the smallest things; when I would snap at the kids because they won’t stop crying; days when the laundry basket overflows and the dirty plates pile up in the sink.

There are times when I wish I can go to the gym every day like I used to; relax at the spa every week; to have my hair done every month. I miss shopping like crazy, too, as well as hanging out in my favorite coffee shop and going on road trips whenever I want to.

I was about to complain about how difficult it is not to have a maid that does everything for me like when I was growing up; about how I miss having my money to myself… when my eyes turned to the bed where my two angels were sleeping.

I always say that The Minis can be a handful. They really have this way of pushing my patience beyond my boiling point and making me feel like I’m not doing very well in this mothering thing. Daddy A’s line of work doesn’t help, too, since he spends most of his time at the station and leaves when an emergency in his AOR arises (even when it’s family time). But all these do not stop me from feeling blessed — because I am blessed.

When you are grateful — when you can see what you have — you unlock blessings to flow in your life. (Suze Orman)

I am blessed because I have a husband who, despite his work, tries his very best to be with us. He helps me with chores when he can, provides our needs and supports me with whatever makes me happy. He constantly reminds me of his love, respects what I have to say and is, altogether, a good husband to me and an amazing father to our children.

I am blessed because I have two angels whose every hug, kiss (in the Little Man’s case, licks) and “I love, Mommy!” replace my fatigue with love and joy. They remind me to see and appreciate simple things and to be — as my Philosophy professor calls it — continuously astonished about life.

I am blessed because despite not being able to afford all the luxuries I used to enjoy, we have a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs and meals that fill us up.

It can be difficult to recognize little blessings, especially now that our eyes are constantly fed with images of the perfect life through social media platforms, but we should always try to be grateful… because being grateful, seeing the wonderful in every single person, thing or situation, can really change your life.

Kimberley Reyes

Kimberley Reyes is an Online Business Manager for entrepreneurs who are ready to get off the hamster wheel and step into their CEO shoes. On top of helping her clients get organized and scale their businesses, she is also happily busy raising her five kids with her firefighter husband.

This Post Has 14 Comments

  1. Rhea Dy

    I can relate

    1. Kim Reyes

      Your first ever comment, Rhea! I’m glad to see you here. ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Rikx Knows Best

    Awww, I feel you, Kim. Ganun talaga eh. There are people pa nga who complains pa with all of the luxurious things surrounding them. Darating ka talaga sa point na yun pero once you accept what you have and how it makes you happy, wala lang yung mga yun. Hindi rin naman natin alam kung masaya sila off cam. Hehe. You have a lovely family, Kim and you are blessed. ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Kim Reyes

      That’s the worst kind of social media users~ those who complain despite the fact that they seem to be having a good life. Then again, sabi mo nga, we’ll never know how they are off cam. Anyway! Thanks Rhix! Yes, yes. I am well aware of things that matter now; and I hope others will start realizing this too. Alam kong marami sa atin ngayon ang nakaka-experience talaga ng stress/envy/depression because of social media.

  3. Marsy

    I feel you Kim! There are times when I feel like I fail mommy hood especially when my daughter favors my Mom who is always with her everyday. I miss the carefree days and I get so exhausted with work, motherhood and too many issues in life. But at the end of the day, I realized that like you, I am blessed. We are blessed and loved with so many things. Cyberhugs sissy!

    1. Mom On Duty

      Things can get overwhelming/exhausting/frustrating/even depressing, especially with the kids around (lalo na ako, I have two!). Sometimes, we just need to step back, relax and remind ourselves of our blessings. Thanks for the comment, Mars!

  4. Denise Rayala

    Alam mo friend, I always tell R na kaya maaga [sa plano] kami nagkaanak kasi gusto kaming bigyan ni Lord ng sariling pamilya. Perhaps, ganun din ang reason ng nangyari sa inyo ni A. So etong meron tayo ngayon ang i-treasure natin. Although may time na gusto natin maging perfect ang lahat, okay yun pero the more we strive for perfection, the more that we see imperfections. Maswerte pa din tayo kasi we know that contentment begets happiness. Ang kawawa yung hindi makuntento kaya hindi kayang maging masaya.

    Shucks, ang lalim. Cheers!

    1. Mom On Duty

      Naku naman! Tumulo ang luha ko sa right eye! Hahaha! But seriously, I love what you said. It’s true nga noh? The more we strive for perfection, the more we notice imperfections. I really try my best to let go of things that are out of my control and just let God do His work. Actually, that’s what I did after writing my post — and it felt a lot better. ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Kristine

    I feel you, fellow mom. Motherhood can be way too much sometimes that we put ourselves at the back burner. But look at you, very pretty and have such a lovely family. You are blessed, indeed, despite of it all. Because of it all. ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Mom On Duty

      Aww! Thanks Kristine! There are people who would tell me that I’m not doing it [mothering] right and I take those comments so seriously that I end up putting myself down. But then I realized that there are no set rules for raising children. I have two and there is no one way of raising both of them because they are two different people. My goal now is to stop taking other people’s opinion of me too seriously and just trust on myself and my capabilities.

  6. Rae

    Hugs.

    Anyway, would you like to try a liquid detergent? The one from shopwise, brand = homelife is good. Not too harsh.

    1. Mom On Duty

      Thanks, Rae! Oh- sige, I’ll look for that brand. I think the one I use is too strong. Natatanggal nga stain pero pati skin ko natatanggal. Haha!

  7. Maureen

    Same sentiments ate kim.. Indeed you are blessed and so I am…

    1. Mom On Duty

      Wow, Mau! First time to comment. ๐Ÿ˜€ Our situation with our husbands is a challenge talaga. We have to be strong for them and our family, but that can sometimes be a burden that is super hard to carry. We’re lucky, though, because we have husbands who try their best to be there.

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