Hey, hey sweet shoppers!  Laura here today and I’m throwing what I was going to talk about to the wayside and give you a little glimpse into my crazy head.  I can sense you’re all thrilled, right? :p

The events of the past couple weeks have really thrown me for a tail-spin.  With the passing of Eva as well as a turn in my favorite uncle’s health, I’ve really started to reevaluate who and what I am.  While I hate that it took some tragedies for that much needed self-reflection, I am eternally grateful that it did.  I don’t think that I’ve ever been a horrible person, but I have definitely done things and said things that I regret.  These two tragic events have made me realize, life is WAY too short but to do anything but live life with no regrets.  If you love, say it.  If you want something, get it, you can’t take money to your grave.  If you want to see someone, call them and make a date.  Just last Friday, my oldest daughter didn’t have school, but my younger daughter did.  I decided to take my younger daughter out of school for the afternoon so that we could go on a very much needed girls day out with friends.  We spent the day shopping, eating lunch and just being goofy together.  At the end of the day, the look on their faces was well worth any guilt I had about not sending her to school.

These tragedies have also made me reexamine a lot of the relationships in my life.  I’m a giver.  I always have been, and that always carries over into my ‘friendships.’  I tend to befriend people who have nothing to offer me.  I’m a good friend and I have finally come to realize that I deserve the same in return.  I let people walk all over me and while I understand that it’s good to have some compassion and do nice things for people, it’s not wonderful to let them walk all over you.  I found this little nugget while searching on Pinterest one day, and well, it sort of stuck with me.

Kinda perfect for a people pleaser like me.

All in all, I’ve totally gotten a new grasp on life.  I’ve decided to stop wallowing and take in the things that I am ever so grateful for.  I have a WONDERFUL family, amazing friendships (that have come out of not so amazing friendships), a roof over my head, things that I don’t necessarily need but want, and most importantly, I have my health.  It took me 35 years, but I’m so glad I had this much needed slap to the face.  While it’s hard to change your old ways, I’m hoping I can stick with what I’ve been given.  I like the new me, and I think most everyone will agree with me, life is too short to be angry all the time!