Realistically

I have been on a journey to figure out how to be realistic.

For starters, at this very moment my husband is replacing the door knob I purchased and installed.  He had previously reinstalled it but it broke for good yesterday.

I have figured out that if I am being realistic about my skills and abilities, I will not purchase or install anything having to do with the construction of our house.

In fact, if it has a design to it, needs to be designed, needs to be redesigned or anything of the sort I should probably not even consider doing it.

I see all these amazing projects (completed projects) in magazines, on Facebook, on Pinterest, in newspapers, in books and even in people's yards and I think, "Ooo...that is so cool!  I could do that!"

Realistically? No, just no.  I actually can't.

If I have a pattern and I really apply myself, then maybe.  If I have all the pieces ready and the materials available, there's an even better chance of success.  If it's like my pallet board wall and just needs to be fit together like a puzzle, then yes, I just might be successful.  But to design something all on my own, put it together and like the finished project? Realistically, no, it just isn't going to happen. In fact, if it doesn't collapse or need to be recreated within 6 months, I'm doing pretty good.

I told my husband last week, "When I tell you I need a outside box to put my gardening tools in and you tell me there's a lot of wood around for that, I just want to cry.  I want to crawl into my bed and cry and not get up for a very long time." (I think that would be diagnosed as depression - I probably could get diagnosed with "Design Depression").

My husband very truthfully stated, "You can't SEE the design in your head."

Nope.

I am going to be realistic.  I am not going to plan to do a project I would have to design on my own.  I am not going to think I will repurpose anything that requires more than a little spray paint.  I am not going to gather cool materials to make something really cool - realistically it just won't be cool.  I am not going to think my husband could do a project I think is cool - realistically, well he has a house to finish!

I AM going to be content with what I have.  I am going to save up money for things, like lawn furniture, I can't make - realistically, I just won't be able to build something safe.  I am going to be realistic with my husbands time and not expect him to do projects I can't do when I want the house finished.  I am going to be patient with the progress on the house because every time I get impatient and try to do something my husband has to spend more of his time going back and fixing my work.

Oh, and a couple more things, I AM going to look for ways God can use the talents He has given me - like being able to minister to a sweet group of girls in our neighborhood. I will also be content with completing the tasks He's given me - like cleaning, cooking, laundry and mothering.

Being realistic means saying, "no" to myself and to other well-meaning people who say, "oh, you could make that into...for your house/yard/car/rabbit/etc." No, actually I can't, but I'm sure it's a great idea!

Being realistic means saying, "no" but it also means saying "yes" and "ok" to what God has for me.

My new goal is to look for ways I can say "yes" to God and be content with what the "yes" entails - and quit collecting junk I'll never redesign into anything!