Putting Things in Perspective

Patterico has an excellent post on putting things in perspective. To appreciate the present, he's decided to try to think of the present from the perspective of his old age. In other words, looking back on life, will he like what he sees or will he wish he'd done something different?

The answer usually is obvious. Doing more of the things that are compassionate and giving, helpful to others, and appreciative of everyone are behaviors we will rarely (if ever) regret.

In my own life, it might mean playing a completely meaningless game like World of Warcraft with my son or letting my oldest daughter pour out the minutiae of her day without impatience or considering what I could be doing.

Maybe it's just watching an extra episode of Spongebob Squarepants for the umpteenth time with my littlest one who still likes to curl up in the same chair with me when we watch TV.

Maybe it's sitting with my husband in companionable silence while we watch TV or play games or just read side by side.

It could be doing something constructive, like weeding the flowerbeds while explaining the importance of sunlight and water to the plants to all three kids, or it could just be playing a silly game of Uno and laughing everytime somebody gets the +4 wild card laid on them.

My husband and I decided to simplify our lives about six months or so ago. Part of that agreement was that I would quit my job (which, while fun, was neither the most monitarily profitable nor most constructive use of my time) so I could be here full-time for the kidlets and my dad. And while money is tight often times, I can't say I regret for a minute that I did this because I now have peace of mind about both my children and my dad. On top of that, I've been able to take up some hobbies that I never seemed to have time to learn before. In short, slowing down has allowed me to devote more effort to doing the best job for my family, rather than just an adequate one.

I realize not everyone has the option we have chosen, but I suspect a lot more could than want to, not because of blind ambition or selfishness, but because there's been a certain leap of faith involved with going down to one income. I tried to explain my gratitude for my life one time at Echidne of the Snakes, but the reaction there was so bizarrely negative that I've hesitated to say anything about my experience since. Reading Patterico's post tonight made me remember how fortunate I am to be able to embrace the moments that otherwise pass too quickly.