Don't sweat the small stuff.
If I could pick one of the many over used phrases, it would be this one. But, albeit overused, much truth abounds in this one phrase.
What is "small stuff"?
I have a pretty jaded of view of what small stuff might be. I was raised by someone who saw equal value in everything. Now, when that comes to people, seeing people equally, well, that's a good thing. However, seeing a car crash and someone being 5 minutes late as two situation that receive the same high drama and response? not so much.
To give myself some rope to hang myself with, I do believe over time I have seen the differences between small stuff and important stuff. I also respect the fact that my important stuff and small stuff may differ from yours, but lets go at it.
Small stuff, no response needed
1. I do not get immediate acknowledgement upon entering a room.
2. I am 5 to 10 mins late for something other than a funeral, wedding, work, or school.
3. My birthday is forgotten by my friends.
4. I am not complimented on a brand new outfit when walking into a room.
5. I don't receive praise for every meal I cook.
6. Socks and underwear are left on the floor.
7. Dishes are not done.
8. I have to wait for someone for longer than 10 minutes, even if they don't have a "good" reason.
9. The sky is cloudy.
10. A joke is made, that I don't understand
This list could go on and on and on, right?
But one of the things I have learned over time that I heard from a very dear friend was that there is no need to get offended. I remember the first time I heard him say it, I was like "WHAT"? But as we talked about it further, I began to see that offenses, most of them, stem from "small stuff".
You didn't acknowledge me the way I thought you should have.
I do more for you than you do for me.
I spent more on you for Christmas than you spent on me.
I have attended more of your events than you attended mine.
I say I love you first.
I leave the car clean, you don't.
I act more lovey dovey than you do.
Whenever we keep score in any relationship, someone will ALWAYS come up short.
I can sense when I am keeping score. I become dissatisfied. Disengaged. Looking for the other person to say or do something stupid or wrong. In my humble opinion of course.
And then I am reminded.
Love keeps NO RECORDS. NONE.
So, for today, as a reminder, the slate is wiped clean. CLEAN.
I will NOT sweat the small stuff.
GAh, from Julie
