Emotions

Going Through the Emotions Why It's Worth the Trouble
-- By Mike Kramer, Staff Writer

The world can be a beautiful place, full of possibilities and life. You can feel invincible and in control. But it’s not always like that, is it? The world can also be a stressful, upsetting place with too many things to get done at once. At times, it seems like things that were once clear-cut are harder than they really need to be. Is it worth the trouble, you ask.

You’re darned right it is!

When your body and mind are struggling to deal with the physical and emotional changes that come along with a pregnancy, when things seem out of control, you’ve got to take control of what you can. When uncertainty fills your mind, that’s exactly when you need to be at your healthiest, your strongest, your most energetic. There’s no better time to create your own little corner of sanity and positive feeling. The best way you can do that is to work on making small things happen. As an expecting mother, it’s important not to try to tackle too much at one time. You’ll wear yourself down in the process. Include something positive in every single day.

You’ve probably heard this story before, but since you’re here, it’s worth retelling: A frog, hopping around the farm, minding his own business, fell right into a pail half-filled with cream. Swimming frantically, he found the sides too steep and too high. Determined not to give up, he continued to struggle. He kicked and squirmed, kicked and squirmed until at last his churning had turned the cream into a block of butter – allowing him to hop right out. He never gave up!

Here’s how your story and his intersect. If he started feeling sorry for himself, he would have sunk to the bottom. But instead, he kept kicking. He kicked not because he knew it would help him escape, but because he was compelled to. He kicked because the alternative was no alternative at all.

From the frog’s point of view, all he was doing was treading, doing what he could given his situation. If you keep kicking, even if it just seems like you’re treading water, you’re actually causing real change that will make a huge difference later on. Stick with your healthy eating and exercise. Continue thinking of the positives in your life. Keep doing what you know will help your body. The sickness and aching back will pass and a beautiful baby will be your reward. Don’t doubt yourself or your skills as a mother.

There will be good days throughout your pregnancy; there will be bad days – sometimes several in a row. There will be lazy days and discouraging days. But there will also be days of revelation, days of being proud of who you are becoming, days of realizing your potential as a parent, days of wanting to climb on top of your success and reach for the stars, because you just know that anything is possible.

These are the days that make it all worthwhile. These are the days that let you deal with those other, not-so-great days. Once you know those bad days will be there, it’s easier to accept them at face value and deal with them. But you have to keep kicking on those bad days to get to the good ones. If you’re not kicking, you’re sinking.

Don’t let the world or your own doubts take away one of the most positive things you have going for yourself – your determination to be the most healthy, energetic, vibrant, and wonderful parent that you know you are capable of.

Comment: this is a keeper. It's applicable in many parts of life.