“Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new.” ― Thoreau
So why not just laugh now? – G
“If we do not feel grateful for what we already have, what makes us think we’d be happy with more?” — Unknown
Recently I posted a picture of myself in my kitchen, and I immediately started receiving generous messages from people wanting to help me “update” it. Along with their messages came pictures of how my kitchen could look, if I’d just put some effort and money into it.
I’ve always loved my kitchen, but after seeing those pictures I found myself looking at it through new, critical eyes. Maybe it was all wrong. Maybe the 80’s counters, laminate cabinets, mismatched appliances and clutter really were mistakes I should try to fix. I stood and stared and suddenly my kitchen looked shabby and lazy to me. I wondered if that meant I was shabby and lazy, too. Because our kitchens are nothing if not reflections of us, right? I decided I’d talk to Craig and make some calls about updates.
But as I lay down to sleep, I remembered this passage from Thoreau’s Walden: “I say beware of all enterprises that require new clothes and not a new wearer of the clothes.” Walden reminds me that when I feel lacking- I don’t need new things, I need new eyes with which to see the things I already have. So when I woke up this morning, I walked into my kitchen wearing fresh perspectacles. Here’s what I saw.
You guys. I have a REFRIGERATOR.
This thing MAGICALLY MAKES FOOD COLD. I’m pretty sure in the olden days, frontierswomen had to drink warm Diet Coke. Sweet Jesus. Thank you, precious kitchen.
Inside my refrigerator is FOOD. Healthy food that so many parents would give anything to be able to feed their children. Not me. When this food runs out, I’ll just jump in my car to get more. It’s ludicrous, really. It’s like my family hits the lottery every freaking morning.
THIS CRAZY THING IS A WATER FAUCET. I pull this lever and CLEAN WATER POURS OUT EVERY TIME, DAY OR NIGHT. Mamas everywhere spend their entire day walking miles to and from wells just for a single bucket of this- and I have it right here at my fingertips. I’m almost embarrassed to say that we also have one of these in each of our two bathrooms, and one in the front yard with which to WASH OUR FEET. We use clean drinking water to WASH OUR FEET. Holy bounty.
This is the magical box in which I put uncooked stuff, push some buttons, and then a minute later- pull out cooked stuff. It is like the JETSONS up in here.
This is my medicine cabinet. Since my Lyme is in remission and each of my babies is healthy- there is nothing in here but vitamins and supplements and tea. Thank you, God. This medicine cabinet is a miracle to me. Every time I open it I feel like I should kneel down and kiss the ground. I have an inbox full of letters from mothers whose medicine cabinets look very different.
Speaking of ground- this is our kitchen floor. It’s not fancy, but it’s perfect for our most important kitchen activity: DANCING. When Chase was three a librarian asked a roomful of kids, “what do we do in the kitchen?” Everyone else called out “cook” or “eat!” But Chase yelled “DANCE!”
I can’t even talk about this thing. Actually, let’s take a moment of reverent silence because this machine is the reason all my people are still alive. IT TURNS MAGICAL BEANS INTO A LIFE-SAVING NECTAR OF GODS. EVERY MORNING. ON A TIMER.
And look you guys: LOOK. This is the kitchen corner where I keep all my kids’ school stuff. My kids go to a FREE school with brilliant teachers and a loving administration and they’re SAFE there. The school sends flyers home about PROGRAMS and CLASSES and CLUBS to make my kids’ hearts bigger and softer and their brains sharper and their bodies healthier. This corner reminds me everyday that my kids have at their fingertips what so many around the world are giving their lives for: quality education. When I wear my perspectacles I can’t look at this corner without a heart explosion.
My perspectacled kitchen tour taught me two things this morning: I’m insanely lucky and I’m finally FREE.
In terms of parenting, marriage, home, clothes – I will not be a slave to the Tyranny of Trend any longer. I am almost 40 years old and no catalog is the Boss of Me anymore. I am free. I am not bound to spend my precious days on Earth trying to keep up with the Joneses- because the Joneses are really just a bunch of folks in conference rooms changing “trends” rapidly to create fake monthly emergencies for us. OH NO! NOW IT’S A SUBWAY TILE BACKSPLASH WE NEED! No, thank you. Life offers plenty of REAL emergencies to handle, thank you very much.
I’m a grown up now. I know what looks good on me, and that doesn’t change every three months. I know how I like my house. I like it cute and cozy and a little funky and I like it to feel lived in and worn and I like the things inside of it to work. That’s all. And for me – it’s fine that my house’s interior suggests that I might not spend every waking moment thinking about how it looks.
Sometimes it seems that our entire economy is based on distracting women from their blessings. Producers of STUFF NEED to find 10,000 ways to make women feel less than about our clothes, kitchens, selves so that we will keep buying more. So maybe freeing ourselves just a little from the Tyranny of Trend is a women’s issue – because we certainly aren’t going to get much world changing done if we spend all of our time and money on wardrobe and kitchen changing.
BUT. Listen. I’m nothing if not a tangled, colorful ball of contradictions. I like a good make-over as much as anybody else. So . . . HERE WE HAVE IT. HERE IS THE MELTON KITCHEN MAKEOVER FOR YA! READY FOR THE BIG REVEAL?
Before:
After:
Ba- BAM! Extreme home makeover! My kitchen IS beautiful because it is full of beauty. SO IS YOURS.
Today I shall keep my perspectacles super-glued to my face and feel insanely GRATEFUL instead of LACKING and I will look at my home and my people and my body and say: THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THIS IS ALL MORE THAN GOOD ENOUGH, ALL OF IT. Now. Let us turn our focus onward and outward. There is WORK TO BE DONE and JOY TO BE HAD.
Love,
G
Author of the #1 New York Times Bestseller LOVE WARRIOR — ORDER HERE
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2,233 Comments
Thank you so much for writing this I sometimes find myself a lot lately feeling so almost bad for myself sure I do not have a house to call my own but I do have a lot of things mom’s around the world would give their left arm for so for that I thank whole heartedly fir making me see what I do have not what I don’t.
I’ve been thinking of my “2015 word” for a couple of days now – perspectacles is a perfect fit!!! Thank you, G!
Wow-so timely for me as I feel increasingly embarrassed of my dated kitchen especially this time of year for my annual Christmas party. Thanks for reigning me in! Happy New Year!
Excellent points.
I love this. I often find myself wishing for a “bigger” kitchen while cooking large meals during the holidays, but I always remember how lucky I am to have the kitchen, and food, and family to cook for. When my kids friends come in and feel the need to tell me how small my kitchen is, I tell them exactly how “big” it really is. Thank you so much for sharing your perspectacles!!!!
I have the same Kindness Matters magnet!!!
Reading this made my day! You are blessed! (I especially love that your kitchen is for dancing!) 😀
Thank you…
I LOVE this post. Thanks for dose of perspective in this gotta have it all perfect world. Easy to get caught up in wanting others perfect and not realising how good we have it!
I love the Perspectacles….love you for being so True to Yourself!
God bless you for sharing and caring!
Everyone loves what you guys tend to be up too.
This type of clever work and coverage! Keep up the wonderful works guys I’ve
added you guys to our blogroll.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!
Right!?
This article is FANTASTIC! I laughed, I teared up…I felt connected to you in SO MANY WAYS! Thank you for writing this and sharing this!
Im headed to my Nectar of Gods machine RIGHT NOW!
can we be friends??;)
Thank you for bring a strong voice!!!:)
Terrific article. Kudos for having figured out what is important, and what isn’t. Can only wish I had been as grounded as you when I was 40.
When I saw the “after” photo I literally burst into tears.
This is the most beautiful thing I’ve read in a long time.
I see nothing wrong with your kitchen to begin with. Everything is clean and works, what else could you ask for? Love the article, we really are very blessed and sometimes just need to take a step back to appreciate it 😀
I do love this post but I really want to ask where did you get the Kindness Matters magnet? I saw it on a car bumper last year and love it!
I love your post about gratitude rather than debt. I have a blog called the secret is gratitude as I feel that the secret to being happy in life is having Gratitude and Service. Thanks for you words that remind us that home and family are more important than our House.
Beautiful post. To add to your comments I can say that as an Interior Designer I have seen the joy and relief that comes from a little tidying and de-cluttering. Tackling this costs only time, requires no remodeling and is very freeing.
Wow….you have no idea how much I needed this message right now. Your post inspired me to do some MUCH needed cleaning of my perspectacles, so rock on girl, and keep doing God’s work!
I loves this post so much. For a church activity I was hoping to share this post and talk about gratitude. Are you ok if I print it off to hand out to the ladies in my congregation? You can email me to let me know. Thank you
Your article made me smile. People think your kitchen is dated? I’ve been looking at older homes and real estate on-line, and let me tell you your kitchen is fantastic compared to what I’ve seen. These people who criticize your kitchen would freak out if they could see mine. Wood cabinets from the 1970s and a black stove from the 70’s and NO DISHWASHER or disposal! The horror! Like you I thank God I can go buy healthy food every day, drink clean water and drink the Nectar of the gods called coffee from my fancy coffee machine.
Hahaha.. what a great article. Loved that before and after pic! Glorious! Your kitchen sounds like my old fashioned kitchen .Her kitchen looks like something I would dream about..well, maybe…I love my old 70’s kitchen- its got a timeworn classic appeal just like all those new kitchens of today will have in the future with their faux stone backsplashes and loads of laminate and white. But who cares, its the love in any kitchen that makes a kitchen beautiful.
Susan, do you mind if I quote your last sentence? it’s perfect!
Truly wise words. I think that men should also learn to appreciate what they have already and not be distracted by what the media is telling they should have. Nowadays we are bombarded with messages from high paid marketing agencies that make us feel bad because they try and get you to feel that you are not enough as you are and that you should constantly do everything to get more stuff. While the base philosophy of constant improvement is not a bad idea if you point this to your inner life and learn to appreciate what live already has given you, it is a bad idea thinking any kind of product of service will make you happy.
Straight up awessome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How beautifully said. How beautiful is your family! The girls being adorable & your little man kissing the baby! Adorable I say! How beautiful are you, to have been blessed to see your home in this light & then shake all our bubble heads, until the craziness falls out. I know I desperately needed it today, as I had been feeling like my home & myself were not enough lately. Thank You.
A timely reminder
<3 thank you.
This brought tears to my eyes. How often do I forget how truly blessed I am (too often), but then I remember, I have a house with heat, running water, food, electricity all the things that keep me cozy and comfy. My nephew lives up front and he is always looking out for me to make sure I am save and OK. Wow! I am blessed.
I love, love, love this!!!
Beautiful!! 🙂
It’s like a I just fell in love with a new friend. First time to your blog, and a here I am stayin’!!!
I have come back to re-read this wonderful post again and again. It always gives me a sense of happiness and gratitude for my simple, frugal, satisfying retirement way of life. Your deeply meaningful vision of what’s really important validates my choices of simplicity and frugality.
Thanks for writing this terrific article. I happened to be looking out the front door in MY perspectacles and saw my smiling, tiny, 6th grade daughter heading off to her sixth day of Middle School dragging one enormous blue plaid backpack, one pink/green/white lunch box, one black worn out huge lap top case that was at one time both of her older brothers, one maroon soft sack with gym clothes in it, and finally, one french horn case that should have wheels as it is larger than carry on luggage. My one high school son was standing with me and I said take a look at her. And he said he looked like that a few years ago, too. And he walked out the door and helped her load that mess into the back of the waiting carpool car. I think my kids look like my kitchen. God is Good and I am blessed. Thank you for reminding me, yet again.
All hail kids carrying French Horns. Wheels! Why didn’t I think of that?
If I take it back up–which I hope to do now that some bad health issues have improved and some exciting and wonderful but busy life events have passed–I am going to figure out how to put it on wheels so it doesn’t hurt my back!
Your story is something I read and reread whenever I need a dose of perspective. Wish you had been around about 30 yrs. ago when I was raising my children!!!!!
I LOVE your fridge! I love a big fridge like that! but they are so hard to find these days here.
Your kitchen is beautiful. It’s decorated with love in every single corner.
Well said! You have an awesome attitude of gratitude. It seems like too many people look around and notice what’s wrong in their lives, rather than being grateful for what they have! This is the best blog post I have read in a really long time!
BRAVO! Brilliant, beautiful!! This is a much needed reminder! A friend posted this on FB, and I LOVE your sentiment and spirit. I must say – awesome writing skills, as well.
As a woman that has been living in a one bedroom house while gutting and renovating the 3 bedroom one next door, I’D KILL FOR YOUR KITCHEN! 2 children, myself and a rather tall and patient Dutchman crowd into the wee place, juggle spaces, have to shift out of the way to get to the bathroom, dancing has to be done in lines, but we are HAPPY! Happy and healthy are what matter, the rest is window dressing! Loving the life I lead and am thrilled that you do too! Namaste.
I love this! We all need to be reminded to be grateful. Before buying anything, I try to remember the difference between need and want. Evidently I passed some of that on to my children as I have a grown son who often says that “Just by being born in this country, we have won the lottery.” I love that he is grateful for all the good we have. Whenever I begin to lust after granite countertops, I ask myself why would I throw perfectly good tile counters away? I know from years of past experience that a new anything offers only temporary happiness then it’s on to the next thing.
Glennon, you have become a much-needed light of hope in my life. EVERYTHING I have seen, heard, read from you has touched some part of me that needs healing. I am a recovering alcoholic, a heavy spender and debtor, and an over-the-top sensitive person trying to fill a great big hole (at least I have climbed out of it!). Time for me to put on a new pair of perspectacles. Thank you for your inspirational self!
Wonderful!! Just the message I needed to hear!
I love this post. What I love most is your medicine cabinet. I have lyme and always say that some day I will have an empty cabinet and have a need to buy cotton balls (can they stuff those bottles with more cotton?) I am so happy to hear that your cabinet now has space.
Well done. Thank you!
Well done… Extra points for snark!
Well, heck. You just whupped my butt. Thank you for the reality check.
Couldn’t agree more! x
School is not free, unless you are a poor helpless illegal immigrants.
Than k you so much for the insightful and clear truths about active gratitude. I was especially impressed regarding your feeling on physical appearance. So I want to share my story.
Once I was 22. 125 pounds of firm, athletic, hormone-thriving energy. Then I got married. I had children. experience true sorrow. This affected my body also. I got older. Things were really hard at times. My hair turned to gray. At 45 I had a hysterectomy. My normal body functions evaporated. It affected my strength, my vitality, and my hormonal balance. I gained more girth. Over the next 20 years I had many surgeries to save my life. I don’t even faintly resemble the 22 year old I once thought secretly as sexy.
But here is what else happened. The man I married remained faithful to me and has for 39 years. He has labored with love and duty to provide for us. He had kept a roof over our head, clothes on our back, food in our bellies. He had loved me though all my changes–even now when I am fatter, and older and grayer than ever before. I’m still not sure what he sees in me. But the other day he asked me to spend time with him, like a young man asking for his first date.Those children I had grew up to be adults, who also followed the honorable traditions of marrying and having families of their own.. So In this aging process I acquired the gift of almost 12 (one’s in the oven “) grandchildren. The joy of their company, wit, and loving feedback has brought me countless hours of reassurance, that I am loved, and even beautiful. I don’t have to be 22 and sexy for them–I just have to be me and love them. Although my athleticism has faded, and my energy lessened But I now I take walks, the time spent in doing this more slowly gives me the ability to look up and around me to see this incredible world God mad just for me. The passing of time has built me a storehouse in which I hold a wealth of friendships, and memories , some to sacred to mention here. Now when I look in the mirror, I remember what journey this body and I have taken, I can say, Thank you God. Thank you for letting me live through my illnesses so I hold my new born grandbabies. Thank you Lord, for letting me through hard times, so I can still rejoice in those moments of wisdom acquired.. Than you God, for giving me knowledge and a plethura (sp?)of memories that remind me God is ever mindful and watchful & generous. I can be content. at not being 22 any more. I have won, I think, in the sacrifice of youthful perfection, something more precious and lasting.
I think your comments are beautiful and true and I can relate to them very well. keep on trucking warrior, cheers from beautiful Canada, Mariana Grinblat. by the way, we should add our supportive kids that are in our life.
This writing and sentiment touched me and made me cry a little. The message of grateful is often lost as we are bombarded with Kardasians and sports figures (there’s so many over the top ones in the sports category, it’s hard to have a place holder like Kim.) Thank you for writing it and reminding me that I am incredibly lucky for all sorts of reasons.
You go girl! You’ve a great perspective on what life is all about.
AWESOME THINKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I made my way here from the Facebook post of Ginger Davis Allman. I read everything you wrote, and my eyes got watery. This should be on the front page of the Internet, in every language. I’ve heard the term ‘First world problems…’ and realize how often people who -have-…. have no idea how good they have it because they think they don’t have -enough-. I shall be wearing my ‘perspectacles’ too, thank you for showing me where to get them. Right here in my own bag of gratitude.
Thank you.
And you might appreciate a Facebook community called Look for the Good Project. A place where people think a lot like you, and have great gratitude for the really important things they have, like family. Or running water. Or sunshine on their faces.
Thank you again. This was nothing short of perfectly said.
Have you ever realized that the people who live in these very “minimalistic” homes that are 100% free from all clutter also tend to be more neurotic because their life is consumed with being perfect. Perfection does not equal happiness, love, and good health.
Hey! That’s not really a fair statement. I prefer the aesthetic of our ‘minimalistic’ home, but it also helps our family operate more smoothly. There’s less effort put into housecleaning and more value put onto appreciating and taking care of the the few things we do have. I think those are good values to share with my kids.
I agree with you that the endless striving for perfection can add stress. But I don’t think it’s fair to say that ALL people who prefer a minimalist aesthetic or choose it for specific reasons are “consumed” by the drive for perfection, or that our homes are filled with any less love, happiness, or good health.
Angie, I have to agree. Our home isn’t bogged down by dusty curtains or bric-à-brac. What we have displayed is what we love and what gives us pleasure. The rest goes to Goodwill.
Your kitchen, family and outlook are lovely! Forget about keeping up with the Joneses. If you love it and it’s functional, that’s all that matters. I’ve had a few people suggest we replace our old wood parquet flooring. It’s original from when the house was built in 1955 and it shows the wear but I love it! Honestly, they don’t even make it like that anymore. We’ve gotten suggestions from people (trying to sell new windows) to replace the windows and I tell them I love our old windows! They have so much character; they’re not broken, cracked or painted shut, so why change them? We’ve made some improvements to our place in the decade we’ve been here, but only because we wanted to, not because the neighbors have done this or that or the real estate market says this is “in” and this is “out.”
“Perspectacles.” LOVE that word!
I may not have it perfectly, but I remember a story about Mother Theresa and a little boy who was left at their house for the terminally ill. Unexpectedly, the sisters brought him back to health. His prized possession was a beloved rubber ball from a Christmas party.
Once, Mother was on the roof top observing him when a bully took the ball from him and threw it over the fence. The young boy tried to scale the fence, but was unsuccessful. Then he skipped away. Apparently, the ball was not the source and summit of his happiness. I think her point was that we were actually the poor.
Sometimes, when I become dissatisfied with a room, it may just need a little change such as a frilly curtain or on a more rare occasion ~ a deep cleaning.
I love your kitchen and I love your attitude, and I love the dancing. My kitchen is also extremely untrendy but functional (well mostly- the extractor fan is currently on the blink) and used for dancing, particularly to Pete Seeger’s “All Around the Kitchen.”
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I was JUST starting to freak out about my kitchen and then this, like a deep breath, set me free. Screw expectations, I’m having a play date. I may still close and lock that door, though. Ain’t nobody gotta see how free I am.
I am glad you changed your perspective because I think your kitchen is just fine the way it is. Sometimes it seems people think you should update something just because it doesn’t fit the current trend, well I think your current trend is a happy home and family and I think you should stick with it.
Thank you! I just looked in my kitchen, and I love it!
ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS….Thank you for writing so eloquently what needed to be said and what WE all want to say……this piece needs to be in a magazine for ALL women to read…..I feel 100% about myself after reading this! YOU GO GIRL!
Beautiful Post! I love it!
I just love this post! Yea! I love your perspective! Thanks for counting your blessings for all to see!
Oh my! We are about to embark on a similar journey! We moved into our house 7 1/2 years ago, and I LOATHED the kitchen. It’s still the kitchen I have today. It works, but I am more of a cook than the previous owner, so it would be nice if it could work for me. Besides that, it’s terribly UGLY to look at. I spend 85 – 95% of my day in here, so I want it to reflect ME, and be comfortable TO me. Besides that, I don’t know where to begin. I am overwhelmed with choices. I want it to be functional (for me and my use), but I also want it to be practical, and somewhat timeless. (I know styles change and aren’t popular over time, and I don’t want to “have” to change the kitchen in 20 years just because the back splash isn’t “contemporary” anymore.) This is our “forever” house, God willing.
If you’re going to do the kitchen, spend some time doing your homework and asking around for referrals. We ended up with a fabulous cabinetmaker who wouldn’t come look at the kitchen until we’d gone to the shop for a two-hour tutorial on how kitchens are done, and the differences in wood, hardware, and design. My kitchen is lovely and functional, and it was money well spent. We spent far less that way, too. His price was just over half of what the Home Depot kitchen would’ve cost, and it’s WAY nicer.
We just redid our kitchen and we love it! And we are super full of gratitude that we were able to do it (quite affordably), and as much as I love this article, it’s also ok to make improvements to your living space. What I did was send a few months picking options out, pinning them to pinterest, picturing the different materials in our kitchen and consulting with my husband on what he liked or didn’t like. We got tons of tile samples (they look way different in person, and even in the light in your kitchen). We considered the year the house was built (1955) and tried to work some of that mid century charm into it while increasing the light, opening up a wall and putting a breakfast bar between the living room and kitchen so it’s more fun to hang out and keep each other company while making dinner, etc. It made a huge difference! And we didn’t go into debt. We have been here almost 10 years and it was time. We didn’t go with trendy or contemporary. We went with what we liked. It was a really fun project to work on together! We did some little parts of it ourselves and had a great contractor to do the big stuff. We enjoyed sharing our wealth with the workers who did a fabulous job with everything from laying the authentic terrazzo tile to putting in a tubular skylight to brighten it up. We saved money on some things like painting the existing cabinet bodies and just replacing the doors with simple but attractive Ikea doors. We splurged on others like the terrazzo tile because we fell in love with it. Instead of feeling like we needed to move into a newer fancier house, we’ve just made our cute old house so much nicer. I even love washing the floor in there now! Go for it 🙂
I like the idea of sharing the wealth with the workers!
Great after picture. 🙂
Yesterday I visited a friend’s house for the first time. It was beautiful. Full of expensive furniture & gorgeous furnishings. Spotlessly clean & tidy. I went home & looked at our dusty chaos and wondered which was best. But the pile of fabric dumped on be settee is a new garment, designed from scratch & being created. The electronics on the dining room table are from my old computer while my son repairs & upgrades it. The boxes in the lounge are piling up as my daughter prepares to leave for university. In our house, we have talents and we use them. The dust? That shows that I have more interesting things to do that dust too often and everyone else is too busy enjoying life to notice. Thanks for your blog. You are so right.
Love this!! When we moved into our 1978 home seven years ago, I hated the kitchen with every fiber of my being and dreamt of the day when we could remodel. 7 years later, it looks the same as it did when we moved in and I love it. It is dated and ugly, but so functional and more than I could ever need or deserve. I love feeding my family and friends in my kitchen and have no desire to remodel it.
Hi, I clicked on your post from another blog site; toot sweet 4 two. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your message here. I am now adding your site to my “favorites”
THANKS
You just reminded me to be thankful for all I have now–there have been times when I had none of it, or when I was even more unsure of how long I would have these things. My husband and I have a nice home in a nice neighborhood, food on my table, clothes on my back, though nothing of the first quality even though it’s good. I worry about the same things as everyone else, bills, health, children (grown and gone, some married and some with children, but healthy), but we have the right to say and do what we want. Life is good, and thank you for reminding me of that!
I love this SO much. Thank you so much!!! (That Thoreau. Pretty smart guy. 🙂 ) This is wonderful.
Thanks
Amen Sister! I am always mindful to be thankful for the laundry. The stinky-smelly-never-ending laundry because it means that my family has clothes to wear AND it means that I have a family to care for. All blessings.
I really enjoyed your article. We all need more reminders of these things. I am blessed to have a wonderful family and a roof over my head!
I don’t see anything wrong with your kitchen I think its fine the way it is. It suites you and your families needs and it’s perfect.
What a great post! You certainly have your priorities straight! Thank you for reminding me to appreciate my blessings and always share G-R-A-T-I-T-U-D-E!
People who feel the need to tell other people that their stuff needs updating need a reality check. Your home is clean, healthy, and full of love. If you have tiles or granite or whatever the Joneses have, it won’t change that bottom line… Your home is clean, healthy, and full of love! Love your perspective. Keep on keepin’ it real! Thank you!
I think I love you.
Please read “The Patience of Ordinary Things” by Pat Schneider, it is wonderful and I was reminded of it when I read this article of yours. (here is part of it)
The Patience of Ordinary Things
It is a kind of love, is it not?
How the cup holds the tea,
How the chair stands sturdy and foursquare,
How the floor holds the bottoms of shoes
or toes. How the soles of feet know
Where they are supposed to be….
search for it, you’ll love it! Wanda
Oh my goodness…I read this blogpost 3 times this week and shared it and it was shared multiple times on facebook…What a great word for our crazy-out-of-our-heads image driven people up in here! I just read it out loud to my husband and we laughed and cried. I looked up this poem and we read it as well..Yes…this is a lovely poem to and you have my gratitude for posting this as well. In a society where all cups need to match, can we just embrace the beauty of the lovely little tea cup that serves so thanklessly. Can we learn something from this? Can we be little vessels of love that just silently hold those we love and nurture them with just presence? Yeee-haw for some brilliant paradigm shifting blogging. Bring it!
I wish more people would think this way and not buy into HGTV telling us what we have to have in our house. I’m so sad thinking that in five years or so, we’ll have to ‘update’ our kitchen with the required latest counter and floor material, so it will sell. I’ve never understood this. If I was someone that really loved marble counters, I would want to pick them out myself and get just what I want. But rather than spend $5k (we have lots of counter space), people will spend $10k more for our house, and get what we picked out.
Couldn’t have said it better! If everyone did this, more people would be smiling about life! Thank you for the wisdom!!
Yes. It is really a great thought. Once you know the difference between what you NEED and what you WANT, it becomes easy to buy or not to buy something or anything.
I fail to see anything wrong with your kitchen. Nothing was broken or dirty. I think it looks nice and it looks functional. People who made comments to the contrary have way too much time on their hands. Anytime I start thinking I need to upgrade or to get something new, I remember my mother and I stop and re-evaluate if this is something I really NEED or just something I WANT. I grew up in a house with no water heater (well we had one but it didn’t work) so mother boiled water in a tea kettle to wash her dishes and she boiled water in a big boiler so we could take a bath. It worked and somehow we stayed clean. I never heard her complain. She washed our clothes in a wringer washer and hung them on the line and was grateful she didn’t have to use the washboard although she kept it hanging on a hook by the washer just in case. When the well went dry, we had to wait a long time to get a new one drilled and Daddy hauled water in milk cans from a neighbor’s house. We had to use the old outhouse which was not fun due to spiders, splinters, etc. But we survived and nobody whined too much because we still OK and together and when the new well was drilled, we had water again–riches beyond belief even there was no water heater to make it hot. Cold running water was wonderful. So when I start feeling sorry for myself and wishing I had something new, I look at it through my mother’s eyes and am ashamed. I have a washer and dryer and hot water to wash my clothes. I have a vacuum to clean my house. I can take a hot bath without having to boil water. I have a dishwasher. My mother would have fallen to her knees and thanked the Lord for the miracles I take for granted. Sometimes I just need to borrower her eyes and then I am truly grateful.
This comment puts the icing on the cake of Glennon´s lovely article. We do have so very much to be thankful for.
Before I read it, I was thinking of our mother who raised us, in the 60´s and 70´s in a kitchen that was probably 40 or 50 years old. When our neighbors renovated their kitchen my mother put their newer old Chamber´s stove in our kitchen. At the time, I was going through the Sears & Roebuck catalog just dreaming of a new kitchen for her (probably something with avocado green appliances!). Now I feel so proud of her for having such a joyful and loving marriage and for raising four healthy, intelligent children. If she´d been paging through the Sears catalog, she probably would have missed all that.
But, reading your post, puts everything even more in perspective. Your dear mother! What a lot of work! Thank you so very much.
Thank you. I had a friend who would thank the Lord every time he took a shower. He would say thank you for the warm water that comes out of the wall. He gave me a whole new perspective on gratitude. You just took it to a deeper level. Thank you.
Thank you. I hope I never have another shower where I forget to be grateful.
Beautiful, beautiful article. I wish you lived next door to me. Thank you!!
I’ve never understood the concept of replacing a refrigerator because it’s out of fashion. I replace the refrigerator when it quits working and the repairman says it can’t be repaired. Ditto the stove, dishwasher, microwave, oven, coffee pot. I love that you love your kitchen. I know what’s important in my kitchen and how others think it looks is not on the list. Love this blog, love your attitude. You have a beautiful family.
Yikes. I am now removing the subway tile from my Home Depot online cart. Thanks for the reminder. I. Am. Blessed.
Well done.
I’ve just returned from a week in Cuba accompanied by my daughter. We both feel extremely humbled by the kindness, resourcefulness and ingenuity of the Cuban people who give “make do and mend” a whole new meaning. I’ve returned with a determination to rid my home of unwanted, unneeded ” stuff” and henceforth to be forever grateful for all my many blessings. Thank you for your article. I love it. xx
This is wonderful! Thank you so so much for writing this. It was such a pleasure to read. I love the last picture of your family, they’re beautiful! And your husband is smoking hot if I might say. 😉
I want to be you when I grow up. Finally, someone who feels the same way I do!
Really! 80′s counters, laminate cabinets, mismatched appliances…all sound like “First World Problems” to me! In other words…they aren’t problems at all! We are SO LUCKY and it’s amazing to me how many of us forget that. Thanks for the perspective!
Amen! Thanks for voicing what needs to be said more often!
Loved this article!!! Especially poignant was the part where you said: “Sometimes it seems that our entire economy is based on distracting women from their blessings. Producers of STUFF NEED to find 10,000 ways to make women feel less than about our clothes, kitchens, selves so that we will keep buying more. So maybe freeing ourselves just a little from the Tyranny of Trend is a women’s issue – because we certainly aren’t going to get much world changing done if we spend all of our time and money on wardrobe and kitchen changing.
This is an amazing article . . . funny, and yet so true!!! I gave me just the reminder I need to view my life with a grateful heart. Thank you SO much for this well written, wise article.
Love love love your article! I also love my kitchen as it is! Lemon chiffon paint (10 yrs) flooring (up there). Home is where the heart is & the kitchen is where it happens
I absolutely love this!!! Thank you for sharing your story!!! I feel the same way when anyone says something about my smaller place (which makes me very happy) or my some what out of date T.V. I’m retired at 32 because I keep perspective about what matters. I just love the way you described your kitchen!! Marvelous. Thanks again for sharing!
All I can say is you rock!! Loved this post.
Ok, while I love all your reminders of what is truly important and while it’s not really the point of the post I’m seriously trying to figure out why people felt the need to remodel your kitchen. It looked perfectly fine to me! LOL They should watch an episode of hoarders if they want to find people in need of assistance. 🙂
First of all, you are hilarious. Secondly, that is one of the best makeovers I HAVE EVER SEEN! And I’m nothing if not an avid watcher of all shows involving makeovers and remodeling. Thirdly, thanks for the reminder!
Thank you! I love you! I have been wrestling with discontentment a LOT lately. I should know better b/c I have lived in third world countries and even visited people who LIVE INSIDE of garbage dumps!!
And yet that profound statement, “Sometimes it seems that our entire economy is based on distracting women from their blessings.” is SO TRUE!!
I should know better about that too because I have a Public Relations degree!(Advertising’s more subtle sister) Not only do I have STUFF I don’t use, I have education that I don’t even use!
I will now follow your blog, but I wish you lived next door!
~ Tammy
**Love** this. Thank you for a humbling and uplifting post with so much honestly and perspective, and not a hint of self righteousness, just gratitude. LOVE it.
I love this post. You are very smart to know how to look thru your perspectacles and to be thankful for what you have. Anyone trying to keep up with the Joneses will forever be unhappy. Like you, I’m quite happy with what I have. As long as it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Kudos to you!
thank you it so true most off us forget the good great life we have iam thankfull i may not walk all the time but some days i do it just fine an when i cant i read
I love your faucet, and thats a great nice big fridge! looks clean and well loved to me, thats important. if you love it and it works for you, thats all that counts. for some of us its not how a room looks its the love and care that goes in within those walls!
I love this post probably more than any other blog post I have ever read. I am a food blogger, and as much as I love my blogging brothers and sisters, I have been corrected for not calling for organic ingredients which makes me sad. To each his own, but growing up in a middle class home, I was always keenly aware of how much things cost and why we couldn’t buy certain things. I always have been, and always will be thankful that I have food in my cupboard, period. Those that can turn their nose up at food that isn’t good enough for them are super lucky. I just hope they know that.
Thank you for this wise comment. I’m always upset by people who complain about “the chore” of grocery shopping. I feel so blessed 1) to live here in the US where we have such a variety of filled grocery shelves and 2) to have sufficient funds to purchase the food we need (and like). What is there to complain about?