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Katie Did What

Lifestyle Blog | Family | Fitness | Faith

For Granted

By 74 Comments

At the risk of sounding incredibly vague, and somewhat cliché, here we go… Because, if I can’t be real on this blog of mine, then I can’t be real anywhere.  And, sure, most of the time I’m a very upbeat and positive person here, and I’m afraid that sometimes maybe that makes you think that I don’t have my own pain and problems and sadness.  But, I do.  And I don’t want to paint a perfect picture of life.  Because it’s anything but.

This year, I’ve seen this trend spreading through the blogging world, to pick a word for the new year.  A word.  Any word.  And this word will be your word for 2013.  And at first I wasn’t that into it, and thought “meh… I don’t really get it.”  And probably it’s because no word came to mind at first, and I got a little frustrated trying to pick a good one, and one that I hadn’t seen before.  Because, really, there are a LOT of words in the English language, and I didn’t want to just copy someone else’s word, but I mean, let’s be real.  We don’t own these words.  We can all share them, yeah?  So then it kind of just hit me the other night that this is really great.  And the word that popped into my mind wasn’t a word anyway, it was a phrase:

Never take life for granted.  

And that’s the phrase that I’m going to remind myself each morning when I wake up.  And it’s the phrase that’s going to play through my mind all day.  Because surprisingly, it’s kind of an easy thing to do, taking this precious life we have for granted.  Don’t you agree?  I sure have been guilty of it, on many occasions.  But then, life happened.  Like, I mean, LIFE, life.  The messy, scary, upsetting, stomach-wrenching, ugly-tears-inducing LIFE.  And, god, it really sucks when life happens.  And it is really easy to fall into this “woe is me” “Why, GOD?” “Nobody else has ever felt pain like this before” type of mindset.  It’s so easy to succumb to sadness and let it just completely consume every aspect of your being.  Too easy, really.  But you know that poem?  The one you had to memorize probably (at least I did) in like 3rd grade?  “And I, I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”  I choose to take the road less traveled.  I choose to not do what comes easy, and to NEVER take this life for granted and to NOT wallow in sadness.  Because, I mean, we’ve all got something terrible in our lives, but for all that sadness, there’s so much joy, too.  Just the fact that I’ve been given this life, that my savior died for MY sins (and yours, and hers, and theirs!)  Like, WHAT?!  Who am I?  (I’m Jean Valjean!… sorry… I really need to see that movie, like, yesterday.)  Really, though.  I’m nothing by myself.  But guess what.  I’m not just myself.  I’m so much bigger because of this.  And I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  And, hey, really shitty things happen.  I mean, REALLY SHITTY.  (Pardon the language.)  I know this.  All too well.  I do.  But I know that with everything, there is a purpose.  And God has a plan for all of us.  And I just need to accept it and TRUST in Him, and know that I am not alone.  And none of us are.  And I plan on remembering this every time I’m feeling really sad about my life.  Every time I think that this isn’t fair, and why do I have to go through this?  Why me?  Why my family?  Why my MOM?  WHY?  Well, the why isn’t for me to know.  And then I’ll remember to take this precious life and really LIVE with it.  Isn’t that the point, anyway?  Because, none of us are in control.  That’s a pretty crazy thing to accept, but I’ve fully accepted it now.  Who knows what tomorrow brings?  Who cares?  All we have is right now.  All we have is today.  And today is good enough for me.

So.  Will you pledge to live by this phrase in 2013 with me?  Let’s do it together.  Never take this life for granted.  Let’s live each day to it’s fullest, together, and know that God has a plan for us all.
xo

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  6. Katie

    Katie, this is so beautiful and I think it is awesome and amazing that you were able to open up and share this post with us even if it was hard to do. The person posts like this? They are my favorites because it is when I think we can all really come together and get to know one another and just relate. And that is fantastic.

    Your phrase is perfect. It is what we all should be doing but kind of forget to do most of the time. I’m with you! I’m going to use that phrase too. That sad, horrible, depressing woah is me WHY mindset when life happens HAPPENS to me a lot. And I admit that I drown in it and dwell in it. It sucks but I think oh nothing can get better.

    But the truth is we don’t have to do it alone, just like you stated! We have someone with us all the time, listening to us and caring for us and every day ready to take our burdens from us and help us through. And that is really FREAKING AMAZING. I struggle with faith a lot sometimes but over like the past two weeks is when I feel like I have suddenly grown a lot in it and I find myself trusting and seeking God for one of the first times ever and wow. I don’t feel so alone anymore and our God is so so good.

    That verse that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me has been one that I go to and repeat when I am feeling at my most down times. But another one that I love is “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you.” It is beautiful and I love it. And what truth!

    I struggle to trust him but those times that I do, he is good and he has a plan no matter what. And I plan to trust him with everything. Because he loves us so much. I am going to embrace this phrase just like you said. Never take life for granted. We have these precious days and we can’t waste them.

    I am so glad you were able to share this. I really am. If you ever need an extra person to talk to or anything at all, feel free to email me.

    I will be praying & sending lots of love your way.
    xo.

    Katie

    Reply

    • Katie Did What

      Katie, you have the biggest heart. I love love love your long comments, and I hope you never stop them. I love how real you are in them, and your words are always so sweet and motivating. Thank you so much. I love the verse you said, too. So beautiful and so much truth in it. I may take you up on that email, too. :)
      xo

      Reply

  9. Katie

    I am really sorry for the long comment again. I feel bad since the other comments are short and sweet and I like wrote a book. I promise to try harder next time to make my writing shorter.

    Reply

  11. Lindsay

    Amen, sista. I couldn’t have said it better myself, even if I tried. I so know what you mean about all of it – thank you for sharing this, because I needed to read it. We need to be reminded that we aren’t alone, and we do need to appreciate every moment in that moment no matter what ‘chaos’ or ‘situation’ is going on – we need to take the good, always. And, never ever take life for granted. And sometimes, sadly, it takes something huge to happen for us to realize this. I know it did for me. Thank you Katie, for reminding me.And, I too, will wake up never taking life for granted.

    Reply

    • Katie Did What

      Yes, it’s definitely taken something huge for me to realize this, and I wish it didn’t, but such is life. Thank you for your amazingly sweet comment, Lindsay! I’m so glad you took something from this!! <3
      xo

      Reply

  15. krystaladele @ unSAHM

    Good for you. It’s hard to live life this way sometimes and putting it out there this year will make such a difference. It took me a long time to be able to let go and let God. Literally letting go of all the things that cause me stress and worry and letting God take over. Life is way too short to not enjoy it. Get it girl!

    Reply

  22. Elle

    i really appreciate real posts from bloggers–even if they aren’t happy and positive. life sucks sometimes and our blogs should be a place we can vent. i’m also surprised by the amount of support i get from my readers. praying for your family!

    Reply

    • Katie Did What

      Thank you so much for saying that, Elle. I’m glad that people appreciate it!! I am super surprised by all of this support! Everyone is just incredible! And your prayers mean so much to me! <3
      xo

      Reply

  26. Hena Tayeb

    Well said. I have been having some of those ugly, soul crushing days and in the end we’ve got to remember how good we really truly have it and how grateful we need to be for all that we have been blessed with..
    You’re phase of the year should be everyone mantra for life

    Reply

  30. Morgan Reece

    cute cute cute blog! just found it and after i saw the header picture i was done for! {love me some sperry’s} anywho, lookin forward to gettin to know ya better!

    morgan

    morganandnormanreece.blogspot.com

    Reply

  35. Shio Waline

    Oh Katie, you truly have a beautiful spirit! Thanks so much for sharing this!! I always try to keep this phrase in my thoughts but sometimes LIFE gets the best of you or makes you SUPER BUSY!! But thank you for putting this back on my mind, it is always nice to be reminded of this! :) I too, will try to do this daily! We are truly blessed more than we realize! Blessings to you & your fam!

    your friend,
    Shio :)

    Reply

  37. M and L

    Not sure how I missed this incredible post on my feed. Glad I scanned through them all again. Your words gave me chills. In a good way :) Thanks for reminding me how important this is. And again, your mom is in m prayers. Always.

    Reply

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