Epiphanies

In the past few days I have had two very important realizations. Both happened to occur while I was watching TV.

The first struck me while I was checking for GOP updates on CNN. Instead, I found Suze Orman on Piers Morgan Tonight. I don't like Piers Morgan, so I was about to change the channel but then I realized that they were talking about the economy.

Basically, they were talking about what they thought could fix our economy and put people back to work. Suze's answer hit me right between the eyes. Here's what she said:

(In case you can't get the video she says, "I think the answer is people are going to have to become entrepreneurial. They are going to have to become their own bosses. The day of working for a corporation, you get a pension after thirty years, and health benefits--gone! So if you really want to be secure, you are going to have to be your own boss.")

Now, you may be thinking, "But, Stacy, that's exactly what your family is doing." Yes it is. But I have always looked at it wrong. Up until this moment, I thought Joe and I were behind everyone else. I thought our struggles were a sign that we should go back to school, look for another job, etc. But then I always remember that we have looked for work. We have added Joe's resume to a stack of 5,000 other hopefuls'. Usually this is hours and hours wasted with no results. Once he did get a job that treated him terribly, made him work nights, and promised him hours that they didn't deliver so they wouldn't have to give us health insurance. Once he spent months studying and taking tests to qualify for a job that ended up making nothing.

So my point: I now realize that I can name a dozen people off the top of my head who are unemployed, underemployed or working in an unrelated field to their degree and are unhappy. According to Suze, most of these people are going to have to make their own jobs. So this whole time I thought we were behind and we were actually ahead. Joe loves his job. He loves building a business with his own two hands, getting to be involved in every aspect, and watching it grow each month. Sure there are ups and downs. Sure we struggle some months. But I can honestly say that I am proud of what Joe does. He is good at what he does. I love that he wants to grow a business and give other people jobs. I love that we get to do this together. And I especially love moments like these when Heavenly Father lets me know that we are exactly where we are supposed to be, doing exactly what we are supposed to be doing.

On to Epiphany #2:

(Image from eonline.com)
This one will be shorter, I promise. I was watching 19 Kids and Counting and I heard Michelle Duggar say that gall bladder pain/surgery was worse than any of her 19 labor and deliveries and even worse than kidney stones. She said (and I quote), "It was the worst pain I have EVER felt!" (emphasis added).

Now growing up, I was known as the wuss in my family. Anytime I was in pain I was reminded that what I was going through wasn't actually that hard, it was just that I was not very tough. And sure, I passed out a few times getting shots, starting a lawn mower, and once in Clairs getting my ears pierced when I was 19. But according to Michelle Duggar I am a superhero. (She didn't actually say that but I'm assuming she would think so.) According to Michelle Duggar, I have been through the most painful thing a human can endure. (Again, assuming but not far off the actual quote.) So I think I deserve an apology from my family. That's all.