Comments on: A Woman’s Power During Uncertain Finaincal Times

By: Destiny

Destiny — Tue, 26 May 2009 05:16:18 +0000

I am so happy that the planets aligned just right when I clicked “Stumble”. I needed to read this. My mother-in-law has told me that a wonderful part of being a woman is making something wonderful out of nothing, but I never really got it. There was something so familar about your story, about your “crack house”, my husband and I are that couple that if something bad is going to happen it’s going to happen to us. We moved to a new town for a job that lasted less than a year before he was laid off. Our only vehicle just broke down, I mean it died. We now have to buy another car. We constantly feel like we’re treading water. Our friends are buying houses and cars and going out and what-not and we’re watching hulu and renting a single wide trailer from 1967 for $350 a month. It easy to dwell on what we don’t have. I don’t have a nice new shiny honda hybrid, or nice clothes, or a refrigerator that doesn’t leak. But I do have a loving husband who is my best friend, a gorgeous little girl who can always make me laugh, food that I can cook for us and relish in the fact that I know my family loves what I make. Thanks for reminding me to appreciate all the thing I have and what I can do with everyday things to make our lives a little bit more beautiful.

By: Ashley Julian

Ashley Julian — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:17:44 +0000

Wow, great post! I am so right there, right now.
We just sold our house in Western Washington because we couldn’t afford that lifestyle anymore. I am pregnant with my 4th child and my husband is completely switching careers and is opening a restaurant. We just moved into a rental house that is small and dingy and a little smelly. I am surpised by how content I am here though. I love our little, smelly, spider infested house. I’ve started painting the walls and getting inspired with ways to decorate and make our home beautiful and inviting. Getting rid of the spiders, too.
I keep reminding myself how blessed we are. We live better than 80% of the world, my family is healthy, my marriage is good and my children are happy. I hope that when times are better for us financially that we will continue to live modestly so that we can give more and remember that our treasure is in Heaven.

By: Kia

Kia — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 02:10:18 +0000

Me Ra, I am so thankful to have been blessed by your message in this post today. Where you all were 8 years ago is where my husband and I are today. It seems that all our friends have beautiful homes, but we have to wait due to some bad decisions we made before we were married. I do feel the pressure of “competition” and sometimes embarassed that I don’t have a house that I own. I love photography and am trying to become a photographer, and as recently as last weekend, I had a “friend” remark when I pulled out my camera to take pictures as we were getting ready for an event that “she opted for the camera instead of the house.” I couldn’t say anything back which is very much unlike me because it really stung. Mind you, this same friend has asked me to take pics of her family on numerous occasions and may not have meant anything by it, but it hurt nonetheless. Your words gave me my POWER BACK because though others may not know why I am where I am at this stage in my life – I do and I also know where I came from and where I’m going and I’m THANKFUL that I am HAPPY, SAFE, BLESSED, and LOVED.

By: Jennifer Flake

Jennifer Flake — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:33:16 +0000

I love this post…

…I think you are SO right about how “beauty comes from within”…and how it’s SO easy to forget that and get caught up in the “competitions” of life. At first when I was reading this post I was thinking, “That’s easy for you to say Me Ra…you are creative and can express yourself so well…”…and I of course feel the opposite about myself…but…we all have our own kind of beauty to create. I might not feel like I can turn scrambled eggs into an inviting breakfast…but you know what?? I have never tried. I think that is part of it too…not being afraid to try…

So anyhow…thanks for your thoughts!

By: Kimberlyn Totten

Kimberlyn Totten — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:55:13 +0000

Thank you Me Ra.

By: Addie

Addie — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:21:43 +0000

A post packed with feminine wisdom! Your story made me think of my Grandma who had very little in the way of monetary value and whose household included 10 people but whose home was well known in the community for her hospitality. She never turned anyone away at meal time and somehow always managed to have enough for whoever showed up at her table. And there were people who would inevitably show up on her doorstep at meal time because of this reputation. The beauty and wealth of her home was defined by her love and compassion. As a child I couldn’t fully appreciate that. But as a mother of three I now realize just how wonderful an example my Grandmother set for me and what kind of home I want my children to remember being raised in. Thanks, Me Ra, for bringing back such wonderful memories with your personal reflection.

By: amber

amber — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:09:43 +0000

I have to agree with Brian : ) Thank you for your heart, Me Ra. Somehow you express for me the thoughts that are hiding deep in my heart but can’t find their way out. It has been very hard for me to create lately, but I’m in a garage – my bro-in-law’s garage, where it’s hot while the kids are napping and dark all the time, where I probably need it now more than ever. I’m trying to break out of the physical circumstances that surround me and make it beautiful again. It’s coming, but it has been hard. Thanks for the encouragement.

By: Haley

Haley — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:41:01 +0000

Thank you so much for this. I stumbled upon it this afternoon, and it reminded me of all that I have to be thankful for. My husband and I have been marred just over 2 months, and already it is easy to lose sight of what really matters, to become envious of his sister who is buying a home, or the women I know having babies already. Thank you for reminding me to be happy in my present, right where I am.

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:19:37 +0000

Thank you so much for this post! As a stay at home mom that works part-time from home, and who is trying to start a photography business, money never seems to be around for the “extra fun stuff,” and barely the necessities. I hate that I have had the feeling of not wanting people to come to my house or seeing my car because I feel like they will judge me; instead of knowing how hard we have worked and feeling pride for who we are. As a mom, I constantly feel guilt because we do not have the money for extra activities for our kids..soccer, dance, etc.
Me Ra, this post and the following comments have helped me to regain some focus on what is truly important. Thanks!

By: Karina

Karina — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:15:14 +0000

Dear Me Ra,
Thank you, today was the perfect day for me to read your words. I sit here crying, crying is a good release, thank you!
xox k.