The Ugly Truth

Usually, I just post pictures of our family on holidays and vacations on this blog, but that's not real life. So, I thought I would just give an update/vent about what's going on in our day to day. I think all the blogs and social networking of today are great. It let's us connect with old friends and see a smidgen of what's going on in their lives, but I've found that it also can make you feel a little less than.

Of course, this isn't the fault of those people posting pictures of every vacation, every new outfit, every dance recital, every beautiful room of their professionally decorated house, every new haircut, and every accomplishment they and their children have ever made. I even do it myself sometimes. We're human, and we are proud of our kids, think we're pretty, or want to show off our nice things, but these pictures and stories are not the down and dirty reality. This is just how we would like everyone else to perceive our lives; "look at me and how great I'm doing." With all of the peacocking, we fail to mention some other very real aspects of our lives. For example, your old friend from high school, Ashley, looks as if her existence is the epitome of fabulousness (I made that word up), but she failed to reveal a few of the goings-on in her life. She never blogged about her husband being laid off at work last week. She never posted the pictures of her lower half that display the 20 pounds she has gained. She never shared the details of the final step in her bankruptcy procedure. She didn't give a status update on the medication she now has to give her child in order to keep him from being kicked out of the classroom because of his newly diagnosed ADHD. These were all left out on purpose, of course. Nobody wants to reveal those old scary skeletons in the closet; we like to put pretty, rose colored glasses over our truth and then, post it on the internet. Is that to say I would like to know all about Ashley's woes and think she should share every aspect of her life? No. If she was a close friend, I would already know about all these struggles, and I would be helping in any way I could. And if I couldn't help, I would be praying.

So, to wrap this all up, my hope is that everyone can see blogging and social networking for what they are and not let it discourage them. Don't compare your life and possessions to others; doing this will never allow you to see how truly blessed you are. Remember the grass is rarely, if ever, greener. So, let's keep posting pictures and stories about the great things in life, but maybe we could add a touch of our human struggles here and there just to keep it real. Beware not to go too far, though. It's a sure bet that when you post all the gory details of your life, you not only show how attention-seeking you are, but you will most likely revolt someone.

*THESE ARE THE OPINIONS OF A 28 YEAR OLD NAMED COURTNEY*

To practice what I preach, I'm going to reveal a bit about myself that's just the plain and simple truth. I can't really say anything about my kids, cause let's face it, they're perfect. I'm not bragging; they really are. I've been blessed in the kid department. So, I'll start with myself. Since after Christmas, I've been completely disgusted with myself. I'm a natural born eater, and when you get used to eating all the holiday crap, it's hard to go back to being healthy and just plain smart about food portions. I joined a gym a month ago and have averaged three days a week. I sweat, I lift, I hurt for several days. A month later, the end result...I've gained five pounds. What the heck?? I'm not giving up, though; I'm just going to start doing weight watcher points again daily. Hopefully, that will help. The other day, Corinne patted my tummy while I was doing her hair and asked if there was a baby in there. I've heard other women tell the same story, but it finally happened to me. Maybe I should do four days at the gym.

John and I are extremely grateful to have the full realization that God answered our prayers when it came to whether or not he should have left his job of four years at MGM to go to City Center. It was a tough, scary decision, but we felt led to take the new job; even though we didn't know for sure what the money situation would be. We found out last week that John's position at MGM, front services supervisor, was completely done away with to cut costs. They laid off three of John's friends who held the same position, and each were given six weeks severance and told, "sorry and good luck." So, even though money is tight right now and tips are crazy low because nobody is coming to Vegas at the present, we are overwhelmingly grateful to be employed and have health insurance.

So, there's a little bit of our "real life" at the moment. I hope in someway I made your day by making you feel better about something in your life.