"That must be nice!"

Maybe it's just me, but this saying drives me absolutely nuts! I have been the receiving end of this saying before and I have also been the one who thinks it. But, I have recently learned how to change this view and I think that others could use a reminder as well.

Kasey and I both work pretty much full time, him definitely full time and me the pretty much. We are both crazy busy and always worn out. I know we aren't the only ones. The other night, I was closing at my work and I thought to myself, "I want to go get away for just two days!" I had recently seen on Facebook how several of my friends were enjoying the last bit of summer vacation at the beach, concerts, on a planned trip, and even on random road trips. I must admit, I wanted that too! I called Kasey and I said, "We both have a day off tomorrow and you don't work until 10pm on Thursday, let's go to the cabin and spend some time together!" I guess I should now admit that I am the spontaneous- do life as it comes one- and Kasey is definitely the let's plan this out three months in advance one. After a long back and forth conversation, he reminded me that it was 11pm at night and the cabin is 3 hours away. He also reminded me that we have two dogs and we were on a budget at the time. So, we didn't go. 

I was kind of crabby about the whole situation because I wanted to be like all my friends, living my life to the fullest during the last part of summer! But then it hit me....

At 22 and 20, we have a home. Not renting- a literal home. We have furnished this home with furniture and decorations. Now, maybe you're reading this and thinking, "Well I'm 26 and I can't afford a house, must be nice!" But instead, train your mind to see this differently. Maybe you don't have a house, but maybe you only work part time and you love your nights and weekends and free time to spend doing whatever you want! Maybe you love cars and you have spent your extra money on restoring old cars and you have several cars that no one else has. Or maybe, you love clothes and you have a closet fit for a queen! Whatever it is, remember that your choices have landed you there. 

Kasey and I couldn't pack up and leave that night because we have made choices that have made spontaneous road trips not possible at the moment. We make a sacrifice so that we can have other things in life that we want. We are "living like no one else now, so we can live like no one else later." Can you guess who said it? Ding, ding, ding the famous Dave Ramsey! I told you I was a huge fan! 

So remember this, if you sit and wallow in the fact that your car isn't the latest and greatest, you will spend far too much time wallowing and far too less time being grateful for what you do have. Also remember that you have made a choice to have what you have and it is no one else's fault that you don't have something. The next time you find yourself saying or thinking "that must be nice", think about why that person has what they do. Maybe they are in debt $50,000 because of that fancy new car and you are debt free! Just a thought.