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Feeling like you’re down and out?
Everything is a struggle? Life too hard?
The amount of times I felt like this when I was a single mum, doing everything on my own with no help. Money was always a constant stress.
Even worse, I was a young mum so people were always giving me advice whether I asked for it or not. Of course it didn’t help that my child was covered head to toe in eczema – People had a lot of well meaning suggestions on that. Everyone seemed to know the miracle cure. The other aspect people felt they could comment on was that my child was very active and I was constantly asked if she had ADHD. I would reply no, she was just incredibly active, but she became know as the little “Hurricane”.
So you’re low? No money and all you want to do is nothing? Yip, been there. I would always feel we couldn’t afford anything. My friends were always going out and everything needed money thrown at it and I had none.
But the great thing about children is they only want to explore and have fun. Our fun was the beach. We spent a lot of time exploring it, making castles in the sand, playing in the water together and lots of time talking.
Of course we also explored the many playgrounds in our area. Tried a new one every week. I would save my money for gas just to make the day trip to the playgrounds.
Money is what we need to survive and if you are on a welfare benefit it only just makes ends meet, although some weeks it didn’t even come close. I would sit up at night and work out my budget and wonder how the hell were we going to make it that week. If you are reading this you may know that feeling. Isn’t it dreadful? I hated it.
I remember one time we had gone to the beach. I was delaying dinner because I didn’t have enough food for a satisfying meal and I knew that if I gave my child noodles again she was going to get upset. We were walking the beach she was chatting away and I was thinking how much I hated my life. All I needed was a little help…. I looked down and there was $10 floating in the water.
I couldnt believe it! It felt like we had won the lottery. We were so excited and it was so timely. I needed a win and there is was. We decided to treat ourselves and get fish and chips. We hadn’t been able to have them in months and I have to say they were the best fish and chips we had ever had.
I think on that day often, about how the universe provided. In one moment that tiny WIN made a massive impact. It gave me a drive to do better. It made me determined to not get myself into that situation again. I looked for ways to better our life.
I guess the reason i am sharing this is let you know you are not alone. I say to anyone who will listen that the universe does provide but you have to work hard and be open to see. If i hadnt of looked down that day i wouldnt of enjoyed not only a wonderful meal but i wouldn’t of learnt that valuable lesson.