Using What You Have

Several times each day the phrase “Using what you Have” can be heard, as people learn to get by using less and in general try out a simpler form of living. However, a homeschooling family has used this phrase, worn it out, and then some before the term was even cool.

Using what you have can mean so many different things depending upon whom you talk with. When we think of this term or phrase, we are usually talking about material things or the lack thereof. It can mean substitutions, one less trip to the store, repurposing something old, and the list could go on.

However, the term “Using what you Have” that I am talking about has nothing to do with material objects, it has to do with people. I am talking about using what you have inside yourself, your children, your husband, and those around you. Homeschooling families always talk about using a curriculum to fit their own needs and not becoming a slave to that product. Have we ever really taken a moment and applied these same principles to our own lives?

Each individual has strengths and weaknesses, yet we let the strengths of others leave us in our weaknesses wondering why we can’t achieve that same goal. Oh, we have all been there, sitting with a group of other homeschooling parents listening to all that each one has accomplished this week, yet feeling the pings of our weaknesses because we haven’t accomplished even a quarter of what those families did.

“Using what you have” termed for homeschoolers and their families goes something like this, first of all use your own strengths to pull you through any situation. As a parent of one or many, days are tough enough without the added put downs to yourself because you focus only on the weaknesses. Find one strength about yourself each week and progress until you can find one strength in not only yourself but someone else around you.

The second step to “Using what you have” is using your husbands’ strengths to better your own weaknesses. Husbands are awesome at helping but we have to remember to let them make their own way about doing something. He may do something completely opposite as to how you would do that same task but he will get it done. In the end your strengths and his strengths will complement each other, if they don’t already.

The third step in this process is to use your child(ren)s’ strengths to complete the family unit as a whole. Whatever weaknesses the child has it can be seen as an opportunity for that child to work on but only after you pick one of your own weaknesses to work on.

The fourth step is to use the strengths of others and offer your own strengths to them in return. Many blessings are lost between people because they don’t rely on each other as people did in the past. It becomes a give and take relationship while helping each other build upon weaknesses and strengths together.

The last step in this process is to enjoy yourself, your husband, your children, and those around you. Worry a little less about what you haven’t done and start focusing on what you have done. We are all created as unique as snowflakes. Remember no two are exactly the same.

Amanda can be found at All American Family trying to live out her version of the American dream alongside her family.

No related posts.