The Small Stuff

I read this post today from one of the bloggers on Military SpouseBuzz: Ever Sweat the Small Stuff?. I love the part where she says, "Nothing is normal during deployment. Everything is normal during deployment. Some things are important; most others aren't. Many times, it will be hard to tell the difference."

As she said, sometimes you're so busy handling the big things, you don't have time to freak out. Then when you get a moment to reflect - bam! Major freak-out.

I've had a couple of freak-outs, mostly over small stuff that I could handle any other time. When my 12 year-old car made it clear that I would have to make some repairs or replace the car, I freaked out. What's the big deal? It's a car. Periodically, you have to fix it or get a newer one. But I've treated the decision to trade in this car like a life-altering event. Should we fix it? Should we buy new or used? Is it time for a minivan? Should we consider a hybrid? Each question becoming a larger and larger mountain.

I have a business degree. I could prepare a decision matrix. I could even just go for it and buy a new car. Instead, this decision paralyzed me - one more part of my life on hold because HunnyB isn't here. But recently we made the decision to retire the old car and buy a new one. I am finally free!

I've come to the conclusion that the rules need an amendment for deployment.

Rule 1: Don't sweat the small stuff.

Rule 2: It's all small stuff.

Rule 3: Rules were made to be broken. Sometimes you're gonna sweat the small stuff. Be patient and forgive yourself when you do.