Acres of Diamonds
Oh wait, we also have a science fair project due t.o.m.o.r.r.o.w.
We?
I mean Garrett.
Lack of preparation, planning, and just the fact that he is totally not into this project, although he chose the subject matter and title, and scored two hamsters out of the deal, is not going to make for a stress-free night. I am certain.
As a matter of fact, I think he wants me to do the project for him….
Here is the Simple Abundance message I will share with you today.
‘Few motivational talks have influenced or inspired as many people as the famous Victorian lecture that was known as “Acres of Diamonds“. Russell H. Conwell, a former newspaper correspondent and minister, delivered his speech more than six thousand times between 1877 and 1925. When it was published it became an immediate best-seller and a classic in inspirational literature.
The story Conwell told in his lecture had enormous appeal. It recounted the life of a Persian farmer named Ali Hafed who sold his farm and left his family to travel the world in search of wealth. He looked everywhere but he could not find the diamonds he lusted after. Finally, alone and in despair as a homeless pauper, he ended his own life. His search for riches had consumed him. In the meantime, the man who bought the land from Hafed was grateful for every blade of grass that was now his and lavished love and hard work in his farm. At night, surrounded by his family and eating the fruits of his labor, he was a content man. Finally one day he made a remarkable discovery. In the backyard that Ali Hafed had abandoned was a diamond mine- literally an acre of diamonds. The simple farmer became wealthy beyond his wildest dreams.
Conwell used this parable to illustrate an extraordinary and wonderful message: within each of us lies a wellspring of abundance and the seeds of opportunity. For each of us there is a deeply personal dream waiting to be discovered and fulfilled. When we cherish our dream and then invest love, creative energy, perseverance, and passion in ourselves, we will achieve an authentic success.
Where is your acre of diamonds? If you could do anything in the world, what would it be? Yes, that very thing right now that you believe is impossible! Would you open a store, nurture a family, design a dress, write a screenplay?
We all have an acre of diamonds waiting to be discovered, cherished, and mined. We all have a place from where to begin. Let your imagination soar, for it is your soul’s blue print for success. On the Simple Abundance path you will discover that your own opportunity for personal success, authentic happiness, and financial serenity is as close as your own backyard.’- Sarah Ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance A Daybook of Comfort and Joy
I needed this today. I really needed it. Imagine that.
Some days I wonder if I am making the right choice.
I have always dreamt of being home with my kids, and I have that now. Yet, there are days I dream of going back to work.
I feel like the world rests on my shoulders.
I feel over looked.
I feel that the other biological aspects of Garrett’s and Anthony’s lives really just get off very, very easy. Again, the joys of a blended family. (Garrett is my son from my first marriage and Anthony is Lenny’s son from his first marriage and they both live with us.)
They do not have to deal with the meltdowns every evening when it is time to do homework. They do not have to worry themselves about the educational goals of these boys, I take care of that.
Essentially, they take the title of hero in the eyes of their children. The parents that are visited on the weekend, no need for many rules, no need for much structure, life is fun and the relationship is seemingly very much a friendship.
And then there is chasing the twins.
The baby is in my lap or on my hip.
Cleaning up the messes.
That seven letter word that starts with an ‘L’ and ends with a ‘Y’.
The hurry up and wait a minute.
The errands and chores.
The ‘I hate you’s’ and ‘you’ve ruined my life’s’.
The meltdowns over ‘this is what’s for dinner?’. (Oh no you didn’t! )
Sometimes I just want my space. Stop climbing on me. Give me a breather, would you?
I just think… I want a job. A job that pays me. That income I used to make.
A job that gets me out of the house and some adult time and conversation.
Achievements larger than toilets and dishes.
And then I finally get them to bed, after the dinner chaos and bath time craziness, I reflect.
I love them all so much, but do not ask me at 9:00 pm on a school night what would I do right now, if I could do anything in the world, because my answer would likely involve a one bedroom apartment in downtown, living off of take-out menus and a closet full of high heels.
Still I know, This is what I am supposed to be doing. This is what I dreamt of for years. This is my acre of diamonds.
But still, sometimes I cry.
I always seem to make it through to tomorrow.
I feel very silly when I put it all in perspective.
Afterall, I need them, just as much as they need me.
‘Your diamonds are not in far distant mountains or in yonder seas; they are in your own backyard, if you but dig them up.’ – Russell H. Conwell
Something really cool….
While searching online for information about Acres of Diamonds, I found a website for an organization in Washington State that is designed to help homeless women and children get back on their feet.
The name of their program? I knew you would ask.
Acres of Diamonds, of course.
Their mission seems to come straight from the story inspired by Russell H Conwell.
‘Acres of Diamonds is a transitional Christian home established to serve single homeless women and their children by providing them with structure and nurture as they work to become productive members of their community. Located in Duvall, Washington, Acres of Diamonds (Acres) seeks to positively impact the quality of life for the women who are \”diamonds in our own backyard.\” ‘- copied from the Acres of Diamonds website
This my friend, is something to be grateful for.
Crystal, I so sympathize w/ your feelings. I had some of them when my kids were younger too. But (& I know how trite this sounds) too soon you will have a house that is full of only "grownups". I still have messes to clean up, but they are created by a husband! And sometimes by my 3 wonderful grandkids. You just need to get away occassionally & maybe have tea or coffee w/ a friend to "refresh" the sanity …(Call me!)
~Becki
Becki, I have no idea how my mother, you, and all the other moms out there, made it through this journey with the sanity to share the story with others.
I know this is just a chapter in my life, and I really know someday I will miss this, but there are days that I could literally pull my hair out one strand at a time.
And please tell me that husbands some day clean up after themselves… please! They really are 4 year olds that shave, aren't they? (And we trust them with razors?)
Let's do coffee sometime! I would love to see you, it's been years! You know, Starbucks is my favorite. We really need to get our families together!