Checking My Character: Choosing Patience and Kindness When Frustration Rises

 

What’s up, wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people? How are you all doing today? I hope you’re having an amazing day, and whatever you do, don’t let anybody steal your joy! Welcome back to Maryam’s Joyful Life. It is a beautiful day, and I am super excited to be here with you today for a little honest heart-to-heart.

Today, I want to share a moment of personal reflection about my character, patience, and how easy it is to let frustration get the best of us if we aren't watchful.

The Pre-K Pickup Routine

If you are a parent, you know the drill with school drop-offs and dismissals. At my kids' school, I pick them up through the Pre-K dismissal lane during the late pickup window. The rule is simple: you have to be in line by 3:30 PM. If you aren't there by then, the office calls your phone at 3:45 PM, and you have to park, walk inside, and sign all the paperwork to sign them out.

I understand the system and respect the rules. So far, I’ve only been late once—and that was because I got delayed while getting new tires installed on my truck. It took longer than expected, and even though I rushed over, it hit 3:45 PM, so I parked, went inside, signed them out, and took my babies home. No problem.

Because I don't like being inconvenienced or having to park and sign out, I make a conscious effort to arrive early every single day. Usually, the staff has the kids walking out right around 3:27 PM, and I'm sitting right there waiting for them to hop in.

The Moment the Fire Rose

The other day, I drove the car over early, expecting everything to run like clockwork.

• 3:27 PM came and went—no kids.

• 3:28 PM, the staff walked inside.

• 3:29 PM rolled around, and people were just looking at me.

• By 3:31 PM, nothing was moving.

Suddenly, a wave of intense frustration washed over me. In my mind, I started calculating: If I had been late by even one minute, I’d be forced to go inside, do paperwork, and jump through hoops. But when I show up early, I’m left sitting here waiting!

Before I knew it, I hopped out of the car, marched straight up to the entrance door, knocked, and blurted out, "Where are my kids?"

Right as I knocked and the door opened, the staff was already leading the kids out. But inside, I felt like I was breathing smoke and fire. I was ready to argue. My face probably looked like pure thunder.

Looking in the Mirror: Choosing Grace Over Rage

I got back into the car with the kids, buckled everyone in, and took a deep breath. As the adrenaline cooled down, I looked in the mirror and had an honest conversation with myself:

Could I have been more patient? Just a little bit more patient to see what was happening instead of charging up to the door demandingly?

The truth was: Yes, I could have.

Two or three minutes of delay wasn't going to ruin my life, but charging up with anger could have easily ruined someone else's entire workday. Those teachers and staff members are working hard, managing countless children, and doing their best.

Our reactions have power. In any given moment, the energy we bring can either make someone’s day better or make it significantly worse.

Moving Forward With Intention

Starting today, I’m holding myself to a higher standard of grace:

1. Give grace for delays: If dismissal is running behind, pause, breathe, and extend the benefit of the doubt.

2. Watch the tone: If I ever need to step up to the door to ask a question, I will do it with calm words, a warm smile, and patience.

3. Guard your character: Never let an inconvenience turn you into someone you don't want to be.

Let’s choose kindness, even in uncomfortable and frustrating situations. Character isn't proven when everything goes smoothly—it’s proven in how we respond when things get delayed.

Have an amazing day, keep walking in love, and never let anyone steal your joy!

Need guidance on buying or selling a home in the Permian Basin, or ready to book your next dream vacation? Call or text me at 470-765-2745!

Showing Up for Others: The Power of Loyalty, Gratitude, and Genuine Care

 

What’s up, wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people?

How are y’all doing today?

Thank you so much for checking out my blog today. It’s truly a beautiful day, and I hope these posts have been touching your hearts and making a real difference in your life — because that is always my goal. If you found this blog today, it’s not by accident. You needed to see this message for your own unique situation. For some of you, it may simply be a reminder of what you already know and what you already feel deep down. Either way, I’m grateful to be able to share from my heart.

Today, I want to talk about what it truly means to be there for others.

Recently, I found myself in a situation filled with many opinions. I listened — and the more I listened, the clearer it became that not all opinions deserve weight. That experience sparked a deeper question in me:

What does it actually mean to show up for someone?

When do you show up?

And who should you show up for?

For me, the answer became very clear.

When someone has been there for you — whether in big ways or small ways — and their presence has genuinely impacted your life, that matters. I’m talking about the people who help take care of your kids, support you when you need it, watch your children so you can make it to an appointment, help clean your home, or simply make your life a little easier.

Sometimes it’s the little things:

Someone making you a sandwich with love.

Someone washing your bathroom.

A daycare provider, a housekeeper, a janitor, a helper — anyone whose consistency brings peace and convenience into your life.

Those “little” things are not little at all. They reduce stress. They create space. They allow you to focus on the things that matter most to you.

And when someone has shown up for you like that — consistently, faithfully, without hesitation — I believe you are obligated to show up for them when they need you. Not out of pressure, but out of gratitude and integrity.

It doesn’t have to be extravagant. Showing up doesn’t always mean money. It can mean consistency, presence, prayer, encouragement, guidance, or connecting them to resources you know about. Even if you don’t have financial means, you still have something — human connections, information, wisdom, compassion.

If someone has always been there when you needed them, and you’re in a position to help when they need you, then you do everything you can. You don’t overthink it. You don’t second-guess yourself. You don’t consult everyone else to decide if they’re “worthy” of your help.

Ask yourself the real questions:

Have they shown up for you?

Have they been reliable?

Have they helped without hesitation?

Have they made your life easier in any way?

If the answer is yes, then it is a good thing to show up for them too.

Showing up means checking on them. Asking about their projects. Taking genuine interest in their life. Letting them know you care — and doing it with joy. When someone has shown loyalty to you, they deserve love, appreciation, and support in return.

This is not the time to hesitate. This is not the time to overanalyze. This is the time to be grateful that you get the opportunity to show up.

I truly believe that God blesses those who extend a helping hand. When you show up for others, God shows up for you. When you give from your heart — even from what feels like a small resource — God multiplies it in ways you could never imagine. Help will locate you from known and unknown places. Doors will open, and you’ll look back and say, “Wow… how did this even happen?”

That’s God.

So today, I want to remind you:

When someone has been kind to you, loyal to you, supportive of you — whether in big ways or small ways — and they come to you in need, do everything you can. Give from what God has blessed you with. Share information. Offer guidance. Pray. Connect. Support.

In all things, give thanks to the Lord and seek His guidance. In His presence is joy, provision, and peace. God can take what seems small in your hands and turn it into something miraculous — far beyond what your natural mind could ever calculate.

You are loved.

Don’t let anyone steal your joy.

Be there for those who have been there for you.

It is a good thing to help those who have shown you care and loyalty.

Thank you for checking this out today.

Bye 💛

Double Blessings Find You

 

Isn’t it amazing how life sometimes surprises us in the most beautiful ways?

Have you ever wanted something for a long time, planned for it, saved for it, finally gathered the resources and said, “Okay, I’m getting this for myself”—only to discover that someone else had already gotten the exact same thing for you as a gift? Not similar. Not close. The exact thing.

That’s what I call a double blessing.

What makes it even more powerful is when it comes from an unexpected source. Those moments remind us that we are never alone, never overlooked, and never forgotten.

Recently, I was speaking with one of my clients who shared a story that truly made my heart smile. He had gone out and purchased three things for himself—items he genuinely needed and wanted. Later, he found out that someone else had already bought those exact same three items for him as gifts. Because of that, he was able to return what he purchased with his own money and keep what was gifted to him instead.

When he told me, I laughed and joked, “You must have been really nice this year—Santa remembered you!” He was surprised, but more than that, he was genuinely happy. And honestly, so was I.

Stories like that remind me how intentional God is. Nothing is random. Nothing is wasted.

So today, I want to pause and speak life over you.

I want to pray for you.

That thing that feels impossible right now…

That thing you’ve been saving for…

That thing you’ve been quietly praying about…

That miracle you’ve been believing for…

I’m praying that God places it in the heart of someone who already has the resources to make it happen for you. I’m praying that divine supply finds you right where you are. I’m praying for grace, favor, and supernatural provision to meet you in ways you never imagined.

In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.

You are blessed beyond measure.

Miracles are beginning to unfold right in front of you.

Get ready—because it’s about to happen.

You will rejoice. You will rejoice.

Declare this with confidence:

“I will rejoice. The thing I desire—God has already placed it in the heart of someone to do it for me. Someone with the resources to bless me. And it’s coming as a gift.”

It’s coming.

It’s already in motion.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

And remember—don’t let anyone steal your joy.

What’s meant for you is finding you.