{Normally, we try to make our Mondays mindful around here, but since Monday is a holiday for many of us, we’re starting our week with a mindful Monday/Tuesday. And what a great thing to be grateful for ~ starting a short week after a restful long weekend!}
Words for a Mindful Moment
“When You Open Up to Life as it Is” by Pema Chodron
“When you open yourself up to the continually changing, impermanent, dynamic nature of your own being and of reality, you increase your capacity to love and care about other people and your capacity to not be afraid. You’re able to keep your eyes open, your heart open, and your mind open. And you notice when you get caught up in prejudice, bias, and aggression…. And you begin to think of your life as offering endless opportunities to start to do things differently.”
Moments of Gratitude
A friend once told me that with each stage her children entered, she would think, “I love this! This stage is the BEST!” And then that phase would pass, they would enter a new one, and she would think, “Okay, no, THIS stage is the best!”
This week, I am taking time to reflect on what I love about the stage my children are in now, knowing that this changing, impermanent, dynamic time will soon pass, bringing endless opportunities to do new things differently.
Because I love this phase, and have already caught myself saying it is the BEST. I love that my children LOVE hanging out with their parents, LOVE to hold my hand in public, and LOVE to play with each other.
*****
On Sunday, we took our children to the Minnesota State Fair. It was by far our most enjoyable family excursion to the fair ~ no strollers, no worries about naps interfering with the day’s schedule. The kids behaved, we ate yummy treats, and enjoyed the rides. My favorite moment was taking my daughter on the Tilt-A-Whirl. Last year, at a different carnival, I took my children on the Tilt-A-Whirl, and this happened:
Luckily, we were the only ones on the ride, and the operator, seeing my terrified children, immediately stopped the ride. My son got down and proclaimed the Tilt-A-Whirl to be “very, very dangerous.”
But yesterday, my daughter decided she was ready to try it again. And she loved it! We had a blast twirling and shrieking and laughing. She impressed me with her courage and reminded me of how fast she is growing up and how daring she is becoming.
I also love how nurturing my daughter is toward her little brother. After each ride at the fair, she would wait for him to get down and show him to the exit. She could usually unbuckle herself from the ride, and then she would go over to help Liam get out of his seat. It warmed my heart.
*****
This summer, I have loved watching my children develop their own friendships. While in some ways it is a painful reminder of their forever pulling-away from their mother, I’ve loved seeing my children’s friendships deepen over the summer. They are learning how to compromise, to speak up about their needs, to show compassion for a friend, and to laugh and play in ways I would never think of. I am grateful indeed to watch it happen.
*****
I am also loving that at these ages, when we get together with my family, my children can play with their cousins and have “kid time” while my husband and I can actually talk with the grownups in the family. We had a great Labor Day/Birthday get-together for my father yesterday, reminding me again of how grateful I am to have my parents and sister and family so close by. I loved having a family gathering in which I didn’t have to constantly hover over my children. I’m sure my children loved it that way, too.
*****
Finally, I love love LOVE how excited my daughter is for the first day of school. She has been counting down the days until first grade for weeks. I love her eagerness to learn, and how thrilled she is to have homework this year! I am thankful for the first-grade teachers providing this little gift of “magic confetti” for students to help calm back-to-school nerves and excitement so they can get a good night of sleep before the big day. I may need some tonight, too. 🙂
“Here’s some magic confetti, it really is cool.
It will help you be rested and ready for school.”
*****
What are YOU thankful for this week?
- A Mindful Approach to New Year’s Resolutions - January 13, 2020
- Just This Next Step - December 16, 2019
- WAIT: A Mindfulness Practice for Waiting in Line - December 9, 2019
