So this morning, I posted the following on Facebook:
I needed to stop at the bank to give my 6 year old money for the
Chanukah toy bazaar. Since we were in the car, I decided
we'd play a game I called, "I notice" (to reinforce mindfulness)
Me: I notice a long skinny cloud pointing across the sky.
What do you notice?
6 year old: (shrugs)
Me: I notice those bushes are all rusty brown and look soft as feathers.
What do you notice?
6 year old: I guess the cloud looks like a dragon's head...
Me: I notice that flag is blowing in the wind.
What do you notice?
6 year old: I notice you just passed the bank...
Good noticing.
She must've taken the advanced course on staying present.
And I realized what a delicate balance I am always playing. On the one hand, I am running around doing, doing, doing. Always trying to cross stuff off the list. In semi panic mode all day as thoughts like “Wait -- I have to remember to go to the dry cleaner! Oh! I have to drop off a check! I need to reserve a hotel for my upcoming trip. I have to shop for snacks...I have to...” An endless stream of meaningless obligation.
Or it’s the other way: “I have to be focused. I have to be present. I have to be strong. I have to be confident. I have to be...” This morning it was, “I have to be mindful, and the kids do, too.”
I suddenly realized I was in like a duck in a shooting gallery, back and forth, “I have to do...I have to be...I have to do...I have to be...”
Then it occurred to me. It’s time to stop legislating and trying to control my environment. It’s time to slow down, but not in a drag-my-heels kind of way...rather, in a way that serves both me and those around me, so that I create the life I want.
Holding on to setting intentions which prevent unnecessary chaos, while letting go of time wasters.
Holding on to being open, to letting the plan stay loose...because I need that freedom to spontaneously create whatever inspires me, and letting go of needing to “get it right.”
Instead of playing “I notice” - just simply “notice” and appreciate all that is around me - with no attachment to any outcomes as a result of that noticing.
To trust that the universe will ensure that I get the things done that I need to, and that I can just be me.
And feel secure that if the universe lets me down, I have children who will lovingly point out that I just went past the bank.
I needed to stop at the bank to give my 6 year old money for the
Chanukah toy bazaar. Since we were in the car, I decided
we'd play a game I called, "I notice" (to reinforce mindfulness)
Me: I notice a long skinny cloud pointing across the sky.
What do you notice?
6 year old: (shrugs)
Me: I notice those bushes are all rusty brown and look soft as feathers.
What do you notice?
6 year old: I guess the cloud looks like a dragon's head...
Me: I notice that flag is blowing in the wind.
What do you notice?
6 year old: I notice you just passed the bank...
Good noticing.
She must've taken the advanced course on staying present.
And I realized what a delicate balance I am always playing. On the one hand, I am running around doing, doing, doing. Always trying to cross stuff off the list. In semi panic mode all day as thoughts like “Wait -- I have to remember to go to the dry cleaner! Oh! I have to drop off a check! I need to reserve a hotel for my upcoming trip. I have to shop for snacks...I have to...” An endless stream of meaningless obligation.
Or it’s the other way: “I have to be focused. I have to be present. I have to be strong. I have to be confident. I have to be...” This morning it was, “I have to be mindful, and the kids do, too.”
I suddenly realized I was in like a duck in a shooting gallery, back and forth, “I have to do...I have to be...I have to do...I have to be...”
Then it occurred to me. It’s time to stop legislating and trying to control my environment. It’s time to slow down, but not in a drag-my-heels kind of way...rather, in a way that serves both me and those around me, so that I create the life I want.
Holding on to setting intentions which prevent unnecessary chaos, while letting go of time wasters.
Holding on to being open, to letting the plan stay loose...because I need that freedom to spontaneously create whatever inspires me, and letting go of needing to “get it right.”
Instead of playing “I notice” - just simply “notice” and appreciate all that is around me - with no attachment to any outcomes as a result of that noticing.
To trust that the universe will ensure that I get the things done that I need to, and that I can just be me.
And feel secure that if the universe lets me down, I have children who will lovingly point out that I just went past the bank.
RSS Feed
