Overwhelmed is how I've been feeling lately due to obligations, dealing with illness, dealing with difficult people, dealing with homeschooling my toddler part-time and always being "on" and 100% at my best, dealing, dealing...there's always a challenge in our path as mothers. As humans beings. Such is life. Therefore, I've been forced to use all these wonderful "tools" in my "emotional toolbox". I wanted to share a simple tactic that has helped me get through these past weeks.
Many of you are familiar with the concept of mindful parenting. Being mindful, living with intention, and doing everything I do with purpose are major goals in life for me. It's nothing I've mastered, but it is certainly a practice. Here is a link to their website and one I've found to be inspirational in my own life. It really speaks to me and what I'm trying to accomplish in my mothering: http://www.themindfulparent.org/
On their website you'll notice their mission statement. Repeat it to yourself. Being "better grounded in the present moment" is the part that resonates with my soul the most. I need lots of help being in the moment and savoring each precious day.
I've started using the verses suggested from The Mindful Parent. Waldorf education makes very good use of verses and I've started making up little rhymes with almost every activity we do at home. They serve as a way to transition from one activity to the next, to bring the child's attention to the task at hand, and makes it seem like it's a task worth doing. For example, at school we complete the chore of folding laundry whilst singing "butterfly so high, butterfly so high, friends forever, folding together". Or, when making the bed it's "make the bed, make the bed, every body make the bed". Likewise, if I'm having a morning with dread and stress creeping in I purposefully say This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. That simple memory verse brings my focus to the weight and wonder of living through another cycle of a day on earth. It reminds me that God wants me to be alive on this very day in this very place. It's not something to be taken lightly. It's an abundant gift.
The idea behind the use of verses is that it forces the parent's attention back to the child, focuses their response to the child, and helps parents enjoy those moments of "stillness and deep joy". Meditations and verses help parents return to that "place of stillness". Too often we simply go through the moments without enjoying this rich world around us, without enjoying this connection with our children. When I am connected with my daughter and in a place of mindfulness, I am in such a state of peace. I love being a mother in these moments. And, when things get out of hand, I can handle them with much more calm and stay in control of the situation.
Check out their website and try them out in your own life.
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