{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.- Soule Mama

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.- Soule Mama

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.- Soule Mama

 

Advice

Perhaps I need to start receiving some of the advice that I've been giving as of late. I gave this to a friend who's going through a really hard time, and yet, I keep find myself reading it over and over again...

It was then I realized, maybe this isn't just for me, and someone else needs to hear it as well... and so, I'll share...

((HUGS)) Go outside. Feel the sun on your face. Take a deep breath. Life happens.
And when things happen that leave us feeling knocked down and dragged out, it's time to find moments that enable us to rejuvenate, if not in big ways, then small ones. And don't be afraid to feel it.
Let yourself feel the disappointment, anger, and frustration - cry, work through it and get it out -
don't hold it in.
And then let yourself feel, really deep-down feel, a hug, a breeze on a sunny day, the flowers blooming around you, the laughter of a child... because it's all there. It's all life. Feel the sorrow, let it go.
Feel the love. The love, it's always there. And helps to get us through the other stuff.
Thinking of you... wishing you moments of peace amidst the challenges.
"This too will pass."

Ten Good Things...

This idea came from SouleMama today.


And though I don't have pictures... I do have words... and a desire to do this with as crazy as my life has become these last few months.

That being written...  my ten good things at the moment are...
- grace - where and when I least expected it.
- a kiss from a 2.5 year old
- watching my eldest twirl in a sundress
- realizing that I'm not alone
- the embrace of my husband
- giggles - mine and theirs
- pink tutus
- snuggling with my eldest
- a good book
- clean sheets

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

- via Soulemama

Welcome 2011 - The Year of Connection

For 2011, I have chosen to focus on connection and connecting. 2010 left me feeling rather disconnected, especially from myself. So, this year, I want to reconnect with myself, deepen my connections with my husband and children, spend more time in nature, and reconnect with my spirituality.

Here's a breakdown of the micro-actions for each (Thank you to the book Stop Screaming at the Microwave: How to Connect Your Disconnected Life for the idea of micro-actions. :) )

1. Myself 
- Make a list of things that recharge me. Do 2 or more of these a day. (Journal, dance, move, sketch, paint, etc.)
- Get away on my own (sans kiddos and hubby) at least every other month for a few hours or more.
- Respect my body through awareness of what I eat, movement, sleep, and respecting what it needs by taking time to tune in with it before bed.
- Making it a point to really pause when feeling overwhelmed or rushed, to just breathe regardless of that "voice" that tells me I don't have the time too. (Wait... Think... Count...)
- Connection with my inner child through laughter, play, dance, exploring (planning a few adventures), reading more, sketching and painting.
-Create a list of challenges, and determine how and when to complete them, including a big one I've been pondering.

2 Family 
- Daily hugs and "I love yous" with each with a connection to the eyes and a pause to focus.

Hubby - Plan an overnight trip sans kiddos this year.
- Go on at least 3 dates this year - without the kiddos.
- Making a conscious effort to really connect with each other at least once a week.
- Do something special to celebrate our 10 year anniversary.

Kiddos - Plan special Mommy and kiddo dates.
- Get down to their level to listen, making eye contact.
- Create a new bedtime ritual.
- Choose to connect over "to do".

3 Nature- Reconnect with nature by aiming to spend 5 minutes a day (at least) outside or focused looking outside (window).
- When outside, taking time to engage my senses: breathe it in, really look at it, listen, feel it.
- Sketch and draw it.

4. Spirituality
- Remember my blessings, count them often, and bask in gratitude.
- Really listen and respect those "pings" and feel them out if I doubt them.
- Surrender my fears over, be open to receiving and new ideas.
- Let go of perfection, and focus on connection.


To Complete for the year :
- Clean up and declutter the basement.
- Find a good doctor and get a physical.
- Find new dentist.
- Plan something special for our 10 year.