image via
It’s been a beautiful week. (Hence, the title of this post.)
I made it a point to make time for some enjoyment and some mindful living this week. Nothing major, but I wanted to make sure that I spent time enjoying this wonderful, beautiful life.
- I spent more time building legos and less time doing laundry.
- The kids and I spent a beautiful morning having snacks and throwing pennies into the fountain.
- I’ve spent more time in my garden, tending the flowers.
- I’ve spent more time watching my daughter, admiring her moxie.
- There was a science experiment, making crystals with epsom salts and crystals with sugar.
- There was even an afternoon making gazpacho with my son.
I would like all of my weeks to be like this. I don’t see why they can’t be.
I’m re-reading Leo Babauta’s book, The Power of Less. I loved it the first time, but I’m reading it a little slower this time…finding a few more ways that it relates to me as a mother, managing a home rather than an office.
I particularly like this part:
- Identify the essential.
- Eliminate the rest.
If living mindfully is not essential to a beautiful life, what is?
For more mindful living, be sure to visit Tuesdays Unwrapped.
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
After reading thispost, I realized that my daily routine is focused more on accomplishing the chores - keeping the house clean, laundry, dishes, preparing dinner. There’s actually not much time left to give my little one my undivided attention. What could be more important than spending quality time with your family? You, on the other hand, are off to a great start! I’m sure your kids appreciate your time with them much more than crisp clean bed sheets!
Rowena
Oh this is good. There was also that time you spent with your hubbie on Friday night but we won’t ask for the details (wink).
I loved that bit too. I wrote it on a small piece of paper and stuck it on the wall next to the light switch by the door. So that I can see it every day.
I love your posts. Bringing me back to the things that matter.
yes and yes! Yet, I am working with the kids a bit on them entertaining themselves. I get tired of them always looking to me to either suggest something to do, take them somewhere or let someone come over. When I was a kid (yes, I just said that), I could entertain myself for days on end. I think in our super scheduled society now - kids struggle with what to do in the down time. what do you think?
@ Rowena~
Welcome, thanks for stopping by and commenting. With my Type A personality, I’m more prone to accomplishing *tasks* than living in the moment. I’m trying to be more mindful with my loved ones… and every so often I have a good day and/or a good week! It doesn’t come easily to me.
@ renee!
Ha ha ha ha ha ha…..! You make me laugh. : )
@ mo~
Good idea to write that part down and put it up around the house — I think I’ll follow your lead. Thanks for your kind compliments! I love reading your blog, and I have recently enjoyed your take on The Power of Less.
@ Denise~
Oh no! You mean they don’t grow out of it???? : 0
I have found that when I’m *busy*, my kids will find things to do and keep themselves busy. But as soon as I’m *available* to them, they want to be amused and entertained. It’s a fine line to walk, because I want to be *available* but not relied on for amusement. My son is much better at it then my daughter, though. He will literally play his legos for hours. I’m still searching for the toy/activity that brings out that same passion for my daughter. (She’s only three, though.)
I agree what you said about kids in our over-scheduled society…I’m totally dragging my heels, not wanting to get them involved like that. (I want them involved, but not overly-involved!)
First of all, I love the image you used. It makes me feel peaceful just to look at it. I agree that mindful living is essential and it’s such an important thing to focus on. It’s not always easy but it’s something I’m constantly working on. I’m going to have to pick up The Power of Less!
I finished The Power of Less last week! I would have told you, but it wasn’t in my top 3 tasks yet!!
Good for you for taking the time for what’s important.
Sounds as though you had a lovely week. You’ve inspired me to attempt to do the same this week, and try and make the most of school holiday time with my son. So often I feel as if I’m drowning in a sea of ’stuff to do’. I need to stop. You and Mo @ get stuff done have sung the praises of this Power of Less book so much that I’m thinking of getting a copy - I’m off to Amazon now to look it up!
Hope you’ve had a great weekend
Caroline x
Yum — homemade gazpacho sounds essential to a beautiful life to me.
@ PP~
I know — isn’t that image the best?! I’d love to be there, myself. I think you’ll really enjoy the Power of Less book.
@ marci~
I can’t believe that I am not one of your MIT’s!! How dare you! LOL
@ Caroline~
The book is the best! The trouble with To Do lists (althought I live by them) is that *you* will never, ever accomplish everything. New things crop up every day; therefore, we need to find what is essential, and put that at the forefront. (I’m advising myself here as much as I am you.)
@ Chris~
This particular gazpacho recipe is the best. It’s so good!
http://blog.chivetalkin.com/2009/06/18/gazpacho-i.aspx
Hey K, I love how you manage to live so mindfully. I really should (and will) take a leaf out of your book. This was a lovely post and a great reminder to me to…
1. Identify the essential.
2. Eliminate the rest.
Your kids are going to be (and probably already are) such amazing, secure and aware individuals for you having lived mindfully.
Gorgeous picture. Fits this post perfectly. I really couldn’t be more with you in the desire to be in the moment, to truly enjoy the life God’s given me. I don’t know why I’m so predisposed to fixate on tasks instead of “just being”, but I love how your posts serve as reminders to do get back to “living mindfully.”
So thanks!!
I am glad you had a beautiful week where you took time to enjoy life after all the stressors you had the week before. I absolutely agree that you need to live mindfully to have a beautiful life. How else would you see/appreciate everything?
I love this: I would like all of my weeks to be like this. I don’t see why they can’t be.
Me too.
looking forward to a few days just like this… when my kiddos get home from their trip! but maybe i didn’t know that until i read your words. thank you. it is a beautiful life.
We can live a beautiful life. Thanks for the reminder that in order to accomplish this, we need to be intentional. Great post!!
This was timely truth Kirwin.
In the drive to deliver, delegate, dominate, and make a difference,
I lose the essence of our grounded calling.
In the sharing, the bread and the wine of our daily lives.
Thank you for nudging , and for passing on permission to be whole.
So true and beautiful reminder today! Thanks for joining and inspiring A Beautiful Life!
I am 100% with you.
Stopping for just a moment, to capture where exactly where you are, perhaps taking a picture to keep for ever a moment in time, or simply breathing and enjoying that precious one time moment.
lovely reminder
TTFN~~Claudia ♥