I feel like this week has been a little better in terms of me living in the moment, and enjoying the moments.
What’s interesting is that a physical reminder has emerged, which reminds me to find a little bit of pleasure each day.
God seems to be using this outdoor loveseat as an instrument for mindful living. The chair sits outside the french doors and I catch sight of it several times a day. And not once, does it not metaphorically tug at my heart, urging me to come sit. Relax. Enjoy.
I’m still a newbie at this. In my conversations with the loveseat, I usually politely decline. “I have to start dinner,” I explain.
“Your loss,” the loveseat answers, and I know it’s true.
* * * * * * *
Some moments from my week that I have particularly enjoyed, include:
- Snuggling with my daughter. Everything about her is so soft.
- The evening I pushed off dinner preparation for 20 minutes, so that I could play soccer with the kids.
- My heart swelling with pride and my eyes filling with tears when my son was on stage, performing at the end of year program.
- Discovering a new favorite recipe!
- Taking some quiet time with my son, to read all about Sue, the dinosaur.
- Planting and watering the vegetable garden.
- Listening to the giggles between my children.
- Loving my husband for taking care of dinner tonight.
Did you have any mindful moments this week? I’d love to read about them!
For more mindful living reads, head on over to Tuesdays Unwrapped. Or just head on over to join the party!
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Well, today the hubbie took the boys to his parents for the night. Yep, all night.
As I sit here enjoying the peace & quiet - I can’t help but miss those little monkeys. It makes me so much more mindful of my love for them, and of how blessed I am… when they aren’t around. Trust me I’m aware when they are near, but the absence of their little voices and cuddles hit hard tonight.
I’ll continue to enjoy my evening alone, and secretly count down the hours till they’re all home
What’s your new favorite recipe?
I love the way you wrote this. So wonderful! This week I’ve been doing my best to be mindful and I found that the more I concentrate on it, the more it happens everywhere I go. It’s pretty amazing!
Hiking in the mountains yesterday (on vacation in Colorado), every once in a while my husband would announce how far we had gone. I found my immediate reaction was something along the lines of “Why is this taking so long?” Then I realized - this is it. This is what we’re doing. If we get to the end, then it’s over. We drove 13 hours to be in the gorgeous landscape - Enjoy it while you’re in it!
this week I had to let go of my OCD tendencies related to my home upkeep and tidiness to focus on just enjoying all the activities we had. It was hard - really hard.
I LOVE your outdoor loveseat- it´s perfect and I hope you to get to relax during the day now and then.
I had a very unmindful experience on Saturday - I was obsessing over something I should have done and didn´t, instead of being in the moment. However, maybe the fact I had so many uncomfortable emotional thoughts means that the lesson learned will stay with me and not be repeated.
My living mindfully moment was having lunch with my Dad’s elderley Aunt and Uncle and asking them all about how they met and what they did when they were young. It was very cool to take the time to listen to their stories. They commented a couple of times how it was “so lovely to have young people around”. Twas a surprisingly special lunch.
@ Ang~
I know exactly how you feel: you can’t wait for a little peace and quiet, but as soon as they’re gone you don’t know what to do with yourself. ; ) I hope you still managed to enjoy yourself.
@ Shannon~
This Pepita Salad Recipe is so good, it’s sinful! I skipped the lettuce because I didn’t see the point, and I only used 1/4 of the serrano chili — it still had a kick! Here’s the link:
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/pepita-salad-recipe.html
@ PP~
thanks — I’m glad you enjoyed it. I totally agree, the more you concentrate on it, the more success you have.
@ Zarah~
You’re so right, and this relates to so many things in life! How often have I wished for the end of the day to come faster…what a waste.
@ denise~
{smiles} I understand, my friend. Oh how I understand you. I never thought I was a *control freak* until I had children. (I’m not saying you are…but this is something I have learned about myself in recent years…)
@ Renia~
Thank you. It’s from Target! ; )
Too bad about your “uncomfortable experience”, but you’re right — it probably made quite an impact on you since it was so intense.
@ Sami~
That’s very cool. I’ve spent many, many hours with young children (besides my own) but I haven’t spent much time with the elderly. Since we emigrated to the states when I was 5, I never spent much time around my own grandparents.
Awww, K! Everything about this post tugged at my heart. I LOVE all the living mindfully you are doing now. You really have “captured” the ability to do it even if you do not think you do it enough.
LOVE the outdoor loveseat - it looks so inviting!
My little guys needs his Mama time more that my daughter. He is 4 and I’m just realizing just how much he needs. So, this week when his Highlights Five magazine came in the mail, instead of reading just one quick story and saving the rest for later, we curled up in my comfy chair (its like your loveseat - rarely used!) and read the entire thing! After we were finished, he wanted to do one of the projects in the book. So, we did. He was beaming and I had a great time. Believe it or not, the world did not come to an end because I put aside my cleaning to read with my guy!
I love that you’re talking to the loveseat. That’s one smart piece of furniture. Tell me, why’s it so hard just to stop and relax and enjoy?
Yesterday was unusually full of mindful moments for me. It rained all day, and we didn’t do much other than just be together. It was nice to turn off my internal task-master and just hang out with my fam.
@ Danica~
Thanks. I do think I’m getting better at being mindful, but some days and weeks are harder than others.
@ Marci~
I know exactly what you mean about your son craving a little more one-on-one time. Mine, too. He loves getting Mommy all to himself, and I need to remember that more and more. I enjoy my time with him, too.
@ Jo~
“Talking to furniture”…sounds like I’m going crazy. Your weekend sounds wonderful–the rain sounds like a Godsend.
oh, good moments. It is so important to grab those gifts wherever you can and kudos to you for seeing them.
if your bench seems lonely.. does cyber lounging count?
Sounds like you’ve had a week full of lovely moments!
I think I’ll be cyber lounging on your loveseat with Deb– come and join us! I’ll bring cookies!
OH WOW!! How cool!
I have conversations like that with my backporch swing. I however, am undisciplined and usually give into it’s temptation.
xoxoxoxo
@ deb~
Good idea! I haven’t figured out how to make it work with the laptop outside. Every time I’ve tried it, one child needs help going potty or their hands washed or they keep kicking balls AT me…etc. It’s almost like, “If Mommy’s outside, she belongs to us.” (And there’s nothing wrong with that, I guess.)
@ Erin~
I’ll take your cookies, and raise you some lemonade. ; )
@ Crissie~
Good for you for giving in to the porch swing. Really. I have a strong feeling, when we look back 10, 20, 30 years from now, I doubt we’ll regret “not getting more done!”
Your loveseat looks like the perfect place for moments of contemplation, for cups of tea, for visits with dear friends (cyber or otherwise) - it looks like quite the haven.
I’ve been trying to answer my patio’s call lately, even if it means taking my schoolwork outside just to enjoy the feeling of the breeze lifting my hair as I study. Thanks for inspiring me to keep it up! 
i love your beckoning bench… and your realization that it just mightbe a loss not to take the time to sit and rest a moment! but… maybe tomorrow!
@ Sharone~
Good for you for answering the call of your patio. As the weather gets warmer and more beautiful, it’s good for the soul to be outdoors.
@ dawn~
I’m happy to report that I’ve *given in* to that beckoning bench twice this week!