Want to optimize your relationship? My hubby, Brian, and I created a class with 10 of our favorite Big Ideas on how to do that –starting with a definition of love then looking at the difference between falling in vs. standing in love and then some nuts and bolts Ideas on how to rock it!
Here’s an intro video for our Love 101 class! š You can get access to the Class + Workbook + Meditation in our $10.00 a month membership: https://brianjohnson.me/love
Sending love,
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
ā Ralph Waldo Emerson
I am becoming a lover of simple things. This is new within the last 5+ years, and more so since becoming a mother. I used to be pretty driven, always focusing on the future, dreaming bigger and higher and wanting to be and do more. I still have those desires but they arenāt at the forefront as much. Simplicity is.
Iāve experienced again and again itās the little things that give me true joy. They arenāt usually about money, recognition,Ā status or numbers of any kind. If I can stop long enough to breathe and settle into the moment there is so much wonder and delightā¦a richness that is hard to describe. These pauses help slow down the racing mind that can be consumed with time and getting it all done and a tendency to rush from one thing to the next.
The practice is to unbusy my mind and fully engaged in sensory awareness. This bestows so much more daily grace. These pauses of celebration inspire an unhurried life. I like this. To truly acknowledge the power of the moment. The abundance of the sun shining on my face as a new day begins, seeing my child laugh, having the freedom and resources to make healthy meals, taking leisurely walks playing and exploring, listening to a heart felt song, connecting with my family, being present to my life and all the magic that is unfolding. The bigness in the simple things is my centralĀ focus these days.
This can’t be captured on facebook or twitter or in a bank account, for this is a visceral experience captured in our hearts and bodies in a very tangible way. Itās a way of inhabiting our lives, realizing there is no āgetting thereā, āarrivingā, or āhaving it all figured outā. This. Is. It. Our life journeyā¦in all itās colors, dimensions, textures and flavors. Itās the collection of simple things that come together to weave our precious individual stories.
We must limit the noise in our heads and our lives and be willing to slow down enough so that we can actually embrace these moments. Otherwise we miss them. The simple magical moments require attention, presence and recognition. When you feel one. Stop. Smile. Feel it in your body. Listen to the vibration of life happening all around you. Rest and delight in that particular snapshot of time.
I believe the deep breaths, the sun, the water, tuning into my senses, the wonder around me and the little moments of joy can lighten and soften the occasional feelings of overwhelm and overload. Trusting that our life is unfolding with divine perfection. Resting in that place.
Resting our minds and our bodies even while we get things done. There can be a peace, a flow even in the midst of the mess. Life is messy. There will always be toys and dishes to clean up, and things to get done. As long as we are breathing there will be details that need tending.
The listening and resting helps. Itās where we hear the call for expansionā¦the call for a deeper authentic life. The simplicity gently guides us with grace, love, and enthusiasm. How can we dance with the big and the small with utmost respect and importance? Boldly saying yes to it all! Yes to our lives!
Last night as we transitioned from dinner to bedtime rituals I paused looking at the kitchen before turning off the light.Ā My husband had graciously done the dishes. There were a few things that werenāt cleaned up. A few glasses, supplement bottles, and some dishes drying next to the sink. With the eyes of perfection I wouldāve wished that it was cleaner. With the eyes of beauty I saw life. I saw our lives.
These little things we do every day make up our lives. They are yes, just glasses/dishes/bottles on the counter, but they were used by people I love. I smiled and thought yes, this is my life. Itās not sterile and perfect, but itās mine.
There is magic in our day to day lives. The simplicity of most of our days sculpt our life stories. These divine tasks mold our character. The miracles may not seem big but they are, for if we only feel deeper we will see the love. We get to choose how we will weave our myth. Why not choose one of magic and miracles right where we stand?
There may be thoughts that itās not enough. We can look at what is happening in the world and think we must do more and be more. But, as Byron Katie advised in a workshop I attended a few months ago: we must save ourselves first. This is how we change the world. Be the change we want to see. What world do we want to live in and create? It starts with us.
Even if we think our little space in the universe canāt really change the world. It can and it is. Because our choices are changing us, changing our families and therefore our communities and world. Our presence impacts the world. We must start where we are and let spirit/god/life move through us it guides us to our next adventure. Itās that simple. Today I honor the magic and bigness in the simple things. This is what’s calling me. Whatās calling you?
Shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging – something weāve experienced, done, or failed to do makes us unworthy of connection.
BrenƩ Brown
Iām chatting with my Mom on the phone. I love my Mom, sheās my best friend. She proceeds to tell me 2 family members have recently made comments that my sonās shirt had stains on it and that his hair was matted. I felt the initial heat rise, wanting to get nit picky. I instead launched into why I donāt agree and then started justifying (or protecting) myself from these comments.
My pep talk went something like this: Hello, heās a boy! He gets dirty and sometime spills on his shirts. Andā¦he has longer hair and itās not matted. I use a detangler and try to comb them out and yet, still in the morning they are back. Could I do it better? Of course and I’m not too concerned with a few stains and snarls. I make all of our food, I gave birth naturally, heās never sick. So there!
Ah! I felt a bit better. My Mom patiently listened to me. Then I finished with: There is only so much time in a day and I am more interested in my child eating healthy food and moving as much as he can. Not looking picture perfect all the time. Plus, I think we are both rockin’ it and ain’t no snarls and stains gonna get me down!
Note: My kid does take baths and washes his hair (haha). I personally think his hair is awesome with a few snarls and all. And..sometimes I spill things on my shirtā¦.and donāt brush my hair everyday. Soā¦itās clearly not top on my list of priorities.;)
I got off the phone still feeling slightly triggered. I glanced at the kitchen sink that had dishes in it from yesterdayās cooking. I found it odd that I was upset about it now. Because just this morning I actually danced around the island listening and singing to All About That Bass, celebrating my life and feeling good even though the kitchen was a mess. I knew Iād clean it today but as I stood there with agitation…I felt a hit of what?? Shame!? Is shame lurking behind the scenes right now I wonderedā¦
I dug a little deeper. I realized this is a part of me I keep integrating (+ accepting) more and more. Iām not interested in interior design or fashion. Itās not my thing. It never has been. Currently, I am more comfortable in yoga clothes, vibrams with my hair pulled up (usually not brushed). It feels easy and functional to do the things Iāve deemed most important like moving my body. If I was all dressed up in restricted clothes I might not move as much as I do nowā¦but, I digress (thatās a whole other post).
Occasionally, a voice pipes up telling me I should care more about home design and what I wear. I get inspired for like a minute to do something about it and then I realize I donāt currently want to invest my time and energy into that. I am clear on what lights my fire and thatās not it. Iād rather read a book, go for a walk or take a nap. š
While it seems our culture is all about photoshop, perfection, makeup and looking like a celebrity; I am all about wearing less makeup, getting down the truth of who I am and being more real and authentic and not having to look picture perfect in order to be worthy. I’ve tried the other path and it never felt like it fit.
For many years I slept with a futon on the floor. As long as I had my journal, books and good healthy food in my home I was golden. I could probably wear the same outfit every single day for a month (or year) and it wouldnāt negatively effect my sense of aliveness or creativity. My āmakeupā consists of moisturizer, boom that I use on my cheeks and lips, mascara and occasionally natural mineral makeup and some eye liner. Thatās 5 products. I love the simplicity.
I realize itās not an either/or choiceā¦and thereās no one right camp. The only camp I am interested in is the one that truly resonates for me and my willingness to own it more and more. Andā¦I can totally appreciate the opposite perspective as well, itās just not my current interest. We all have our own style, flava and season of expression so thereās room for all of our divine uniqueness.
Soā¦after a few minutes of excavating through my thoughts and emotions. I walked to the park pushing my son in the stroller and I had the thought: I am actually an interior designer. My designer skills are more oriented towards the interior landscape of consciousness. The feeling/emotional/mental/spiritual realms of life design.
It can be so easy to focus on the āspotsā where we arenāt the strongest and let that outshine our true greatness. Iām talking figuratively and metaphorically here. I do believe we need to be aware of stains and spots but not allow them to take center stage.
We need to have a clear sense of who are and embrace it fully and lean into our strengths. There’s not doubt our weaknesses can diminish our shine so it’s important we don’t let let them kick the joy out. But there is only one main stage. Whoās voice is that gonna be? Hopefully our highest self.
Yet there was moreā¦I ponderedā¦Whatās underneath my trigger? Iām well aware that we aren’t the most “fashionable” family ever. I am also well aware that I am *really* proud of myself for the mother I am. I gave birth naturally at home and Iāve done my best to give him the most loving and nourishing home life as possible – from the nutrition, to RIE, to reading and studying and my deep commitment to being an awesome parent. Shame canāt take that away from me.
But, there was still an urge to say: Screw you and throw some criticisms their way. But, is that really what I want? Does this really matter? What would I say about these two family members if today was there last day? I wouldnāt criticize. I would celebrate all their awesomeness. So, why waste time doing it now? I donāt want to fight back, blame or justify myself. I just want to be myself.
Criticism doesnāt support me in who I know myself to be. It doesnāt elevate it belittles. There’s a feeling of relief and righteousness when I criticize someone. But, what’s really hiding behind the criticism is my hurt and a feelings sense that Iām not being seen for all the good I am actually doing and for who I truly am.
Wait a second how the heck did I get to this place. It was just a short little chat with my Mom about hair and stains. No big deal. Oh, how shame weaves a powerful web of illusion.
In the big scheme of life this is petty stuff. And, yet if not addressed can ruin our days, years, lives if we donāt investigate. So I take a few deep breathes and ask how I can grow? What can I learn here?
I think about what I love and appreciate about these 2 family members. I can find a lot of good and gratitude if I am willing to step out of irritation. Then, I think about the things I love an appreciate about myself. Who I am and all the ways Iāve grown and changed over the years and how I am getting better and better every day.
I look at the ācommentsā objectively and look for the kernel of truth with a growth mindset. Can I work on my sonās snarls more? Yes, of course I can.Ā Can I be more aware of stains and change his shirts more often throughout the day? Yes, I can. This doesnāt mean I will always choose to do it. But, I can. I have that choice.
I can also work on the snarls of criticism and blame in my mind and scrub some of the self limiting stains from my consciousness as well. We all have limiting mental drama in our minds that could use a bit more attention and elbow grease to clean up the clutter that blocks our power.
I also can see how both of these family members have an amazing talent with organization and cleaning. This is their strong suit. I can learn from them. It is no secret that this hasnāt been one of mine. I’ve already improved so much over the years and I keep refining my systems and habits to get even better. Everything can be for our growth.
If we can step far enough back and question, meditate, and see the bigger picture then all the so-called criticisms can be used to our advantage, for our transformation. When we point our finger at someone there is always more fingers pointing back at us. Which means we have more work to do. This is actually exciting when we can do it from a place of love, kindness and awareness. Listen with curiosity to our shame because itās always calling us to come home to our essence.
We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Donāt let the snarls, stains and shame get you down. See the growth opportunity and seize it. Use criticism to catapult you to the next level. Donāt swim in a shame storm, it does no good. We are all doing the best we can and we can also do better. The criticisms, frustration, and anger can lead us to a more fulfilled life. We are all splendidly imperfect. See the beauty in it all. Itās there.
Bring it on!
One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure. — William Feather
Yesterday I awoke with a few limiting thoughts and a lack of excitement about the day with my toddler. I decided to do something different. I asked the question: How can I make today an adventure!? How could we make it more fun!?
I thought: Make it a game. We will go on 10 quests today. I shared the idea with my son and then, we sat down and wrote out our list. He contributed the park, store and making the pumpkin porridge, the rest were my ideas that he agreed with.
We started our game at 10:30 am and ended at 5:30 pm. Below is what we did in the order we did them. š
1. 7 minute Whole Body Vibration Plate workout — WeĀ have our own little home gym so he did his own little “workout” which consisted of not wanting me to workout, playing with legos and doing a little bit of rowing. š (If you’re interested in the vibration plate there is also a less expensive one on Amazon you can find HERE!)
2. Grocery Store — Here we got a green juice and kale chips to power us up for the start of our outdoor quests. We also stopped by a sign that I’ve walked by many times but have never read. It was pretty awesome to see people’s desires. Made me smile.
3. Find a feather — We went to the metaphysical store down the street from our house and serendipitously saw a 
bunch of feathers. #Score! I also got some more frankenscience incense and a little memento to put on my desk. Oh, and I bought a magazine which is something I pretty much never do. I know really daring greatly. HA! 
I thought the cover was brilliant!! š
4.Discover something new ā We stopped to ask two construction workers what they were fixing. We learned all about how the water actually gets into our homes so we can use it. Amazing how many people help our lives run smoother. W
e also discovered this cool free library someone created on the street outside their house and made a note to go and donate a book.
5. Walk down a different street — While we were walking down our quest street we met a local author, Robyn. If I wasnāt in the adventurous spirit I probably wouldnāt have said anything. But, we were on a quest so I said: I think I have a book you wrote. Did you write a book? She said: Yes! We talked about her book/work/parenting/etc. Then, I shared how much I appreciated her commitment to unabashedly be herself. We had a delightful conversation and hugged as we both went on our way. (Her book is Go Only As Fast As Your Slowest Part Feels Safe To Go).
6. Go to the park and do 10 different activities — We visit the park at least once a day. I sometimes play but mostly just hang around and watch my son play. I wanted to get in on the action so I committed to doing 10 different activities. I went down slides, climbed walls, attempted pull ups, jumped, etc. It was so much more fun. Good reminder we can inspire play wherever we go. Don’t let the joy stoppers limit our fun!
7. Have a picnicĀ ā I was thinking we would rock this quest in the afternoon but 
it ended up raining. Later I told E we still needed to do our picnic quest. He said we already did it when we sat on the floor eating our pumpkin porridge. Indoor picnic on the floor? Works for me! š
Then, it was about 4:45 and it was chilly and slightly raining and I really wanted to just stay inside. But, we still had a few more quests to complete. E said: Let’s Go! So, we put our jackets and hats on and headed out. It was actually amazing.Ā No one was out and it was beautiful from the recent rainfall with lots of puddles to jump in.
8. Help someone ā I am reaching with this one because it was more just being helpful rather than helping a specific person. But, we are counting it. We found 8 pieces of trash and picked it up and put it in the garbage. The best part was how excited he got when he found a piece of trash and then preceded to put it in the garbage. Never would have guessed picking up trash could be so fun!
9. Climb a tree — My son is only 3 so we don’t climb that high. But, we did climb up a smaller one and explored 2 really big tree trunks. While we were sitting on one of the trucks he decided he wanted to have a pretend picnic. Great idea I said (kids are awesome!). He then went and got some leaves and some sticks and we pretended to 
have some apples, porridge, cashew butter and green juice.
10. Savor and gratitude practice —Ā We savored all the fun things we did before his nap. And, then, before bedtime we talked about all the adventures of the day and what we loved about it and a couple of things we were grateful for.
Bonus Quests:
* Make pumpkin porridge — E got the canned pumpkin out of the cabinet and wanted to make something with it. I haven’t eaten grains in 3 years and occasionally I miss porridge/oatmeal. So, I had the inspiration to try to create something similar. We both 
*loved* the experimental creation and are going to make it again today. Will share recipe soon!
* Sprints — When we were outside completing our adventure quests I said: Let’s get some sprints in too. Wanna run? He enthusiastically said: YES! And, off we went running down the bike path, stopping to rest and take a few breaths and then starting again. So great.
Whew! What an awesome adventure! It would have been a totally different day if I would’ve believed my grumpy thoughts from the morning. I might’ve even felt kinda bored with the whole at-home-mothering thing but we turned it into a wild adventure. Happy I chose something different.
We both got lots of nature time, talked with a bunch of people, had a lot of fun, discovered new things, moved our bodies a lot, and nourished ourselves with some good food, gratitude and the joy of helping ourselves and others! I was a much happier Momma today because of it! š
P.S. Any other ideas for our next Adventure Quest day? What would be your quests for the day? š
“This is love: to fly toward a secret sky, to cause a hundred veils to fall each moment. First to let go of life. Finally, to take a step without feet.”
Rumi
One year ago today our beloved friend, Dave Pearson passed away. I can’t believe it’s already been a year. We have a family ritual that whenever we see birds flying we celebrate him. My son will say: There’s Davey! I will pause and smile and say: There he is. Soaring through the sky!Ā My heart smiles and cries at the same time.
The tears roll down my face thinking about him. Feeling so much love for him and his wife and for Life. What a gift it is to be alive!! What a gift. And, that man celebrated life. Bigtime!! š
Today I honor and revel in 
his spirit.Ā His spirit lives on in each one of our hearts. I have been changed by being in his presence. He is embedded into the very fiber of my being. That never dies.
May I be courageous enough to live the lessons he so generously taught me! I can’t hear him laugh or get a giant bear hug from him but I can play these and laugh and connect to his joy. š
I wrote this a few days after his death (reading it made me feel closer to him):
The art of letting goā¦I canāt say I am thrilled about learning this lesson. I know itās one we all need to learn. And, sometimes it just hurts my heart. One of our dear friends David Pearson passed on October 28th in a speed flying accident. It was devastating for so many. He has been one of our biggest supporters with en*theos – as an investor and a part of the team. Heās always had pure enthusiasm for everything weāve ever done.Ā
I k
now you canāt control life and who lives and who dies but this just felt way too early. Waaaaay too early! I want to believe that everything happens for a reason. And, itās hard to accept. How could someone so full of life die at 38 years young? I want to believe he is soaring on the other side and yet it feels really hard to let go and let him fly.Ā
They say there are 5 stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression + Acceptance. I so wanted to deny it. I got off the phone and didnāt want it to be real. How could that happen? No. No. No. Listing all the reasons that God couldnāt take a person like Dave from the world. I thought of his wife and my dear friend. I couldnāt breathe. My heart broke open. I couldnāt even imagine her process. I wanted it to all go away. I wanted him to come back. I wanted him to be OK. I wanted him to get up after he fell to the ground. Open his eyes, take a deep breath and smile. Awww Dave!! Living the life doing what he loved!
Iāve gone through moments of all 5 stages. Asking questions like: How did it happen? Why did his equipment malfunction? Could we have done something? Why did it have to happen to him? Why did he have to love speed flying so darn much? I experience fear, anger and sadness and then so much love. He loved life. He was such a passionate and fun soul. We were kindred spirits both being a 7 on the enneagram, full of curiosity and + our love of play! š
I smile thinking of 3 moments I loved dearly and will forever cherish. The first is 
the the day I met him. It was just over 7 years ago when Brian and I first started dating. I stopped at Bās house and Dave was there. I remember thinking I dig this guy. Bās got awesome friends. š Every time we got together there was lots of laughter and joy. So many great memories! I can hear his laugh now! āŖ#āBestlaugheverā¬
The second moment was when I was 6 months pregnant and he came with us to get our first ultrasound. It was me, Brian, Uncle Dave + Zoey (our dog who passed last month.) He filmed it and took pictures and celebrated in the health of our sweet baby boy, Emerson! I remember him being so grateful and honored to be a part of it. I loved that he was there! His enthusiasm was off the charts amazing and I can still feel how happy he was for us.
The last and most powerful moment in time was when he married Beth. Brian and I were in the wedding party. I was like 8 months pregnant. The joy on his face as he stood there looking at his bride. Breathtaking. So much love, radiance and happiness.
I remember sitting there envisioning decades of happiness as a married couple. It was the happiest Iāve ever seen him. He was just beaming with light and the kind of love that can only be radiated when youāre marrying your soulmate. Pure love, beauty and joy!
As I reflect on who Dave was for me this is what comesā¦He was one of those gooooood guys! One of those people that everyone *loves*. You felt like having fun just being around him. So full of life and adventure and always pushing his edges of growth in all areas of his life.
He was an explorer. He inspired and he lovedĀ and he cared for so many. Every time I was with him I felt important. He had a way of being with you that you felt like you truly mattered. He loved people. He could connect with anyone, anywhere, anytime. He genuinely cared. He was one of those friends that if you needed him heād be there. Oh, and I always appreciated that he thought everything I cooked was awesome. š
These are some of the lessons he taught me that I will carry with me:
1. Laugh big, hard & often!! š He had one of the best laughs. Such a wonderful childlike spirit!
2. Live fully. Live your life like a grand adventure. Explore it all with curiosity, joy and enthusiasm.
3. Love deeply. The love he had for his wife, family and friends was inspiring and touching. Everyone loved Dave. How could you not!? š
4. Love and appreciate our planet. He loved being out in nature. It was his element and he thrived and delighted in all her beauty and did his best to be a good steward by being as conscious as possible.
5. Be grateful for all the awesomeness that is life. Itās the simple things in life. Savor them. Appreciate them. Delight in it ALL!
He was a big fan of Vipassana Meditation. Iāve done 2 ten day meditation retreats and one thing that is said over and over again is: āAnicca, Anicca, Anicca.ā This is a Buddhist term that means impermanence. It reminds us that āall of conditioned existence, without exception, is transient, or in a constant state of flux.ā Just like the breath rises and falls so does everything else. Everything passes. Iām doing my best to practice. To breath deeply and surrender to Life unfoldingā¦accepting realityā¦embracing the mystery and trying not to resist and grip.
Some moments are better than others. Some moments I smile and some moments the tears run down my face. I cry because I will never see that smile again or get a 
hug from himā¦I cry for his wife, Bethā¦I cry for all of his family and friendsā¦I cry because Emerson wonāt be able to play with his Uncle Dave as he grows upā¦I cryā¦then, I come back to my breath. Breathing in and breathing out. Breathing in and breathing out. I breathe it all in and I let it all go.
Mr. Dave Pearson, I am sending you so much love and gratitude! It was an honor to dance and play with you while you were here. Every time I see a bird soaring in the sky I will think of you. The world was a better place because you were here!! Blessings on your next adventure. I love you!
365 days later and I still wish he was here. I have thought about him, his wife and his family a lot in the last year. I know this is the cycle of life and yet I miss him. I kept the last few texts I received from him…holding on to the thread of connection not wanting to let him go. For weeks after he died I would call his cell phone just to listen to his voice. It really is the little things we miss the most. I cry as I look at the lessons he embodied and I think: Thanks Davey!! He is still inspiring me to live out loud.
This evening we went for a family hike. I watched as my son played so freely and reveled in the beauty of the natural world, just like Dave did. I looked up in awe of the mountains and the sky. Smiling and holding him in my heart. He knew what Rumi meant: This is love: to fly toward a secret sky, to cause a hundred veils to fall each moment. First to let go of life. Finally, to take a step without feet.
The best way that I (we) can all celebrate his life is to embody the energy and passion for life that he so exuberantly demonstrated. I feel grateful to have known the one and only, Dave Pearson. May his light continue to inspire us all!
What do we want? When we get still enough what are our true heart desires?
My son and husband are asleep, itās 8:40 pm. Tears are streaming down my face as I sit in the silence meditating/contemplating and feeling into my life before I go to bed. I believe we all want to feel alive, like really alive Joseph Campbell style:
People say that what weāre all seeking is a meaning for life. I donāt think thatās what weāre really seeking. I think that what weāre seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonances with our innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive.
When I can touch the tenderness of this desire the tears steam so easily. This joyful aliveness is in the moments, in our connections, in the small acts of kindness. If we can slow down enough we can feel our innermost being vibrating with aliveness.
I sometimes notice as a culture we are looking for the big. If this BIG thing happens then everything will be OK. I will be OK. So…we strive and we look forward. We quickly move from one thing to the next so that we can hurry up and get there.
What if by all of this rushing to the “next thing” we missed some of the most loving moments? What if the biggest wins were the times we found the gold shimmering in the slivers of time as we pursued our goals? What if we really did enjoy the journey instead of rushed? This sounds cliche and easy but as a real life practice it can challenging.
I wonder why…it seems like it would be easy right? Savor, soften, open, love and enjoy! Easy enough. Yet, I notice the holding back, the protecting, the restriction of my natural flow. Sometimes I wonder if itās easier for others? But, then think: I’m pretty sure this is something we all work with. If you don’t please share your sage wisdom!:)
I relish the moments like tonight where I intentionally slow down, pause and feel my heart in such a big and powerful way. Itās like a veil lifts and I want to forever open up my heart big and wide. Knowing this is where the magic resides.
I think it’s important to do things we are proud of, and cross the finish line and feel accomplished. This helps increase our sense of aliveness, but there is more. What about resting for awhile where we are ā playing, meandering, looking for the simple beauty, relishing in the appreciation of all that is good now. Whatās the rush?
My life isnāt perfect. I am not floating on some cloud with complete peace and joy. But, itās mine. All mine to create as I choose. The sacredness of our unique lives is astonishing and yet so ordinary. I felt this tonight as I was enjoying some time with my son before he went to sleep. Something pretty much all Moms do…we support our children in getting to bed. But, I was touched by the holy honor it is to be a mother.
After we read our 4 books he said: āCuddle Mommy.ā I cuddled in and he snuggled up next to me holding his green āblankieā; which is one of my dresses that he turned into a blanket because it āsmells like Mommy.ā
As we lay there in the amber glow from the nightlight he is shining like the angel he is. I softly stroke his hair and face doing my best to enjoy this moment. I feel the pull to go and get ready for bed and I breathe. I donāt want to rush this moment. Not tonight.
I listen to him breathing. Iām acutely aware that one day he will no longer want his blankie or me to cuddle him to sleep. I soften. These are the moments where the divine lives. This is heaven on earth. I watch him slowly close his eyes. I stay awhile longer reveling in his perfection and then, gently get up and walk out the door with a heart full of love.
Tonight as the tears drop down on my journal I write: Open sweet one. Open. Itās really ok to feel this much! I pray to stay open to the wonder of now. Help me see the world through my heart. May I stand in all that is real, true and beautiful in my life. Help me stay connected even when I want to close. Help me love and play even more. Allow my tenderness to heal my soul.Ā May I feel the presence of grace everywhere, even if I donāt want to and sometimes feel scared. Let me surrender to the LOVE! I breathe in the joy and gratitude for this day. Thank you!
I know there is no getting to a perfect state of grace all the time. I know there will be days and moments the urge to rush will win. And, yet, I hold the intention to continue to remember. Remember to pause and not hurry the moments. This simple practice guides me to more fulfillment. I celebrate these moments like tonight where my heart feels like it grew. I also know I will get triggered and close. Then, I will open. Then, close. And play somewhere in betweenā¦thus, is the dance of life.
My son said he wanted to make me feel better today. He got out his healing glove and told me to come into his hospital and lie down on the bed so he could help me. He’s really into firetrucks, hospitals, doctors and caring for me these days. So sweet!
He “buckled” me in and then got some legos along with a few other toys and put them on my belly and touched my head with his glove. I laid there for a few minutes and then said I was going to get up. He said: No Mommy don’t get up. I’m not done yet. Be still. Don’t move.Ā
I laughed and said: Yes, good advice. Be still. I took a deep breath, laid back down and smiled. Who says you can’t meditate with a child? I had a whole 5 minutes of deep breathing plus a “healing” session. How does it get any better
than that? š
In the last few months I’ve occasionally awoken before E (we co-sleep) and I’ll be meditating in bed when he wakes up. I tell him I’m meditating and he can sit with me if he’d like. Most of the time he comes in and cuddles up in my lap and patiently waits while I “practice.” Sometimes he’s ready to get up and I flow with that too.:) The more I slow down, listen and be still the easier life becomes. In the stillness I can hear the voice of silence gently guiding me towards peace, love and freedom.
After our healing meditation he wanted to listen to some music. So we turned on the “Let it go” Pandora station and rocked out to: Part of your world + Uptown Funk. Love me some dancin’ and singin’! (You can find a 5 minute video on how I make dancing a workout HERE).
The lesson I am remembering today is there is always time and space to do whatever nourishes our soul. We just have to keep our intention at the forefront so we can see the opportunities when they arise. Otherwise we miss the joy hidden in the mundane because we are off to the next thing.
So…my fun challenge for you, SuperBetter style, is to take a minute or five to be still, breathe and tune into your innate awesomeness and pick one of your favorite songs and dance and sing your heart out. Dance like there’s nobody watching, love like you’ll never be hurt, sing like there’s nobody listening, and live like it’s heaven on earth. — William W. Purkey
Now, I’m off to make dinner!
Dance on Goddess,
P.S. I’m always on the look out for new songs to rock out to. If you feel inspired share some of your favorite tunes in the comments below.
