I spend so much time rushing around, doing what has to be done. Perhaps I also rush around doing stuff that doesn't have to be done. Hmmmm.
With the Batsman's autism early intervention program based here in our home, life is highly scheduled by necessity. It works better that way. Everyone gets what they want and need most of the time and the Batsman gets the routine and predictability that helps him tick along with minimal anxiety.
Sometimes though, I feel that while it looks to the outside observer like the family of ducks gliding peacefully across the pond, underneath it is me paddling my little webbed feet at lightning speed to stop us all from going under. When you are paddling like that, you can miss stuff. You can miss the good stuff while you are busy making sure the icing doesn't melt off the side of the cake.
So, I am consciously working on being present in my own life. I remind myself to pause and notice the little moments. The ones that bring joy. The moment where the Bowler says something hilarious. The moment where the Batsman gets his "my", "yours" and "I" right and articulates himself with amazing clarity. The swan we saw tonight flapping its wings to ward off some annoying nearby ducks. The stunning rainbows we have had in Melbourne lately. The first sip of the first soy latte of the day.
Small things. Small moments. Joy.
I'm grateful.
Image via we heart it
Love your joyful moments. They make all the crap stuff worthwhile don't they? Last night Mr 10 came in to my room after bed. I was just about to go mad at him ... he was supposed to be asleep ... when he said, I just feel like a hug.
ReplyDeleteAnd we hugged, and he went to bed like a little lamb. Love that. This from a boy who never liked to be touched, still doesn't most of the time. Bliss.
What a beautifully written post. Being grateful for small joys makes the days easier to get through.
ReplyDeleteSo true, very, very true. The life you are leading is pretty extreme, such hard work and so regimented when you're doing early intervention. Doesn't last forever. My big boy is through making his own bacon and eggs for breakfast and trying to persuade me to get him some croissants- who'd have guessed it!
ReplyDeleteMindfulness is a great skill, loved reading 'Buddhism for Mothers' and I used to re-read the book a lot... time to dust off. Thanks for the reminder to be present in the moment.
I love your duck analogy - I think we all feel like that sometimes. We struggle and exhaust ourselves so our family can have an easy life... hmmmm.... x
ReplyDeleteSuz, that's just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteFor me it's the cloud rolling in over the hills out the kitchen window. I need to remember to stop and watch it before I close the blinds on the world...
xxx
I'm grateful for you, Suz.
ReplyDeletexo
A beautiful post, Suz.
ReplyDeleteA nice reminder to slow down and take in all the little things. I think we all feel like ducks sometimes, treading water to get the family by.
Have a lovely weekend. x
Those little moments are what make the days better - but they're so easy to miss.
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