Recent Observations

• Four years old is big, but it’s not THAT big. My boy still needs “lots of love and attention” (his quote) and encouragement and praise from his parents and other caregivers. I am noticing that I (too often) have too-high expectations for what my son can or should be able to do at this age, and this is adding to the level of stress and frustration in our lives. Mama needs to chill. Enjoy this child for exactly who he is right here today, and go with the flow.

• “Sensitive” is a label that feels like a true-enough descriptor of my son, but also a somewhat unfair, or at least limiting one. Yes, he is still learning how to appropriately express his feelings. And yes, this is probably the most obvious thing that he is working on developmentally. But I wonder (because the I am asking myself this question for the first time as I type), what other ability or interest or achievement is he ready to develop, that I don’t even notice because all we are noticing is that he is “sensitive?”

• Here it is August and we have yet to get ourselves to the beach to play. Sure, we have gone the farm and to birthday parties and to a soccer game and to the zoo and to the grocery and to the shops and out to dinner like a jillion times and we remodeled the kitchen and battled (er, continue to battle) the barking neighbor dogs, and, and, and… but a good piece of summer has passed us by and we are just feeling run ragged by doing stuff. And we haven’t even spent a day at the beach.

• Oh, and we are looking at kindergarten options. KINDERGARTEN!

So what does it all mean? That’s precisely the question, right?

Last fall, I joined a small group of women to explore the idea of Living on Purpose. The group came together at just the right time for me, when I was feeling a little lost and unsure of myself. It turned out to be a remarkable three months of searching and discovering and just flat out getting groovy with who I AM, and what that means for what I DO in this world. And the one little nugget that sticks with me daily is that I finally figured out what my job in this life is supposed to be… to find joy of being (Get it? JOB = Joy Of  Being. Kind of cheesy. I know.).

As I am feeling a little run down and overwhelmed by the demands of my life (especially the concerns I have for my son and my role as his mom), I need to remind myself of my “real job.” That I am here on this earth to find wonder in each moment. To rise above the petty frustrations and superficial hassles of daily life so I can clearly feel the joy of being uniquely me.

When I can bring this true being along in my daily doings, I know that it’s all going to get a lot easier. And not to mention, a lot more fun.

~~~

P.S. For mamas in the Portland, OR area, I highly recommed any of Savannah Mayfield’s workshops and classes. For everyone, she offers individual personal coaching by phone and in person.  She is an inspiring presence in either venue and is just downright magnetic. If you’re looking for help in searching out your purpose or your passion, visit Savannah’s site: http://www.nurturelifecoaching.com/