Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Smell the Roses
The beautiful aroma of fragrant roses fills the air as you walk through your family neighborhood or visit the Botanic Gardens at UC Riverside. There are roses of every color, shape, and size blooming with delight. The birds are singing and every part of nature announces that it is officially spring. The proclamation is tranquil and full of life. The squirrels nibble on treasured nuts while butterflies glide carelessly about. The wind even seems to take part in a symphonic production full of majesty and renewal.
In contrast to these images, as moms, we are overloaded. Our arms are full, our mini-vans are racing, and our meals-on-the-go are not exactly nourishing. We frequently do not take time out to smell the roses. Nor do we take time to light a candle at dinner to create a special ambiance. Furthermore, it can even seem too cumbersome to grind our own coffee beans for that fresh morning pot, when instant or ground coffee is so much faster. What about taking time out for personal reading and meditation? Stuff other than the junk mail and the school bulletins.
Taking time out for yourself will allow you to regain perspective; likewise, it will re-energize you for your multitude of family tasks ahead. When my toddler's pronunciation of "Mommy" started sounding like two separate words, "Mom" and "Meeee", it seemed sort of cute at first. Likewise, it was amusing when she started taking her diaper off and leaving it on the floor. At first glance of those bare little buns, my lips could not resist a smile; however, after a few poopy ones, I was totally over it. As moms, we get exhausted by certain things that our kids do. And that's okay, but we do have to recharge our own batteries so that we can regain control of our lives and enjoy the ride as well.
Sometimes people need permission to treat themselves well. So, here goes. I'm charging you with these tasks: "Pamper yourself and slow down to better care for yourself!". Everything can't be done in a sprint; nor can it be done too simplistically. You need to do a few things that take longer because they make your moments more special. Go ahead, light the candle, take time for that relaxing stretching routine or that spiritual time of reflection and meditation. Go for the bubble bath even though it takes longer than a shower because you are worth it. Ultimately, you will see that your productivity increases and that your peace of mind improves as well.
In contrast to these images, as moms, we are overloaded. Our arms are full, our mini-vans are racing, and our meals-on-the-go are not exactly nourishing. We frequently do not take time out to smell the roses. Nor do we take time to light a candle at dinner to create a special ambiance. Furthermore, it can even seem too cumbersome to grind our own coffee beans for that fresh morning pot, when instant or ground coffee is so much faster. What about taking time out for personal reading and meditation? Stuff other than the junk mail and the school bulletins.
Taking time out for yourself will allow you to regain perspective; likewise, it will re-energize you for your multitude of family tasks ahead. When my toddler's pronunciation of "Mommy" started sounding like two separate words, "Mom" and "Meeee", it seemed sort of cute at first. Likewise, it was amusing when she started taking her diaper off and leaving it on the floor. At first glance of those bare little buns, my lips could not resist a smile; however, after a few poopy ones, I was totally over it. As moms, we get exhausted by certain things that our kids do. And that's okay, but we do have to recharge our own batteries so that we can regain control of our lives and enjoy the ride as well.
Sometimes people need permission to treat themselves well. So, here goes. I'm charging you with these tasks: "Pamper yourself and slow down to better care for yourself!". Everything can't be done in a sprint; nor can it be done too simplistically. You need to do a few things that take longer because they make your moments more special. Go ahead, light the candle, take time for that relaxing stretching routine or that spiritual time of reflection and meditation. Go for the bubble bath even though it takes longer than a shower because you are worth it. Ultimately, you will see that your productivity increases and that your peace of mind improves as well.
Labels: moms, peace of mind, spring
