How are you? How was your weekend? Mine was the right amount of fast and slow. Maybe lacking a bit on the productive side of things— but only in regards to ‘productive’ in go-go-go sense. Looking around, my to do list is probably longer than I’d like it to be. There are for sure things that I’ll need to do soon. And things that I don’t need to do, but probably should do or should have done— months ago.
But I did make babaganoush from scratch today– and watched three hours of planet earth— so that has to be worth something? I think it might be worth a lot. But again, thats all about perspective and priorities. Ya know?
One afternoon this week (I believe it was Friday) I tied the laces on my sneakers and clicked on Marlowe’s bike helmet (why yes, I do own sneakers). We went outside. And as she started speeding off on her bike I yelled, “think about what you want for dinner!” And quickly after (almost immediately) I yelled, “WAIT! Don’t think about dinner. Think about your bike ride and how much you are enjoying it on this beautiful day!” She shouted, “OKAY!” and continued off, with me, trailing not too far behind her.
I don’t want my kid to be put into a multitask- go go go mentality. I mean, it’s almost undoubtedly inevitable, but if it’s going to happen, I don’t want it to be by my doing. She’s going to learn how to multitask– she’ll need to in order to keep up with this fast paced tech growing world. But I don’t want her to be so programmed to it that she completely overlooks all the joyous details that make up her life. We’re not really taught how to be present anymore. (Well, I don’t know if we ever were.) As a species we’ve been so inherently trained to survive, thrive, and succeed (again, ‘success’ being subjective). And thats cool and all. I mean, I don’t want her to be some sort of lump that never gets anywhere and simply sits there all lump like— and enjoys that. I want her to succeed in whatever makes her happy and is beneficial for our planet. But most importantly, I want her to really enjoy all of it. Every detail of her life. I want her to be present in her current state and not preoccupied with the idea of the future.
There’s something to be said about having the ability to finding shear bliss in laying outside and enjoying the nature around you. I truly believe that. I don’t want her to lose her lust for learning and constant state of curiosity. Those traits will get her places. And I believe that encouraging her be present will help (her) nurture that. I hope so anyway. If she stops finding awe in the world around her and her very own existence, than I haven’t done my job.
So right now and and every day this week— unless you’re currently making or eating pasta, I challenge you guys to not think about pasta— to go through your tasks (however joyous or painstaking) and enjoy them. You can figure out dinner later— your endless to do list will be there when you’re done spending meaningful time with the people around you, at the end of your meal, when your walk is over, whatever it is that is in front of you — that you should or could be enjoying. Whats the point in living if we’re just fighting for the next step without really living through the good parts that are undoubtedly right in front of us. I mean, don’t get me wrong, there is a hell of a lot of bad out there too– but let’s focus on the good. Cool? I’m off to finish some more work and enjoy the rest of my quiet hours before sleep.
Don’t let right now pass you by.
I hope you guys have a really amazing ‘productive’ and wonderful week. <3<3
8 Comments
Your post is really appreciated, thank you Drea for reminding us to live the moment – everyone should do this and face life in an optimistic way 🙂
even the ones who have nothing nice to say 😉
This was a beautiful post and so well-written. I know this is not at all what you mean, but I hate pasta, so I definitely won't be thinking about it. I get what you mean though. As humans, we often keep our heads in the future and not in the present moment. That's something I've been doing with my kids, though they are much older than your little one. I have a 21-year-old, one that is turning eighteen, and one that just turned 15. When we're all together, we have been trying to live in the moment and I like that way of being. I like it very much 🙂
~Laurali Star
http://www.lauralistarxo.com
all pasta or just red pasta? haha. Honestly lately Marlowe has been hating pasta. its so weird. She used to love pasta with red sauce and now she never wants it.
And that sounds great Laurali 🙂 living in the moment is totally way to do it. Mindfully making each choice, etc 🙂 It's made things a lot better around here too.
Haha, yeah all pasta. I never really liked it that much, but since finding out I had colitis, I have been getting rid of most breads and pastas, almost all of it from my diet. My stomach is very sensitive. I eat a lot like you do, though I do splurge on the occasional vegan, gluten-free pizza. That sorta thing. I wonder if Marlowe is just so healthy now, her tastebuds have changed 🙂 I love seeing kids eat so healthy and make such positive eating choices. Kudos to Marloew! My 15-year-old has become a vegan this year and before that, was a vegetarian for years. She came to these choices on her own and it always made me proud. Sounds like Marlowe is a lot like that 🙂
~Laurali Star
~oops! Marlowe, not Marloew. Typing error. My bad.
And what about the joy that Marlowe experienced when she was "allowed" to have a relationship with her grandparents. You've made the decision to cut that joy out of her life, without her having a say in that decision. "Focus on the good"? So much of what you write about and reality are big contradictions. It's very sad. And I hope you don't regret it one day. For your sake and for the sake of the people you love.
if you dont have anything nice to say…
Amy Stern: What the hell, lady?