People say all the time to “live in the moment.” I can’t tell you how
many older parents have said to me, “enjoy them while they are
young; the little years are over so quickly.” I have to admit, my
frazzled brain secretly scoffs when I hear this well intentioned
advice.
I’m in the trenches. Most days I don’t even look in the mirror much less
pause to appreciate all of the little blessings or smell the roses.
On the other hand, I know they are right. Along my fitness
journey I’ve experienced and benefited
from this same truth. The destination means nothing without the
quality of life achieved by the journey. If you think about it,
living is the only point in goal setting.
I want to see this better in my role as mother. My kids are much
better people than me. They are more honest, more forgiving, and
more trusting. They have so much to offer me
and the outside world. It is just really hard to see and hear it among
the din of laughter over butts and poop and farting.
rearing are and keep those beliefs always in the front of my mind.
I need to have parenting goals that I am trying to reach in relation
to understanding my children and showing appreciation of their
individual strengths.
“To journey happily may be better even than achieving the desired destination.”
Jordan Peterson
Angus is seven. He is the most affectionate human being I’ve ever met.
He is a high energy fellow, but not in explosive power as much as in
endurance. He has a fire in him that I love and admire so much. He
will grow up to be a powerhouse worker and friend. He is intelligent
and driven and we are constantly reminding him of
“stranger danger”. He is just too friendly. Unfortunately, his brothers
don’t really appreciate this power like I do. Angus annoys and pesters
a lot of people.
Angus knows how to live “in the moment.” He loves people without
reservation, he expects the best of them. He is not easily burned or
beaten. He is quick to laugh and quick to hug it out. Angus lives fully
in every moment.
I think living in the moment and enjoying the journey comes down to
gratitude and mindfulness. I need to slow down and just watch them
play and work, and look in their eyes when they ask for my attention.
I need to play games with them and work alongside of them.
Living in the moment is less about snapping pictures and taking cute
videos and more about nourishing the bonds with your kids that you
can’t exactly see, only see the signs of.
How can you savor the little years when
the kids are the most needy and the little troubles grate constantly
on your psyche? The answer is to fully accept the challenge of
parenthood by realizing that the only way the future carries any hope
with it is when you see every trial, every challenge as just as important
as the the destination.
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