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Life is short. Time Flies. Time and tide wait for no one. Carpe Diem. Enjoy the moment.
We've heard them all.
When my children were very young, I would often be told things like, "Enjoy this time now. It goes by so fast!" It was incessant frankly and I definitely did a few eye rolls, brushing off the well-intended clichés as over-used and un-important to me in the moment. "Of course I was enjoying my children," I thought.
Now, with a recent high school graduate and a second just entering the teen years, I find myself looking at those younger moms, and I feel the need to pass on the wisdom so many tried to pass along to me. I hear myself saying to many, "You are going to blink, and they will be grown. Love this time with them!"
They really do grow up so fast. On this side of the parenting coin, I've learned a lot; like not to sweat the small stuff, that "this too shall pass" and above all, love is always part of the answer.
As I watch my oldest transition to soon becoming a college student, I'm even more keenly aware that life really is short; and beautiful and awe-inspiring and meaningful and joy-filled..... and if we choose, we have ample opportunities each day to create peaceful experiences and fulfilling relationships. And we do have choices.
We have a choice how we respond to the people in our lives; those we see every day and those with whom we share fleeting moments. Too often, we give our power away to be peaceful to our perceptions. We make assumptions about what others are thinking and feeling, we create unrealistic expectations of who we are and what we should be. Too often, we speak loosely and listen feebly both internally and externally. I am certainly no exception but I'm learning.
I'm reminded of what I want to create moving forward by taking an honest look back. I've learned that being right isn't necessary but being loving is. I've learned that an alternative to being annoyed is to be compassionate. I've learned that judgment is exhausting and acceptance is freedom. I've learned that shame is constricting and honor provides expansion. I've learned that defensive walls are draining and healthy boundaries are energizing. I've learned that what I resist gets bigger and surrendering to what is brings clarity and opportunity. I've learned that scarcity is a dis-empowering mindset and gratitude is always an option. I've learned that fear and anxiety will consistently keep me off balance and trust and faith are centering forces. I've learned that vulnerability and a willingness to be seen is strength personified. Above all, I have learned that in every moment, I have everything I need to make strong choices and that my individual choices really do have the ability to affect the whole.
I continue to learn.
In reflecting on the "Life is Short" mantra, this summer, more than ever, I choose peace.
We are all really that powerful.
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