I was talking to a dear friend of mine the other day, and I was immediately struck that what I see within her and what she sees within herself are totally different.
This is how I view her.
A stunning and talented self-less mother who would do anything for her family. She puts the needs of everyone else before her own. Her vivacious personality is matched to her beauty. She has no idea how amazing she is.
I have had conversations over the past two weeks with a few women. There was a universal theme for all of us. We feel stuck in some area of our lives, and don’t know how to move out of it.
It happens so often to me. I’m in a stage of life, and rather than enjoying the stage I’m at now, I’m looking ahead to the next stage. The problem with that is I don’t live in the moment and miss valuing the great events happening NOW. It’s only after I’ve moved onto the next stage that I realize I should have enjoyed the previous stage because now it’s passed me by. Does that ever happen to you?
It’s tough sometimes to find the balance between moving forward and enjoying the moment. When you are constantly looking ahead and wondering how you are going to arrive at whatever destination you’ve deemed as the “end goal” it’s overwhelming. It also brings with it a feeling of failure because we aren’t at the stage we want to be.
I realized this week, that sometimes moving forward means focussing on the now. The stage of life I am in at this moment. When I say that out loud, I feel freedom to just enjoy life rather than wish I was doing something more with it. There are so many ways to enjoy the now.
Here I go again, pushing the exercise wagon…but seriously, it only takes a 1/2 hour of exercise to change my mindset. Eating the right foods gives me energy. You couple exercise and eating healthy and it’s a recipe for feeling value and pride in ones self. As moms we often put ourselves last, but taking time for ourselves is essential and allows us to give more of ourselves to those we love. Really, the most important thing in life is family.
Find the things that bring you the most joy to your heart…and run with it. We only have the one life to live…we often forget that until we’ve lost someone we love. It’s completely in our control how we chose to live it. Life is about choices and we know deep inside which choices are the best for ourselves and those we value most. Pay attention to that inner voice, and enjoy the ride.
For the Bon Jovi fans out there… 🙂
From my heart to yours,
Christine
Reclaiming LIFE 
You are completely correct Christine. Recently I have definitely enjoyed living in the moment. I realize that my kids playing in the mud puddles are great photographing experiences but if I don’t join in and get muddy too I’ve missed the experience. Now I take a few quick pictures of them or an event and I put the camera down and enjoy the experience. Pictures only capture part of the experience but enjoying the whole experience gives greater meaning to those pictures.
I have also learned to appreciate the girls growing up. We celebrate each little moment and I don’t look ahead to what may be next because that brings sadness as they grow older and more independent. It is kind of like they don’t need me as much anymore. I know they will always need me but just in different ways.
I have learned to celebrate little things in my own life as well. I take pride in knowing that I just accomplished 15 minutes on the elliptical and that is a celebration. I want to be able to reach 30 minutes and keep at it 4 times a week but right now that looks hard. Each time I accomplish 15 minutes that shows some dedication and I am proud of it because that is 15 minutes I haven’t done before. It has been 4 years since I worked out on a regular basis and I need to make small steps. I’ve learned from you to celebrate each small step and enjoy the moment.
Thanks Christine because you are an inspiration to all women.
You can work up to 30 minutes for sure Helena! I know it seems impossible to work up to a certain goal, but it’s amazing how fast the body adapts and how strong a person becomes. Thanks for sharing. Your girls are very lucky to have such a devoted, caring, and fun-loving Mom.