Adaptation & Children

This has been quite a change, obviously, for everybody.

New country, new culture, new home, new foods, new climate, new friends...  Lots and lots of changes happening.  It got me thinking about the benefits of pushing myself out to the edges of my comfort zone.  Why that might be a really good thing.  

What happens to ones spirit when we stay safely tucked away in our cozy little spot?  What might we be missing out on if we choose to stay there?  Maybe for some people, staying in their "safe spot" works really well, and that's truly what brings out the best in them.  Or maybe the thought of leaving there scares them enough to keep them in place?  

Of  course, the answers to those questions will be very personal, but allow me to share mine...

I think it's a really good thing for our children to watch us struggle and challenge ourselves.  This experience has provided many invitations for both of those things!  The struggles haven't been dangerous or life-altering, by any means, but even the little things like figuring out which store to shop at and how to get by (living in the country) without a CAR gives us opportunities to practice our adaptability skills.

By watching us try - and fail...  and try again -  and succeed, they see how the whole process works and that they can roll along through it with grace and gratitude.  That's what I want them to know and carry with them as they encounter their own challenges throughout life.

I want them to know it's safe to jump out on a ledge, take a risk, leap without a net.  That they can follow their hearts yearnings, even if it's a little on the scary side.  That they'll survive and conquer whatever bumps come between them and their dreams.  That they might even thrive doing just that!

There are many families who would love to do something like this, but their excuses get the best of them:

"... that would be so fun, but we don't want our kids to miss school..." -- ugh. ;)

"... that would never work for us, because our kids really love their neighborhood/school/house/friends"

"... what a great experience, but it would be so hard on our kids to be away from (insert person/place/thing here)"

"... we wouldn't want to change things up for our kids so much; that would be really hard on them"

THE reason we're doing this is for our kids, and what this journey can offer them!!!  This is an opportunity to learn about so many other options, people, ways of life, critters and on and on.  This is a beautiful opportunity for them to learn about themselves.  I don't know how this experience will impact them, but I do know that it will.

Isn't that what life is all about, after-all?  Experiences.  What's the point if we're not up for something new?

Healing

Today I participated in a day-long educational and training event to learn more about the Body Talk healing modality.  The class I took - Body Talk Access -  taught me 5 quick and easy techniques that I can now use on myself, my family and others seeking energetic, non-invasive, intuitive, whole body healing.

But let me back this up just a bit.

Earlier this summer, I'd made the decision that after the Access class, I would take the "next step" and go for the more (much more) intensive training that Body Talk Fundamentals: Part 1 & Part 2 offer.

Then, I wavered.

I spent a bunch of time up in my head (oo.. I hate it when I do that!) telling myself all the reasons that wouldn't be a good idea.

"you're going to Costa Rica 9 days after the class... you'll never be able to retain all that information... you always do this, Karen, jump into things and then lack the follow through... it's such a pattern of yours to get all excited and bite off more than you can chew... and on... and on... and on..."

Well, that's just not serving me at all, now is it?!?  I am willing and wide open and READY to embrace with my whole heart this new experience.  Attending the Access class today has given me the courage to move forward and trust the process.

I'm excited (nervous, scared, hopeful, and lots of other describing words here!) about this new chapter.  For 13 years, I've been playing the Mom role very heavily.  I've been interested in all things alternative since bringing our first child into the world, but raising my children has been my priority.

And so here I go.  Very much looking forward to watching this new journey unfold for me and taking an even more active role in our health.

I'm ready.

Our day in phrases, cuz mama's too tired to think

coffee with the one I love
picnic packing
waking children
yogurt, fruit, pecans and chia seeds
mcgriddles - yep, you read that right :)
1.5 hour drive through the gorgeous hills that we call home
VW westie cruzin'
happy children
peeing on a gravel road
exploring the hilly slopes, weeds and creek after the pee
sanctuary with UU's
Pathways Spiritual Sanctuary
meandering hike
babies and snacks
picnic lunch under a shady tree
sleepy stroller ride
Buddhist water ceremony
carrot eating horses
sun and blue sky
ice cream with beloved friends
playing and falling more in love with ZJ
lots of nursing time 
giggles and funny faces, enough so to warrant picture taking by passing bikers
left-overs
pitiful fire pit fire
but hot enough to burn little fingers :(
snuggles with my biggest boy
sleepy time

Summer Snapshots

A half hour after this photo was taken, we all loaded up to go join the Halo: Reach prelaunch party at Game Stop. Well, Saylor enjoyed the festivities, the rest of us hung out in the car and read Harry Potter. And slept. ;)
Big Daddy on the Rope Swing.
Saylor on the rope swing.
Sunshine Girl.
Hangin' with the friends.

To My Children

I was reading Post Secret today, and this particular post stuck out to me in a big way.

When I think long and hard about the kind of influence I want to have on my children, and the type of relationship I wish for with them, it comes back to this.

I know the feeling of 'guarding' myself when talking to or hanging out with my family. And I feel sorry for them that they don't know me, my authentic, whole, beautiful Self. It's my own fault, I realize this. I wonder how to begin showing them, and wonder, also, why it has to be so hard and scary to be real with people. Baby steps... I know I'll get there.

I work very hard every day practicing acceptance and loving kindness with my children, so they know deep down that they never need to guard themselves with me. They never need to 'omit' part of a story, or feel shameful or embarrassed sharing their thoughts with me, for fear that I will judge them. Each of them has a life of their own, they are on a journey that may or may not reflect bits of my own, and that's ok. It's better than ok. It's the way of the world, whether people want to admit it or not. Some people think they will be successful in controlling their kids to do what they say, when they say, etc. It might work for a while, but I wonder if they stop to think about the damage being done? Do they understand that they are likely missing out on knowing the true essence of that child? What a tragedy. To know oneself is the most important thing we can do for ourselves, yet so many of us have no idea who we really are. I wonder why that is......?!

To my beautiful children, the Lights of my life:

I promise to love you, to accept you, to celebrate life with you no matter what that looks like. I promise not to have that look of disapproval, or that tone in my voice that makes you feel bad or less, I promise to jump right in there with you to share whatever emotion you're sharing with me. I promise to be Grateful for this life that we get to spend *together*, and I can't wait to watch as your life continues to unfold for you.

You amaze me every day. I'm so Glad to be your Mama... <3