Reduce the complexity of life by eliminating the needless wants of life, and the labors of life reduce themselves. -Edwin Way Teale
As much as the last three and a half months have seemed like a whirlwind to us at times, it has also been a time for us to really sit back and simply enjoy time. Our greatest joy is one you will hear over and over again, going to the beach. We have already established a few weekly traditions. The first is Family Fridays. We like to finish out our week or shall we say start the weekend at the beach. It is so nice to eat an early dinner, put on our swim suits, sandals and head out to the always amazing sunset on the beach.
The second weekly tradition is lunch date Mondays. Mike's day off is on Monday so we have been enjoying our time as a couple together exploring new places to eat and of course, a romantic walk on the beach. It is a time for Mike and me to reconnect each week.
Just the other day we were walking out to Caladesi Island for our Monday date and we saw a small school of stingrays close to the shore where we were walking. We had never seen anything like that up so close to us. It was a beautiful site with a hint of danger thrown into it. Obviously they can harm one if stepped upon but we were very careful to stay a good distance away. On that same walk we saw dolphins out playing as well. Being surrounded by such vibrant life is truly inspiring.
Just the other day we were walking out to Caladesi Island for our Monday date and we saw a small school of stingrays close to the shore where we were walking. We had never seen anything like that up so close to us. It was a beautiful site with a hint of danger thrown into it. Obviously they can harm one if stepped upon but we were very careful to stay a good distance away. On that same walk we saw dolphins out playing as well. Being surrounded by such vibrant life is truly inspiring.
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| Baby stingray - see how they blend into the sand |
I do not think that life in Florida is necessarily less stressful - just different (sometimes VERY different!). The other day, as I was enjoying a bike ride along the Pinellas trail, I was thinking about the human process of worrying. I think as a mom we have this built into us from the start. I think my number one worry since moving down here has been about the girls. I worried about how they would transition, would they make friends, would their school be a good fit, would they be healthy and happy. The list could go on and on if I let it. As I was on this bike ride a huge personal realization came to mind; it does not matter if they are age eight or thirty - I will always worry about them.
For some reason this thought brought me some relief. I think it is important that before we look at any outside factors that may be causing us stress or worry that we first look inside ourselves. A lot of the worry that I place upon myself for my girls is just that - my own junk, my own insecurities. I know that life is not always fair and that there are such things as growing pains. I have to realize that my girls are going to experience amazing things in life and sometimes, not so great things as well. I think as mothers, parents we want the best for our kids but we have to realize that the best is not always going to be as we envisioned it.
I think that outside factors overburden our thoughts and minds. The more we seek to control things that we cannot, the more out of control we feel. This made me think back to the girls, to simply raising children. It is easy to get caught up in the "are we on track" game as parents. It starts even before they are born. I remember reading the "What to expect while expecting" book during my first pregnancy and it already started pouring on the mommy guilt in utero. I remember feeling so bad that Fiona was such a tiny baby when she was born because everyone seemed to deem giant, plump babies as the best. I was worried that she would never talk because she was not talking as much as the books told us she should be by age two.
It is funny to look back on these things that at one point in life seemed so overwhelming. I ditched the "What to" book with my second pregnancy and both Fiona and Chloe are healthy weights with no problems of verbally communicating to the world. Oh yes, there have been other issues of worry with both girls but being able to examine first why I am worried seems to guide me to some reasonable answers. Most of the reasons fall on me and my expectations.
The connection to a good yoga practice in my mind has always been being able to let go of judgment and expectations during a practice. So many of us walk into a yoga class and expect something, maybe an awesome workout, a sense of peace or simply time to relax. None of these are bad but if we are so set on them what happens if they are not delivered? I see this often with those just starting a yoga practice. They come to class with a list of expectations instead of an open mind and heart. What most of us do not understand with yoga is that the poses are just the beginning; there is a lot of other stuff that make up a yoga practice. The process of leaving behind expectations not only applies on one's yoga mat but in life indeed.
I read something the other day that reminded me of our discovery of the school of stingrays. The article said that one of the best things you can do for yourself each day is to look at something that takes your breath away. If you cannot actually be in that breathtaking moment or place than look at a picture of it. Well, we are lucky to be surrounded by breathtaking Gulf views and sea creatures. It does make us happier just to be there in the sand, feel the breeze, smell the salt air and feel the water crash against our bodies. It seems so simple and yet it really works. Does it make the worry go away permanently? Of course not, but it does ease the process and at the end of the day the mantra, "It is all going to work out," really does lesson the load.
When we head to the beach we are able to let go of many of those expectations. It might be the same but at any moment it could be very different as well. Seasons change, life throws us curveballs, and yet nothing is permanent. So my advice to us all - just go out and do something you love without over thinking it - enjoy whatever is to come.
May the breathtaking moments in me honor the breathtaking moments in you.
Namaste
For some reason this thought brought me some relief. I think it is important that before we look at any outside factors that may be causing us stress or worry that we first look inside ourselves. A lot of the worry that I place upon myself for my girls is just that - my own junk, my own insecurities. I know that life is not always fair and that there are such things as growing pains. I have to realize that my girls are going to experience amazing things in life and sometimes, not so great things as well. I think as mothers, parents we want the best for our kids but we have to realize that the best is not always going to be as we envisioned it.
I think that outside factors overburden our thoughts and minds. The more we seek to control things that we cannot, the more out of control we feel. This made me think back to the girls, to simply raising children. It is easy to get caught up in the "are we on track" game as parents. It starts even before they are born. I remember reading the "What to expect while expecting" book during my first pregnancy and it already started pouring on the mommy guilt in utero. I remember feeling so bad that Fiona was such a tiny baby when she was born because everyone seemed to deem giant, plump babies as the best. I was worried that she would never talk because she was not talking as much as the books told us she should be by age two.
It is funny to look back on these things that at one point in life seemed so overwhelming. I ditched the "What to" book with my second pregnancy and both Fiona and Chloe are healthy weights with no problems of verbally communicating to the world. Oh yes, there have been other issues of worry with both girls but being able to examine first why I am worried seems to guide me to some reasonable answers. Most of the reasons fall on me and my expectations.
The connection to a good yoga practice in my mind has always been being able to let go of judgment and expectations during a practice. So many of us walk into a yoga class and expect something, maybe an awesome workout, a sense of peace or simply time to relax. None of these are bad but if we are so set on them what happens if they are not delivered? I see this often with those just starting a yoga practice. They come to class with a list of expectations instead of an open mind and heart. What most of us do not understand with yoga is that the poses are just the beginning; there is a lot of other stuff that make up a yoga practice. The process of leaving behind expectations not only applies on one's yoga mat but in life indeed.
I read something the other day that reminded me of our discovery of the school of stingrays. The article said that one of the best things you can do for yourself each day is to look at something that takes your breath away. If you cannot actually be in that breathtaking moment or place than look at a picture of it. Well, we are lucky to be surrounded by breathtaking Gulf views and sea creatures. It does make us happier just to be there in the sand, feel the breeze, smell the salt air and feel the water crash against our bodies. It seems so simple and yet it really works. Does it make the worry go away permanently? Of course not, but it does ease the process and at the end of the day the mantra, "It is all going to work out," really does lesson the load.
When we head to the beach we are able to let go of many of those expectations. It might be the same but at any moment it could be very different as well. Seasons change, life throws us curveballs, and yet nothing is permanent. So my advice to us all - just go out and do something you love without over thinking it - enjoy whatever is to come.
May the breathtaking moments in me honor the breathtaking moments in you.
Namaste
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| Sunset at the beach = one happy girl |
