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💤💤💤💤 nap time 💤💤💤

In my Ayurvedic course we had a discussion about kids with ADD and how sometimes being chronically sleep deprived presents the same symptoms   

We discussed how kids will sometimes use electronics to stmulate their brains to stay awake when they naturally would want to fall asleep. I agreed with this theory but kind of out it out of my mind   

This morning I woke up at 5   I got up , had breakfast and some tea, and sat in my chair reading for a while. I soon discovered that I was exhausted and that no one wanted or need anything from me in that particular moment. I headed back up to bed for the most delicious nap. 

Usually in Ayurveda they say not to nap during the day, but there are certain circumstances where it is recommended and right now I fit quite a few of them. There has been so much going on that I’m physically and mentally exhausted. 

So I slept. And it was awesome. And when I woke again two hours later (giggle) I felt ready to take on the world. 

I realized when I woke up that had we had a tv here I probably would have plunked in front of it and not napped when I obviously really needed to. I can see how it adds to sleep deprivation. 

It was the beginning of the happiness moment of my day. It actually set me up for my happiness moment which happened tonight while walking with the kids and the dogs 

      

It also kind of happened earlier today at Target with Jacob. Man, he’s a funny kid  

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Icicle

I have to admit, when I woke up this morning and looked out and saw there was still snow on the ground I rolled over and moaned “nooooo, it’s Apirl 7. Snow? Still?” I am a summer person.

But Jenna, Jenna came running to me later in the morning when we were getting ready to go over to my parents’ place and said “mommy, you need to come out back so I can show you the icicles.”

She was so excited, I grumbled my way around the back of the house, and sure enough, there on the roof of the mud room were a row of wonderful icicles hanging.

She grabbed one and ran off with it.

She sucked on that icicle the whole time I showered and got ready, kept it in the car with her the entire way into town and finally announced at the door of her grandma’s house that she was done with it and threw it on the lawn (it was a much, much smaller version by that time).

Her finding joy in the weather, appreciating the sun and the icicles and the beautiful morning was my moment of happiness today.

Except that before all of that,

This

Happened:

I had been sitting having my morning cup of tea watching the Golden Girls when I was joined by Jacob shortly followed by Jenna. They sat and giggled and watched the episode with me and when it was over I went to turn of my iPad and move on with the morning. Both of them informed me that they weren’t done watching and wanted to see the next episode. Fun family bonding time – also a heart warming happiness moment.

We needed them because there were some unpleasant moments today too. I am so grateful that I have the intention to focus on and find a happiness moment in every day.

I am completely humbled by the grace and bravery of my dad. I learn so much about how to be a quietly strong person from him.

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A day with my boy

Completely unplanned today I  had a day with my boy. My baby who is only 3 months away from being 14 and driving, my baby who wears size 10.5 shoes. How did he grow up so quickly?

Our fun day started with me teaching him to play chopsticks and a few other silly songs on the piano 

 

He loved it and we laughed and giggled for at least an hour making silly music. Then we had to go to town to get tires put on the car I’m driving. While we waited we walked over to Tim Hortons, because we are back in Canada now and that’s what you do. We took a selfie because Jacob and me selfies are what we do    

   

We went to visit dad and then did some errands at the mall. He held my hand at the mall   And when he did it he said “yes mom, I’m holding your hand. Can you please not make a big deal about it and just enjoy it?”  So I did. 

We giggled and laughed and really enjoyed being with each other. This is my happiness moment  for the day. I am so grateful for the relationships I have. 

Another one of my doors opened and my dear husband is dealing not only with shipping my dog and cat here, but also with the last of the moving details. Which I’ve done too many times before so I know they’re not only a hassle but also kind of emotional. I’m grateful for that. Xoxo

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Finding the path of least resistance on a challenging road 

My intention this year is to follow the path of least resistance.  Which is a much easier thing to do when I’m flowing happily down a path of my choosing. Sometimes I find ( after the fact) that I’ve veered off my easy flowing path onto a more challenging road. This last little while seems kind of like that. I had a plan. Seriously…. It didn’t look like where I am now. 

I’ve had many conversations with God the past couple of weeks informing Him of my feelings about this path I’m on. About how perhaps He didn’t notice that I’d spent a great deal of time planning and meditating and preparing to walk down this new, easier path of least resistance. Then He threw a bunch of crap at me that wasn’t part of the deal. 

But here’s what I’ve noticed. More than at any other point in my life, every time I’ve needed something a door has opened and I’ve received a helping hand. It happened with packing up the house, again with this lovely lady we met on the plane, we had an entire house set up by my cousin when we got here, a wonderful school accepted the kids when we were out of district and didn’t have any paperwork organized, it goes on and on. Actually tonight I met a lady in the elevator at the hospital who was pulling a roller bag. I commented what a great idea it was and she said she would go out and buy one for me to have. What an offer of kindness. 

So often I feel like I’m invisible in life, but this past bit has made me realize I’m so not. 

Tonight my dad was talking about how he feels like he’s discovered a prayer bank in be clouds and he’s been drawing strength from this unlimited source of love. I feel the same way   Ask, then turn your intention towards giving and receiving love and that’s what you get. Even when it seems like a wrong turn on the path. I guess that’s how I’m following this new path with the least resistance I can muster. Because somewhere there is a plan. There has to be because I’m so clearly being guided and held by love. 

 

My happiness moment today came when I looked out the window at this view while making lunch. Jenna was out playing in the barn that my grandpa built. That I spent hours and hours playing in myself when I was her age. Where I used to bring Pirate in and talk to him for hours while I groomed him. It brought me such joy to see her experience that same peace and happiness   

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Girl jumping. Dad hugging. 

There have been some big changes and big events going on in our lives lately. Last week dad went into the hospital with pneumonia (or something like that).  After a few very worrisome days, the kids and I had people in to pack our house. In the blink of an eye we were gone from Virginia and back in Calgary, with the pets and our stuff to follow us shortly. 

We are now back home. HOME. Surrounded by family and love. The outpouring of love from the family has been amazing. I even had a cousin set up an entire house for me! The kids and I are living in the house my great grandfather built. Which is just across the yard from my parents’ house (which my grandfather built).  I can look out our window and see the beloved barn. 

Even though it all happened so quickly that half the time the kids and I don’t know which end is up – it’s good to be home   

With all the stress of the last little while, I’m extra thankful that I’ve been making a point to find a moment of happiness every day. It’s so much better to be spending my day seeking out that happy feeling than it is to stress and worry about things that are beyond my control. 

Today I’m extra lucky because I have two moments. 

Because we have moved so much I’ve had to be more of a helicopter parent. Not having other people to rely on, I’ve had to keep a close eye on the kids all the time. They couldn’t go anywhere without me knowing because it was not safe. 

Today I was getting ready to leave and couldn’t find Jenna. After searching all over the house I went outside to see her across the way jumping on her cousin’s trampoline. She actually had asked me, I’d just forgotten. But I was so happy that she is in such a familiar environment that she can wander around outside and play. This is the childhood I’ve always dreamed of for her. A happy moment. 

I had a wonderful visit with dad this afternoon. When I got up to leave he stood up and gave me a huge bear hug. Which felt so good for Many reasons, one being that he was feeling well enough to squeeze my breath out. A truely wonderful and happy moment. 

It was a happy day. I go to bed with a warm heart   

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Lunch date 

Happiness is being invited to Jenna’s lunch at school and seeing her giggle and have fun with her group of girls. I love how happy she is. 



Sometimes I struggle with re,embering ti live in the present moment. Sometimes it seems like the present moment isn’t all that fun. But really, some joy can be found in every moment. I’m working in training my brain to live like the dog and cat. Happily focused on where they are right now. And if their food dish is full 



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Do one thing a day that scares you

I’ve been scattered again today. I realized this because of my tea cups. It started when I made a cup of tea this morning and then dumped it and put it in the dishwasher (wahhhhh). I’ve found at least 3 half finished cups around the house from the day which means I’ve put them down and then completely forgotten them. 

Thank goodness I didn’t have to do anything important today. 

One of my favourite mantras I got from the side of my lululemon bag years ago DO ONE THING A DAY THAT SCARES YOU. I came across it when I was in the midst of my anxiety time and I held onto it. Sometimes the only thing I could do that day that scared me was get out of bed.



Doing things that scare you don’t have to be big things. Fears are relative to the person. Things that scare me may not scare you. 

But sometimes life is just scary and that’s part of living life. 

Because bad things can be scary – the boogeyman, finances, security. But good things can be scary – love is probably the scariest thing you can do. But imagine life without it. 

Love fearlessly. It’s the only way. 

My happiness moment was tonight at Jenna’s school. They had a civil war performance and it was so fun to get to see her up there. 

My Canadian ignorance showed through. I thought Goober Peas was a kids song Burl Ives sang (I grew up listening to mom’s album. Also thought big rock candy mountain was a kids song. And yellow submarine for that matter). It was fun to watch her so fearless up on stage 



 

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Helpful hands help with balance

I woke up feeling pretty out of sorts today. Stressed and anxious about things I can’t do anything about. Some of them really big deals some of them not, but either way not things I can change. And stressing and being anxious is not helpful in any circumstance.

So, I sat and meditated and then walked the dog. When I came home I was looking around the house feeling so overwhelmed. Somehow over the weekend we’d turned it into a disaster area, which for sure would mean that someone would want to come look at the place.

But then my cleaning fairy showed up. Today was the day my cleaning lady comes. I’ve hired her to come every two weeks and the difference in my life has been amazing. The amount of stress it has taken away is huge. Having that extra helping hand helps put balance back in my life. It helps with the overwhelmed feeling. It helps let those anxiety feelings go away.

It does not change those things that stress me out but it sure sets me up to deal with them better.

I’ve decided that any little thing that can be done to help make those things that stress me out go away is an absolute must in life. How much more enjoyable life is when I am able to let go of things that are overwhelming or create unnecessary stress. How much better it is to have helping hands come in and support, and how much better it is to be able to be a helping hand back to someone who needs it.

Because when you need help and there’s a community of loving hands there to help you it makes things so much better.

My happiness moment today was the feeling I had when my housecleaner left the house and it felt so good and clean and relaxing. But it spreads out into larger areas of my life. I’m so thankful for those people who are able to step in and give support and love and guidance when it’s needed, and I’m thankful I have people whom I love and can give support and love back to.

Then, as a reminder that He is in fact part of that community that gives love and support, God made the most amazing sunset tonight. The picture does not do it justice – Jacob and I had to pull off the road to take the picture. It was setting over the mountains and Jacob said it looked like a dancing dragon.

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Forced family fun time

Even though it always starts as the most horrible thing I could do, the kids actually enjoy the forced family fun walk along the river. I haven’t made them do it very often in the winter because the cold and the whining together was more than I could handle. But, today was sunshiney and pretty out so we braved it. After the obligatory grumble, grumble, grumble they started playing catch and running around like…. well…. kids having fun.

I’m so glad we forced ourselves out of the house and enjoyed some of what Mother Nature has to offer.

Sometimes you end up being a bump on a log. She thought this was very funny.

And proof they can be normal.

It was so good for our souls. And so important to do. Because you have to enjoy that happiness in that moment. In every moment there is somehow, somewhere happiness to be found. But, some of them are more difficult to find the bliss in. So, for those – I like to have these extra moments of joy built up to draw strength on.

Here’s my true moment of happiness right here. There’s actually a video with a dance but since I love him I won’t share that. Happiness is being silly and goofy at just the right moment.  (They’re light up shamrock glasses and he’s got shamrock socks to match – you just can’t tell because you’re blind from his shoes)

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An active participant in fun

Today I played the role of “good mommy” and let Jacob ride shotgun in the suburban  rented for the weekend. It’s black and mafia cool looking, but we have managed to turn it into a crazy family car nonetheless. Here’s what I discovered today – being in the back seat is much more fun than being in the front seat. For example, I could reach through the seat and the head rest and tickle the back of Jacob’s neck. I could reach around the side and poke him. Then when he got angry and tried to squish me to death by backing the front seat right down on me I could swing my legs to the side, grab his seatbelt pinning him to the seat and wet willy him until he cried uncle.

Jenna and I laughed so hard in the back seat we thought we were going to be sick.

We played push your seat back and then flop it forward. We harassed poor Jacob stuck in the front. We played the “are we there yet? I’m bored” game until their dad got that cranky line that says shhhh I’m trying to focus on the road across his forehead. Then we laughed about that.

We took crazy car selfies.

 

Being an active participant in fun is so much better than being a passive participant. It’s so much more heart warming to be able to be a part of the fun than to just watch and enjoy the fun. It does not mean you actively have to get up and do something. In fact when I’m laughing so hard I can’t get up and do anything. It just means being engaged and involved in the fun.

It was by far the happiness moment of the day. I felt lighter for hours after it.

Happiness rocks.

I had my 5th Healing Light Yoga Therapy class today. It was so powerful I don’t even know where to begin. I need some time to process it. But I can guarantee that it’s what set me up for the belly laughing, gut aching fun I had later on.

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