So There’s This Boy…

…He kinda stole my heart. He calls me mom.

I spent some time with my almost 8 year old son this week. After I picked him up from school one day, I took him to his new favorite frozen yogurt place. I watched him as he chose the flavors he likes the most, carefully adding them to his cup. Then he moved on over to the toppings bar. There is a variety to choose from: fresh fruit (which he completely skips over), candy, granola, cookies, crushed candy bars, sprinkles and sweet sauces. I sometimes think he’s there just for the toppings. I know for me, it’s a very difficult decision to make.

Once we paid for our delicious treat, we decided to sit outside and enjoy the day. We sat down and talked about how our day went. This was quality time, so I made sure to leave my phone in my bag. I didn’t want any distractions. There aren’t many moments like this that we get to share together because of our busy routines.

A few times I just caught myself watching him as he talked, noticing how grown up he actually is. I sit in awe of the boy he’s become. I can’t help but smile. We talked more about his upcoming birthday festivities. He wants a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle theme party. He talked about his friends from school and how he wants to set up a play date with them.

We finished up our frozen snack and headed home, with our bellies full and smiles on our faces.

This may not seem like a lot to some people, but it meant the world to me. Something as simple as frozen yogurt and small talk, really turned out to be a lot more than that. It was me realizing that no matter how stressful times can be as a parent, it’s special moments like this that make it all worth it.

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Get Thee to a Rose Garden

“If you take a flower in your hand, and really look at it, it’s your world for a moment.”

Today’s quote, from Georgia O’Keeffe, is a great reminder to “Stop and smell the roses.”

With the hustle and bustle of everyday activities, it’s easy for me to become overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious. I’ve got to remind myself to take a moment to relax, stop rushing and stop working too hard. I’ve got to enjoy the day, the moment and the minute. Time passes so quickly and once it’s gone I can’t get it back. I’ve got to learn how to seriously stop and smell the roses of life!

I’m a single mom working a full-time job. Although I love my job and being a mother, both jobs can be very demanding. I sometimes forget that it’s important to take a break and appreciate the simple things in life.

For the past few days, I have been truly working on that. However, it hasn’t exactly been easy for me. My mind races with a million little things that I’ve got to get done, not realizing at the moment that they will eventually pass and resolve themselves. And then I’ve lost the moment. I can’t get it back. I feel disappointed. I promise myself I will remember to enjoy the next moment that comes along. Only to forget to relish that same moment once again and the feeling of defeat washes over me yet again.

Why is it that we are so caught up in everyday routines that we forget to actually enjoy life? It’s the only one we have. We don’t get another chance. So why not seize the day (Carpe Diem!!) and rejoice in it? Forget for a second that you have a job to do or an errand to run. Why not pretend that you’ve only got one day to live and go out and live like there’s no tomorrow? Do something fun, something frivolous, something unordinary! Dance like no one is watching! Paint the town! No matter what you’re doing, take notice of the world that surrounds you. Cherish every moment by being in it 100% because if you don’t, the next moment will come and take it’s place.

Today, I choose to do just that. I will get myself to the proverbial rose garden and “stop and smell the roses.” What about you?

I Believe in Love at First Sip

I usually wake up a between 5:30-5:45 AM each day, to take pleasure in the quietude of my morning. It’s the only time of day that I can truly be alone in my thoughts. It’s fall, so it’s already dark in the house.

First things first, I need coffee! I make my way to the kitchen in the pitch darkness. Flip on the light, eyes adjusting. I turn on the Keurig, pop in a Kcup of my favorite java and press the brew button (10 oz. please). Mmmmm, I love the aroma of a freshly brewed cup of coffee. It awakens all of the senses. All brewed, hot and ready for the accompaniments. I like my coffee with organic 2% milk, a little sugar and a dash of cinnamon. Oh, the anticipation!! I pop a squat somewhere comfy and open up my Bible app on my Kindle Fire. I read a few devotionals to help keep me focused throughout the day. But, not before I reach down to grab my cup of coffee and take my first sip. Aaaaaah! Good morning!! Warm, smooth, a little sweet and just downright delicious. Does anything else start your morning like that first sip of joe? Just thinking about it makes me smile!

There are few things in life that give us the joy of a cup of coffee. And there are very few things that give us the pure joy of the FIRST sip of a good cup of coffee.

We all have days that are stressful, overscheduled and downright exhausting sometimes. So each morning, take a second and relish the moment! Sometimes it’s the best moment of the day!

What’s Your Coffee Choice:
Good old fashioned coffee
Flavored coffee
Cappuccino/Lattes
Iced coffee
Other

Comment about your favorite one.

Wherever You Are, Be There

How often have you spent a whole day worrying about what could happen, attached to a particular thought or emotion, and before you know it, you’ve missed the day you were in?  Can you even remember what you missed that day?

Too many times, we are so busy worrying about our lives, that we forget to actually enjoy them.  We are robots.  We set a routine and go with it, day in and day out.  In our busy lives, we never stop and smell the roses.  Being present in the moment means being mindful of what is going on right here and now, your actions and thoughts, and what you’re senses bring in.

Mindfulness, or living in the moment, is the key to finding happiness and reducing (maybe even preventing) stress.  It allows you to connect to what is real.  It means letting go (of your past and your connections to what it was). It’s living life to its fullest!

I’ve decided to make this a personal goal of mine.  I’m going to spend 5 minutes each day doing absolutely nothing (no email, social media, etc.).  I will sit in silence, becoming aware of what my thoughts are, focusing on my breathing, and being present in the moment. I’m going to take notice to the beautiful world around me.  If I am eating a meal, I will savor each bite of my food.  If I am spending time with friends or family, I will enjoy this quality time by actively listening to what they have to say.  I will stop worrying about the future and focus on nothing but the present. I will just “be.”

When we live in the past or the future, we miss out on the freedom and peace of the present.  It’s never too late to start enjoying life.  So, put away your phones and tablets, turn off the television or the radio, and wherever you are, just “be” there.