(This picture is of my children-- Maggie on the left, Skye on the right-- posing by their first pet, a little blue fish. They were so full of joy when they got it several weeks ago.)
This week I had three extra kids at home. My nephews and nieces from London came for a visit. They are 17, 11 and 9 in age.
When visitors arrive our schedules change and our spaces are full. In the past I would have felt a sense of resistance and pressure with this change but instead, I made a conscious effort to truly go with the flow. In doing so, I had a wonderful time. In fact, I found many opportunities to bring out my inner child and experience things I haven’t done in years.
In one week I’ve gone swimming several times, played miniature golf, colored pictures, played hide-n-seek and duck duck goose, drove a go-kart at top speed, ate water ice, ate Popsicles, cooked all sorts of meals and tickled a lot of kids. It’s been a freeing opportunity for me to simply have fun.
I’ve also found enjoyment in watching my children interact with their older cousins. There is a genuine care between all of them. While the big ones like to tease the little ones at times, overall, they all have gotten along well and laughed a lot together. My youngest one, Skye, particularly loves her 11 year old cousin Daniel. Each morning when she wakes up she hops in bed to snuggle with her cousin. It is very sweet to see the bonds develop within the group.
An insight I gained into myself this week is that I hold beliefs that certain activities are more “valuable” and “worthwhile” than others. For example, it seems that deep inside I believe that working is more important than having fun. I recognize this because of the resistance and self-judgment I experience as I have fun. My thoughts often move toward, “Your time would be better used if you were writing or coaching.” I know this pattern I have. As I see my mind go that direction I know that I can stop and shift my thinking to, “it is such a pleasure to have fun and engage in any activity when I give it my attention.”
I’ve been learning to allow myself to be in each moment more fully. As I release these judgments I have and fully engage myself in whatever it is I’m doing and with whoever it is I’m interacting with, I find that my life experience becomes truly joyful.
I encourage you this week to watch the judgments you place on spending time and on the different roles you play. Do you think work is more important than play? Do you find yourself feeling more important when you are at work than when you are playing a parental role? Just watch your judgments. Learn from them. Understand the beliefs you hold.
What if there were no hierarchy of ways to spend time and instead, the attention you gave the moment was the only standard you really needed. Am I fully present right now? Am I giving my full attention and energy to what I’m doing? Am I allowing myself to experience the intensity, joy and wonder of any activity I’m doing?
Lots to think about!
Enjoy the contemplation. Have fun.
I certainly am.
Hugs to all,
Patricia Omoqui
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