I share here with all of you; but, when someone graciously leaves a comment below what I have written, I visit where they hail from—their own online space for sharing. What I have shared, when leaving comments on others' spaces, reveals how we all grow as we navigate our days and our life. Some of what I have learned on life, love, and motherhood—
on slowing down
We keep our days under-scheduled. Just for play...we need to allow time just for that. I think it is so instinctual for children to want to gather and make playthings out of what they have found. It's what children have done for centuries before stores were crammed full of plastic, noisy toys.
We keep it simple. Simple under-scheduled schedule, a place to put everything so it can be easily found again, and a calm daily routine that becomes internalized.
We have less because we want less too. I find more joy in cleaning out what we have than shopping. I prefer well made vintage than new flimsy cheaply made necessities. I enjoy the peace of our slower days rather than the rat race of over-working to over-spend. It IS ok to want less and appreciate more.
I am all about simple meals. Less time spent making and more time spent enjoying family meal time together.
on mothering
...mothers can be their own child's most wonderful teachers...
It's not always what is said but what how we feel or deal with stress that sets the tone as well. If we are calm and relaxed, the home is calm and relaxed.
...grow the whole child in all ways—imaginatively, healthily, wholesomely. I cherish moments with each of mine young ones like no other. This preschool age, this time of discoveries is magical; and we share much of our day simply and slowly in work and play.
Sometimes, when you put your thoughts into words you become stronger and more mindful of who you are and where you want to go.
When you spend so much time doing something—one should make beauty and joy out of it.
I took many photos of our infants, but many is never enough.
on nature
A beautiful reminder for all to slow down, observe and record the glimpses of wonder we see.
Oh, I'm a reluctant picker...We have so many wildflowers growing about and when the children see a most beautiful one I tell them to pick only one. This, I tell them, so that the remaining flowers may spread their seeds and make more beauty. Then, we place that one little blossom in a jar and treasure it like it's the last flower left.
Oh, we love nature scavenger hunts. Love them. Because no matter what you set out to find, you find twice as many nature treasures as you were looking for.
I decided when planting bushes around our home that I wasn't going to use just pretty "landscaping bushes". I wanted to use wild bushes that provided us with surprises (berries or nuts). And so I planted a hazelnut bush, blueberry bushes, Rose Hips...and Aronia Berries bushes...the berries may not be sweet as can be right off the bush, but every year we can't help being so excited that we have them to by the handful anyway.
on creating
Taking photographs brings me joy every day.
There is so much satisfaction in making something yourself, rather than just buying it, isn't there? Especially when it turns out wonderfully...and the one who it was made for loves it so!
Every day we learn, grow, build and become. Are you pausing to ponder just what thought-fulls you have gathered each day?
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