I obsess over cleanliness to the point where - I have had people visit us for the first time and ask us if we just moved in...I have got better over the years but I think I have passed on some of my quirks (not so lovable) to my 7 year old. We definitely want
- To have order and organization
- To have our way most of the time and are tenacious with our demands
- To do things a certain way at a certain time
The reality is life is not always "made-to-order" and things are often out of our control. An apt example just happened to me a couple weeks back - K2 and I were alone for the weekend and wanted to use our time to get K1 a birthday present...ironically we took K1's car (or rather his baby) to the mall with us, parked it in the parking garage and then went into the mall for our purchases. When we came out the rear bumper of K1's car had been badly dented by an older gentleman who was trying to back out his car. The look of horror on K2's face made me almost laugh (not quite!). The old man had left us his information and his insurance is taking care of the car yet the lesson I learnt that day is one that I will be applying to my life for a long time to come --- I share my learnings here (rather selfishly) because I am hoping that I can come back and re-learn a thing or two from time to time
#1 Start accepting things when they are less than perfect – One of the biggest challenges for people who want "it perfect" ...people like me and K2 is learning to accept things as they are. Sometimes it’s better to accept and appreciate the world as it is, and people as they are, rather than to trying to make everything and everyone conform to a perceived ideal of right. No, you shouldn't accept a life of mediocrity, but learn to love and value things as you have it.
#2 Start being attentive to your stress level and take short breaks – Slow down. Breathe. Giving myself the permission to pause, regroup and move forward with clarity and purpose. I take my breaks for quick walks, 1/2 hr visits to the Chiropractor or a Zumba class and this really gives me the opportunity to be more productive at home and work
#3 Start looking for the silver lining in tough situations – When things are hard, and you feel down, take a few deep breaths and look for the silver lining – the small glimmers of hope. Remind yourself that you can and will grow stronger from these hard times. And remain conscious of your blessings and victories – all the things in your life that are right. Focus on what you have, not on what you haven’t. Being Pollyanna was something I learnt very early as a child and life hasn't yet proved me wrong - I really do believe that everything happens for a purpose and good things will eventually happen.
#4 Start noticing and living in the present – Right now is a miracle. Right now is the only moment guaranteed to you. Right now is life. So stop thinking about how great things will be in the future. Stop dwelling on what did or didn't happen in the past. Learn to be in the ‘here and now’ and experience life as it’s happening. Appreciate the world for the beauty that it holds, right now.
Our life has been filled with plumbing issues, guests, car body shop visits and fixing things around the house the past 4 weeks...yet we have taken the time for walks every night, dinners cooked together and time spent together before school starts (in less than a week !!!) ...How has your summer been playing out?
#1 Start accepting things when they are less than perfect – One of the biggest challenges for people who want "it perfect" ...people like me and K2 is learning to accept things as they are. Sometimes it’s better to accept and appreciate the world as it is, and people as they are, rather than to trying to make everything and everyone conform to a perceived ideal of right. No, you shouldn't accept a life of mediocrity, but learn to love and value things as you have it.
#2 Start being attentive to your stress level and take short breaks – Slow down. Breathe. Giving myself the permission to pause, regroup and move forward with clarity and purpose. I take my breaks for quick walks, 1/2 hr visits to the Chiropractor or a Zumba class and this really gives me the opportunity to be more productive at home and work
#3 Start looking for the silver lining in tough situations – When things are hard, and you feel down, take a few deep breaths and look for the silver lining – the small glimmers of hope. Remind yourself that you can and will grow stronger from these hard times. And remain conscious of your blessings and victories – all the things in your life that are right. Focus on what you have, not on what you haven’t. Being Pollyanna was something I learnt very early as a child and life hasn't yet proved me wrong - I really do believe that everything happens for a purpose and good things will eventually happen.
#4 Start noticing and living in the present – Right now is a miracle. Right now is the only moment guaranteed to you. Right now is life. So stop thinking about how great things will be in the future. Stop dwelling on what did or didn't happen in the past. Learn to be in the ‘here and now’ and experience life as it’s happening. Appreciate the world for the beauty that it holds, right now.
Our life has been filled with plumbing issues, guests, car body shop visits and fixing things around the house the past 4 weeks...yet we have taken the time for walks every night, dinners cooked together and time spent together before school starts (in less than a week !!!) ...How has your summer been playing out?
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