Yes! Roots & Wings.........

Here you are looking at wings!

Throughout my time as a mom I have looked to create the gentle balance I felt my boys needed. This included foundation concepts that I hoped would carry them through life. They saw times of compassion and empathy as a way to accept and not judge others. We had fun with Random Acts Of Kindness, which included paying for the person behind us at toll booths. At the not so joyful moments, there were arguments and disagreements, translating to me as opportunities for Life Lessons...which I must add was met with resistance because "can't we just be mad?" was frequently the response I received. I get it now....ironically that was MY time to learn.

It was important in my mind to "pave the way" so things would run smoothly on a day to day basis. A therapist once said to me "smooth now will mean bumpy later, they need to figure things out." Thank you Dr. R.

There really wasn't a time table in my mind when these roots would be established enough for their wings to fly. Oh I certainly saw it along the way. Drivers licenses, girlfriends and part time jobs all showed me they were getting older. Milestones and memories filled my Mama Bank.

Regardless of what the future would hold, I wanted them to feel the power and love of our family of four! I envisioned whether near or far (ok only pictured near) we would remain a family of love and support. Believing "as parents the best gift we can give our children are roots and wings" became my husband and my mantra when they were very young.

And here we are....like someone flipped a switch, I am living that future that once felt oh so far away. This past weekend my oldest son moved 2974.5 miles for a great job opportunity in LA. (yes, I could have said 3000 miles, but I'm still adjusting) 

There are a range of emotions for me for sure, but my biggest is EXCITEMENT for him!!! 

This is what we do as parents. We get them ready for moments just like this. So that they can say yes!  And for me, yes there are the occasional tears and reassuring whispers (I'm silently repeating to myself, 10 years or less...10 years or less...)  But when I see his smile and the opportunities being offered to him, I smile from ear to ear too, because as a mom that's what I always wanted to do ~ Encourage a life of discovery in a world of possibilities!

So here you are my Dear Zachery, it's your time to truly soar....may you always feel the love, strength and support of our family of four! 

Heartfelt Holidays............

There is a calmness that comes with not rushing...which translates to me
"don't put off what you can do today". As we find ourselves at the beginning of December, it's the perfect time to revisit our notebook of how we want our Holiday to look. What's important to you Dear Readers?

For me, my Holiday list includes, time with family and friends, Acts of Kindness, making snowflakes, mulled cider, peppermint lotion, neighborhood gatherings...

I tend to prefer doing things sooner than later, so I am not rushed... it leaves time for the unexpected that may delay me or create a sudden opportunity. 

In order to make these things happen and enjoy them to the fullest potential of memory making moments they hold, I have to make an effort. In saying that let me explain..the effort comes when I need to organize thoughts and plans to help things run smoothly in my mind and with the follow through. I also need to realize my sons are no longer little and I no longer make all the schedules and decisions. (really working on that one... I know, I know "roots and wings...roots and wings") I need to keep things in perspective as to what really matters and it may be time, to let one or two traditions go. Pang, Ouch!

Visit your list Dear Readers, think about the special touches you can add to your Holiday prep, let go the parts that are unrealistic expectations, look for opportunities that can make a difference for you and others. 

Be in the moment of what you are doing and make amazing Heartfelt Holiday memories of your own.

Easier Going Up..............

Periodically I will say something in conversation that clicks and I think....ahhh that's feeling blog post worthy. While chatting with a friend recently I had one of those moments. We were talking about how momentum in doing something leads to motivation to keep doing it. Whether it be cleaning that annoying closet, getting up early to exercise...ugh! or random acts of kindness to brighten some one's day. The more you do it, the more routine it becomes and the easier it is to accomplish.

That's when it hit me "it's as if when you stick with something long enough to become routine, you are then on an escalator (metaphorically speaking in Life), taking you along instead of tirelessly climbing stairs. You don't have to work quite so hard to get where you are going on the escalator!"

I have found this to be true with a handful of things and I like the results I find. For example, back to the exercising.....Initially getting out of a slumber state 45 minutes prior to really needing to get my day started was grossly tough. I fought it....ok maybe for too many years, but of recent I have broken through that obstacle and get up early to go on the treadmill. By doing it repeatedly I'm actually liking that before the "house wakes up" time. I plug in to some motivational videos on YouTube.....keep in mind we all have different ways of being motivated and for me ....ok I'll go there....I watch flash mobs, Glee music numbers or just Google..."people being happy". It all charges me up and distracts me for the task at hand. Before you know it I've walked two and a quarter miles and I'm ready for the day.  It didn't happen easily, but it built it's own momentum and the part of getting out of bed is more like an "escalator" activity now rather than climbing stairs.

So go ahead and take on something that you know you will benefit from......or others too........ Stick with it...... build your own momentum and take your own personal escalator for a little easier ride....in this journey we call Life!