My Focus!!
Sometimes I find myself losing a little bit of focus. I’m not talking about staying on track with food in this post; but staying on track with what really matters… I sometimes forget that the end could very well be just the end; and it’s what’s in the middle that counts. Every now and then I forget that if I don’t cuddle enough, love enough, talk or laugh or sing out loud enough that I might not have another chance to do those things that really bring me joy; or most importantly, do those things that really bring my children joy.
You never know when it might be your turn to get off the bus, and I don’t want my turn to come around without having every possible moment “count.”
My favorite memories as a child are those that include laughing with my family. Really laughing. Belly laughing. Seeing the joy filled faces of my loved ones sharing a moment of sheer happiness. My other favorite memories include the ones that involve that feeling of being completely loved by my parents. That special song my mom used to sing to me; the one I try to sing to my kids but I can’t because the tears just flow and because I can still feel my mom’s love. Or, that time when I was sad and my dad stopped everything, scooped me up on his lap and he let me help him steer the riding lawn mower while we rode around for hours in the warm sunshine, laughing and driving in circles. Those moments are my focus that bring me back to reality when I’m having even my hardest of days.
I want my own children to look back at their fondest memories and have them be of John and I loving them, playing with them, laughing with them. When stress swallows me whole, I try to remember that shaking it off and being silly is ok. It feels so good to be a kid again, and I try everyday to have at least one or two “kid” moments, so that my own children know that it’s healthy to play, that it’s ok to not be so darn serious, that it’s perfectly acceptable to turn it all off and just LIVE! So, here’s my challenge to you. Try this tactic and see if your life is not more joyful. See if you can’t help but smile more and worry less. The challenge is simple; try for the next 30 days to be happier! Do this by being determined to let go a little bit more and to find that feeling that allows everything else to slip away and you can be yourself – shining in the moment. I want you to care less what others think of you and care more about the ones that you know will always be there for you no matter what; so if that means talking like a pirate with your 4 year old in the grocery store line rather than scolding him or her for not standing still – than vote for the pirate voice! If that means hugging your loved one when he or she comes through the door rather than shoving the stress of your day into his or her lap, than go for that hug! If it means swallowing your pride and apologizing or if it means taking off your shoes and feeling the grass tickle your toes, or if it’s simply smiling at the person who passes you by then by all means TAKE THAT LEAP!
Let’s all try together to focus on what matters right now; because in the end, I know that I will want precious memories to tip the scales over regrets. With so much negativity in the world around us, it’s extremely challenging to remember that we are responsible for our own joy; but we are, and we can turn things around!
Now, I’m off to do a cartwheel or two, hug a kid or three, and remind my husband that he’s pretty darn cute and that I’m lucky to have him.
Much love to you all and let me know in comments what you’ll be doing to help keep your focus!
Sounds great I am ready for the challenge…being a big kid is my middle name!
Sarah, Thanks for the reminder. I am a stay at home mom with a 2 year old and a 6 months. My husband works 60 plus hours a week. Its easy to get stressed and overwhelmed. I needed to be reminded of this today.
Oh Sarah, I love this post! I was thinking this same thing this morning as my 2 1/2 year old and I had so much fun playing together at a Kindergym class. Why do I have to take myself so seriously? It’s the moments when I just let go that end up being the most fun and special.
Your comments are timely Sarah – as last night whilst out with my wonderful man and BFF in lovely downtown Brisbane Qld Australia (we are in the middle of the Brisbane festival – art, theatre and massive laser light show every night) my BFF is on crutches due to some pelvic issues and me being me deicded that as I have never used crutches before I would have a go !!!!!! Lets just say it was belly laughs all around and some many tears from laughing our stomachs are still sore today!!! My motto in life is: Keep it light, Keep it simple and KEEP IT PALEO!!!!!
Thank you.
Not only did your cookbook help me regain focus, and I have been cooking something out of it everyday! But this is a gentle reminder of what is important…really important. My most precious memories are from my childhood…and I was determined to do that for my boys. Somewhere I lost that focus, and became imbalanced. I am so glad I found this site, and EPLF! Both are changing my life!!!
so again.
thanks for the reminder!!
Let joy and happiness be OURS!!!
janine
I’m in…..we are going go carting today!! So excited, I am going to put my arms in the air and scream and laugh so hard nothing else matters….:)
My teens LOVE it when I play video games with them. Not shoot-em-ups or the sit around and veg type, but the Just Dance series. i really have to let go of my inhibitions to dance, but we always have such a great time. It does them good to see Mama shakin’ it and having fun. And I LOVE hearing the mock indignation in their voices when I set a new high score!
This post couldn’t have come at a better time for me. I’ve definitely been guilty of letting the stress get to me lately, and not enjoying the important things.
Thank you.
Simply……thank you
This is very well said and I needed this today. Life has surrounded me latelyand i feel like and about to het dunked under water. We have 3 as well, and our youngest is 2 months. I’ve returned to work, pumping for her and trying to keep my family paleo add to the daily tasks. Keep on! Power up!
This post is so true, thank you! Like my husband tells us all the time, you have to make your own fun, can’t expect others to do it for you. I’m reminded of how last week my daughter offered for me to try on her ballet pointe shoes, and since I’m more athletic and less than graceful, let’s say there was a lot of laughing going on. And of course she had to share this with her entire ballet class (but I don’t mind, it was funny).
Love this post. 🙂
I so needed to see this post today. Was just lurking – looking for some good paleo recipes so we can ease back into a paleo-like eating regime and ran into this. I’ve been very ‘off track’ lately with a new baby, homeschooling a 10 year old, and trying to start a business with my husband. I’ve been feeling a lot of underlying guilt b/c our meals have been whatever i could get out in a hurry and my patience hasn’t been seen in a few months. I may just have to print this out and hang it on my mirror as a reminder. Thanks 🙂
How do you always seem to know what people need? Perfect reminder for me! Thank you