a CONVERSATION with my son...

Today when talking with my son he spoke about his little brother being a "rascal", and said it in a manner in which he implied that quality was unique only to him. I brought to his attention that we can all be "rascals" or "fill in the blank" sometimes- that is life- but we must learn to be aware enough, and to catch ourselves in those moments so we may shift things, or step away until we are ready to be our best selves. He said, "Even you mom?" Sweet boy, how quickly he apparently forgets, or smooth he is growing. ;)

Yesterday afternoon, I was very tired, and very grouchy with the boys and I used that example, reminding him about how I came to him and apologized very soon after being rude and short with them, and discussed how I did not handle my frustration and feelings very well. In that moment, he smiled and said he remembered, but then we moved on from that. This morning, he had a pretty moody couple of hours himself. He did not always do very well at shifting it, but tonight at bedtime, on his own time and desire, he apologized for being "ornery, grouchy, and selfish" this morning. It touched my heart so deeply.

Children understand the messages of our actions, and also our words. When we stand in the light of humility, honesty, and self-reflection even when it is not our favorite picture, it teaches them how to practice the same things in their life- it gives them permission to open their heart to the same things in themselves.

Never fear the things in yourself that are less than perfect, in fact, celebrate them. Whether you are a parent, partner, friend, co-worker, etc. it is in acknowledging your imperfections and struggles and then OWNING them and CHANGING them, that creates beautiful shifts in our world. One exchange at a time. We empower our hearts ability to grow, and eliminate the power of our mind to dictate the negative course of our actions.

As you change yourself, you hold space and understanding for others to do the same. Be a space holder in our world for something better- a more loving and accepting world, that honors all that is, but that in the same breath, roots for all that we are, and have yet to become.

Love and Light,

Lindsay