Handful of seaglass, Baker Beach, SF
Don’t miss this. Pay attention. Wake up. Be kind and gentle.
The world is a manifestation of your beliefs, so believe good things. Things that empower you. Things that delight you. Stay in the light.
People will die. Remember this, but don’t let it paralyze you. Let this allow you to pick up the phone, even when you don’t want to. To put down your armor. To say I love you more.
Write thank-you notes by hand. The kind they will tuck into their wallet and will pull out years later. The paper will feel soft like fabric and their heart will swell. Except you won’t know this.
When you can, let people ahead of you in traffic. It’s kind and it will make you feel good + generous. It will make you feel powerful, that you could give this one good thing. So go ahead. Let them in.
Tell the truth. And by truth, I mean the messy kind. Like a few months ago when you were crying on the couch feeling lonely, tender, disconnected. And you shouted from the couch, “I need you to love me right now!” and it was the hardest thing + the truest thing you had said in a long time and you cried and cried as he rubbed your back.
Things to remember.
Eat cake when you go to a birthday party. I don’t care what kind of cleanse you’re on.
Learn the what-does-the-fox-say dance and dress up like one of the foxy fly girls for Halloween. Or the Thriller dance or the Cup Song. Learn something that’s been on your mental list – ukulele, italian, how to make kombucha – it doesn’t matter. Just keep learning.
Lay down next to Ben before he falls asleep. Take in his messy boy scent. Notice how he wraps all of his limbs around you in a kind of choke hold, but enjoy it because it won’t last forever.
All of this. It won’t last forever.
What’s on your list of things to remember?
25 Comments
This is beautiful Andrea!
Outstanding post!
So many good things! I want to remember some of these, too. I am doing my best to take in and hold onto my happy cuddly baby and every day I think that this time is so short and he’ll be 6 feet tall before I know it.
I needed to hear this today. Thanks you.
That a happy mommy makes for a happy family. Take care of me too.
love this!
Thank you
Thank you.
(((Heart!!!)))
An ordinary legacy in the making my dear, brava.
That an afternoon at the dog park is way more soul replenishing than any time spent in front of technology.
BEAUTY-filled post Andrea. Tears on a Thursday morning. Thank you.
Beautiful. Winged straight to my heart.
* That physical and mental discomfort will not kill you.
I want to remember that it’s okay to forget to do some of these things as long as I start doing them again as soon as I do remember.
I want to remember that even when the kids are 20 and 17, as mine are, they still like to hug and cuddle and tell me silly stories. They still try to find ways to wrap themselves around me. They still like getting their backs scratched and their faces kissed. And I love that they still want to be around me and be in my arms.
I want to remember that there are folks like you who are always willing to remind me to remember the good stuff and to eat the birthday cake. I love that one.
1. Go outside everyday. All. Year. Long.
2. When you feel like yelling, get down at their eye level and lower your voice. Love will happen.
3. Talk to him after work, after dinner, when your PMSing, when you don’t feel like it. Ask how is your spirit today?
4. Remember to stop and wonder, what do I care enough about to do right now? (It is not the dishes or putting all their shoes in the shoe baskets you made but they won’t use)
5. Listen to his music cause he’s 10 and if wants to hang out with you, cool.
6. Don’t worry too much about them, they know they’re loved and worthy all the time. The other stuff is smallfries compared to that (as you know so well).
7. Be bold and daring and juicy even if it means you end up looking like a smurf (facebook page above for proof). Embrace your color inside and out.
8. Stop trying to taper the antidepressants, even in summer. It doesn’t work and everyone loses. Allow this small gift to yourself.
9. Be open to giving and receiving small gifts of love as much as possible
Thank you Andrea for your always authentic and beautiful writing.
Nina
Nina – I had to have to say I love #8 – the perspective on this is so true. WHat a beautiful list on response to a beautiful post.
Thank you Andrea, I love your writing. Thanks for all the comments as well. wow..
Oh so beautiful… Xox
Another gorgeous, soul-satisfying post. It reminded me of this, another great list: http://creativewithkids.com/100-ways-to-be-kind-to-your-child/
apparently a more accurate translation of ‘mindfulness’ is ‘remembering’. its why we need to be reminded, of presence, of why. good list. there is so much worth remembering, and its always good to be reminded. that is why there is always enough room for the work we do.
“The days are long but the years are short” – a poster on the wall of my daughter’s nursery, that I look at when she wakes up at 4 am and won’t go back to sleep : )
This lifted my spirits. Thanks a lot
Learn to give the things you would like to be given to you. If you want love, give love. If you want money, be a giver of it.
(if you want good comments on your blog, give good comments on others’ blogs lol)
Painfull sweet. Incredibly touching.
I’m relieved I’m not the only one who knows about What Does the Fox Say? ?
People will die. I just cant say anymore. . but I love this words. . thankful
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