In honor of Mother’s Day, contributor Sarah Kurliand, Our Spirited Life blogger, considers the things her son has taught her about living.
To say that Xavier is spirited is an understatement. He is loud, excited, intense and emotional every moment of everyday. There is no easy when it comes to being this boys’ Mama. But you know what they say, “If it feels hard, you’re doing it right”. I might have made that quote up.
The last 4 years of mom life have given me so many wonderful insights and unearthed real perspective to understand what matters most and cultivate a life for us that makes us genuinely happy. The kind of happy that is true and deep, and when you’re in a room with it, it makes you happy too.My absolute, without a doubt, favorite part of motherhood is watching my son’s curiosity hard at work; exploring, investigating and finding beauty, love and pure joy in the ordinary and celebrating life’s simple pleasures. And in turn, he has taught me to appreciate life on a whole new level.
I feel lucky to have come to know these truths so soon:
1. PLAY to learn. Immersing yourself completely into something allows full presence and deeper levels of understanding. Slow down, take the time and enjoy where you are. The lessons are everywhere if you choose to open your eyes to them.
2. LAUGHTER is the best medicine. And dance parties. Combine the two and you’re all set. Having a grumpy morning? Turn up the tunes and dance those crazies right out…works like a charm.
3. FUN is in the eye of the beholder. As adults, we look out the rainy window and see gloom and may even call it a ‘miserable’ day. Kids see an opportunity to jump and splash in puddles and have a different kind of fun. It might not look like what you thought it would, but you can still enjoy it!
4. TENACITY. No one likes rejection, but when kids are told no, they simply try harder until they accomplish their goal. Never give up!
5. SELF CONFIDENCE. Children jump into physically difficult challenges without a doubt in their minds that they can do it…and most of the time – prove themselves right! And when they can’t do something right away? Well, see #4.
6. BEAUTY is all around you. Slow down and notice the things that make up your world. The smell of the flowers, the breeze through your hair, the mural on that building you walk past each morning, and appreciate the simple beauty that surrounds you.
7. HUMANITY is mostly good. Children automatically see the good in people and treat them that way. Strangers at the playground become instant friends without hesitation and you can never have too many friends!
8. NATURE is cheaper than therapy. Fresh air can do wonders for the mind, body and soul. It’s a place to reset and refresh and it’s free.
9. LET IT GO. Why are kids so much happier than adults? Because they don’t hold onto negative feelings like we do. There is such freedom in letting things go that no longer serve us. Let go or be dragged.
10. BE PRESENT. Wherever you go, whatever you do, be all there. It allows you to gain so much more from your experiences and have more fulfilling relationships with those around you.
So my dear son, thank you, for making me a Mama and helping me to grow along side of you every day.
Sarah Kurliand is a Wife/Mama/Yogini/Writer who spends her days adventuring around the Philadelphia area with her crazy boys. She is passionate about living a healthy lifestyle, discovering new places, people and things and living a life that leaves the world better than the way she found it. You can find more of her writing at www.ourspiritedlife.com or follow her on Facebook or Instagram @ourspiritedlife.