Morning Intentions

This melts me.  He snuggled his brother as I grabbed the camera.

In addition to a gratitude journal practice I recently began a morning intention practice.   I am grateful to be inspired by the lovely Hannah Marcotti, and especially this post.

Every start is different.  Sometimes they come right away, and sometimes a while after we've been up.  Some come from things that happened the day before, some from my journal, some from the morning mood, both the boys and mine, but all of them from my heart.

I also love capturing our Starting Moments over at Instagram (#startingmoments).  Another fun thing inspired by Hannah.

I really enjoy this little ritual and the boys love taking pictures and hearing how much I love them, so it's win-win.

Peace.

Seeing himself

Starting (after my huge cup of warm honey-lemon water).

I recommend sitting with this idea and seeing if it resonates with you as well.  It's definitely a game changer.

Here are some of my first morning intentions.:

☆Love everyone as they are, not as I sometimes want them to be. 

Be kinder than necessary. Stop more often.☆

☆Pick your battles. Let go.☆

☆Just be present and give your attention to that which is in front of you. 

Lay down your needless worries.☆

☆I know that breakups can be painful. 

But me, perfection and insecurity just aren't meant to be. 

Continue to loosen up.☆

☆Let the day unravel at its own pace, and go with the flow. 

Release any expectations and worries as they arise.☆

☆Stop when my name is called. 

Stop even when it isn't.☆

☆Have fun.☆

☆Don't ever forget that being the change is more important than talking about the change.☆

A Mantra from My Heart

As I lay Bodhi or Z to sleep sometimes I find myself crying.  Sometimes out of frustration, anger, or exhaustion, but often out of love.

It's so easy to get frustrated at bedtime.  It's like the final homestretch to unwinding from your twelve to fourteen hour day (more or less).

Some nights I lay with Bodhi for an hour, or more.  It's not that often, but the average is fifteen to thirty minutes.  Same with Z.

Some people think I'm nuts.  That's okay.

The truth is, really, I love bedtime.  It's a sacred time between mama and babe.  Special one-on-one time with each babe at the end of the day, where special moments happen.  When I'm willing to surrender.  You learn a lot about one another, and how each of you saw the day.  We cuddle and love, and I read, sing, and tickle them, until they fall asleep.  Sometimes I fall asleep too.

But there have been nights where bedtime, with both boys, has lasted over two hours.  It's when I start thinking -I'm done.  I am so done.  Please.  Please fall asleep.

Then one night, I lay there so frustrated, not wanting to get angry, and my heart whispered to me...

You teach me to be humble.
You teach me to surrender.
You teach me unconditional love.
Thank you.  Love.  

I cannot tell you how often these simple words have centered me, and saved us.

It is good to remember, any time any of those anxiety producing feelings arise.  It stops me.  Sometimes it brings me to tears.

It reminds me of just how precious and amazing they are, and what this moment can be, if I only let it.

Really, every moment is.

Thank you, Maezen, for showing me, that my life is my practice.

This Moment

(A gift)

{these moments} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  Inspired by SouleMama.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.