Sunday, June 19, 2011

What the River Taught Me


I spent some time alone in Provo two weeks ago.  Valuable reflection time.  Valuable me time.

I walked along the swollen Provo river, witnessing the powerful rushing water destroy anything that stood in its way.

In that raging river I saw my life for the last year.  Despite my goals in January to balance my life and take time for things that really matter, I haven't done it.  I've been still set on tornado speed, whizzing through life, doing some things but neglecting most important things.  I realized that my priorities have been skewed--skewed towards achievement and checklists and steered away from important things like play time and teaching time and bonding time.

I have allowed that rushing water to push important tasks downriver where I wouldn't see them.  I have surrendered control to that swollen river of busyness and work, while my children's needs have been washed away like unimportant debris.  I neglected my physical health, my house, and my friends--things that really matter.

It's time to take control, time to tighten the floodgates and manage this rushing water.  I see that I'm allotted only so many minutes during the day and if I'm not careful, those minutes disappear without anything of eternal worth taking place.

I made some promises to myself that day.  I promise to be a present mom, one who actively listens and interacts, not a mom that just goes through the motions.  I promise to play more and yell less. I promise to express the joy I feel as the mother of my family and caretaker of my home. I promise to purposefully teach and advise and love these little ones in my life, because if I don't, no one else will.

I love my life.  I love my job.  I love being home and I love being the mom.  I just need to remind myself of my priorities.


10 comments:

  1. Well, that alone time was well-spent.
    It seems to me that you are all the things that you hope to be - just not all the time. We all need reminders to bring us back to our true focus. I`m always grateful for the alone time or whatever it is that helps bring me back.

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  2. Some days it seems easier than others. I struggle with balance daily, as I'm certain most moms do. I will make this pledge along with you Jen.
    Dana

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  3. It's a juggling act, that's for sure. And it's okay to set down a few of the balls. Of course, choosing which ones is the hard part!

    Sounds like you've got it figured out pretty well, though.

    =)

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  4. Oh, I needed to hear this on our first Monday, of the first full week of summer at home... of all those things, being fully present is what I need help with the most.

    Keep us posted on how it goes and any tips you discover!

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  5. I think we all get set on autopilot at times, and then we have to rethink and recenter. For what it's worth, I think you do an amazing job.

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  6. I enjoy your blog and insight so much. I emailed each one of my kids your one thing to teach your children--work. Thanks for your posts. You are hitting em' out of the park!

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  7. I enjoy your blog and insight so much. I emailed each one of my kids your one thing to teach your children--work. Thanks for your posts. You are hitting em' out of the park!

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  8. Tighten the floodgates and manage...i love this. It is so hard but awesome that God can use something like a rushing river to teach us so much.

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  9. maybe it's not supposed to be balanced right now?

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  10. Oh how alike we must be- This really hit close to home! I love your commitment to do better- I need to do some soul searching this week and get back to what really matters. Thanks for sharing!

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