A Slower Pace

Lately I’ve felt pulled in a thousand different directions. There just doesn’t seem to be enough of me to go around, and the parts that I can pass out seem to fall short of my expectations. I’ve spent many an evening in the rocking chair nursing my baby to sleep wondering where the day went, why I wasn’t able to relax and enjoy the small moments with my kids more, and what was a really accomplishing in the time I could have been. I’m afraid to imagine what my children think of the manic mommy who flies through their world checking things off her to do list? As I take this time to reflect I realize that my children are the ultimate reminders of what truly counts in life. When their opinions, needs, and ideas tug at me as I rush through my day to get more done I should tune in better. For them I must stop and evaluate the significance of my daily accomplishments and actions, not only because increasing my interactions with them is healthier for us all, but also because my actions will have demonstrated that they are my priority. The excerpt below from momscape.com is one that mirrored these feelings, and has inspired me to take the time to really listen to that voice inside that has been telling me to slow down and enjoy each moment, and by doing so help my children learn to do the same. This month I encourage you all to take it a bit slower, find a pace that allows you to be a better mother, friend, and woman.

Maslow For Mamas: Slowing Down and Finding Your Pace
“…I have to ask myself, what am I in such a hurry for? Why are we all rushing so much? Are we rushing because we like it – because we feed on the false drama? Are we rushing so that we can fit in more things or so that we can make more money? Are we rushing to make some form of mark on the world and in the meantime risk missing our own lives?

There are those friends in life (if we make time for them) whose very presence slows us down. Just being with them says, “You can’t get it all done. You are already enough just the way you are, so let us set a pace in this life that we can enjoy.”

In truth, I think that’s what a family is for. At least that’s what I hope my kids will say that their family was for, when they have grown into busy parents and are striving to slow down for themselves.” - http://www.momscape.com/wordpress/2009/07/06/maslow-for-mamas-slowing-down-and-finding-your-pace/