This first month of our Hands Free Journey starts with Awareness. Dale Carnegie said "One of the most tragic thing I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon--instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today." Too often the grass seems greener on the other side. Other people have angel children, perfect houses, ideal relationships, and are successfully thriving. Whereas, when we think about ourselves: our children never listen, our houses are complete disasters and we are merely surviving. Why are we living that way? There is nothing productive, uplifting or happy about comparing of what we perceive as their 'perfect' life with our perceived 'miserable/unhappy' life. Throughout this journey we are going to learn to be happy and how to find peace and joy in our surroundings and our life. I mean "...men are that they might have joy"-2 Nephi 2:27 It is not a sin to enjoy your life, and let go of some things in order to hold on to the things that will really matter in the future.
Start being aware of the ways that you are distracted from enjoying yourself and others. Is it your phone, computer, TV, tablet, video games, books, house work, work, pinterest, facebook, e-mail? It could be fear, stress, dislike of change, unhappiness of what we look like, excess weight we don't like or even acne ? These can fill our minds so constantly that we are distracted from those we love, and from the memories we want. The list could go on and on of what things or thoughts that are keeping you from loving your life and those in it. In the Hands Free Mama book she goes through a list of questions to ask yourself and I have written some of them here:
What you missed hearing the best part of your child's day because you were on the phone?
What if you missed the chance to console your worried spouse because of you mile-long to-do list?
What if you missed hearing an unknown childhood memory from your aging parent because you were too busy to call or visit?
What if you missed a divine cloud formation in the sky because you were racing to the bank, the post office, and the dry cleaner?
What if one day you realized that all the opportunities you missed couldn't be retrieved?
What if one day you realized the best moment in life come in the mundane, everyday moments? But you were only fully present on special occasions?
What if you turned away from distractions that monopolize your time and attention and grasped the sacred moments passing you by? (Hands Free Mama)
We only have one life to live. We shouldn't allow our time to be filled annoyed, stressed, worried, in anxiety, or panic.
But we do.
We shouldn't be consumed in distress, dismay, apprehension, dread, and fear.
But we do.
We shouldn't have strain, nervousness, and tension.
But we do.
We shouldn't spend our so much time scrolling, or in the virtual world.
But we do.
It happens all to easy and I am also a guilty party. That is why I am doing this journey, is because that is not how I want to live my life. I don't find enjoyment or fulfillment in those derogatory things, that sometimes I drown in.
Lets find peace, joy, fulfillment, happiness, and love.
Lets learn to enjoy our moments, our children, our relationships.
Lets create space and allow these virtuous things in our life.
Let connect with our Divine Creator and live the life and be the example we were meant to be.
Lets take what we learn and help and teach others to enjoy their life.
Lets make time and space to smile, smell the flowers and connect with the ones we love.
We are the only ones keeping ourselves from taking part in an excellent life.
Lets change that!
Your challenge for this post is to write down what things distract you from really enjoying your life. Remember that is is often during the mundane moments, when we learn to smile and enjoy them, is when we will get the most fulfillment. These moments can become valuable contributions to our personal happiness, children's memory, and our marriage.
Things that currently distract me from the moments that will bring happiness to my life are: Facebook scrolling, Reading books, my laptop (pinterest, blogger posts, etc.), fear, inadequacy, and self doubt.
If you are struggling to find distractions, here are some things to think about from the 'Hands Free Mama'
Ways that you can find your distractions are:
-If it takes the focus off of what really matters (This may involve deciding what really matters to you and writing that down)
-If it prevents you from being fully present-If it keeps you from investing time and energy in those you love most
-If it hinders your ability to slow down, relax, or get adequate sleep
-Or if it holds you back from enjoying life, taking risks, and being your authentic self.
Find your distractions and write them down. If you feel inspired and directed I would love to hear from you! You can post a comment and letting others know what you struggle with which may help them! Awareness of what is distracting us will help us overcome these addictions in the future!
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