I've been told that the best way to learn something is to teach it to someone else. Better yet, try teaching it to a child. Try breaking down matters of life. Simplifying them for little eager minds to understand. I'm reminded of this constantly by all the questions I'm asked every day (you'd be surprised how many questions a toddler who can barely talk can ask). 'Whats this?' 'Whose that?' and I know its only the beginning of a life full of wonder and curiosity. With endless amounts of knowledge to be taught, where do I begin? What lessons have been important to me? What do I wish to pass on? We teach our children something everyday day, whether we wish to or not. Fortunately, Leo does not have my fear of bugs. yet. (he's quite fond of them, actually). That being said, I know the best way to set a good example is through my behavior, not through my words. And so begins another journey of self discovery.. self improvement. How can I be the best me? And where in the world do I begin? Well, what better place to start than one of my favorite children's books.
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"Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting."
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting."
- Dr. Suess, Oh, the Place You'll Go
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Today's lesson - Enjoy life.
All of it. The good. The bad. The horrible. The beautiful. The days you don't want to wake up, even the night you can't sleep. The inspiring moments. And the not-so-glamorous ones too. Be happy with the ones you have. You'll waste away your days wishing, hoping, waiting for better ones.
For me, it's being exactly where I am. Striving to be fully present in each moment. Even when Leo is throwing one of his terrible tantrums in the grocery store, remind myself to stay calm.. breath in and out.. offer an apologetic smile to his audience.. pay for my shit.. and leave as quickly as possible. Then give myself a congratulatory hug for having overcome such a horrible experience and know that I've become just a little but braver, a little bit stronger.
Here's the thing.. Don't wait for a better moment to come. Make each moment better by being happy. Happiness is not the absence of every bad moment, but rather learning to accept and cherish ALL of them. After all, if the bad moments weren't so bad, then the good ones wouldn't be sooo good.
