8/16/19

Time

I was thinking this morning after my walk how we aren't really living a meaningful life if we never stop to contemplate it and enjoy, LOVE, whatever moment we are in, no matter how difficult.

When I was the mother of many littles-babies who stay up all night, or toddlers that wake at the crack of dawn, I never really was very successful at carving out time for myself to just stop and journal and enjoy.  There was always a need, something to be done, a list of things that were necessary for doing a good job at my mission-the mission of motherhood, being the keeper of the home and our life here.

But when I am really honest, and we all need to be, there were so many unnecessary distractions-distractions every single human is vulnerable to.  But it's a catch-22.  Because if you stop and think, and spend that time in the present moment, thinking about the purpose of life, and enjoying that stage, it is so much easier to not allow those distractions into our lives. 

Distractions-what others have, and what I want, and ways to be "successful" and if she can do it why can't I, and this is hard, I'm not doing a great job, and things have to look a certain way now, and in the future I want, and in the past I wish, and in 6 months it will get harder, or easier, or I want this much money, or let's set this goal to have, and I want to make this look like this, and I am willing to waste money doing so, even if it's just a farce of illusion from a magazine or a blog or what someone else has accomplished.   I want to be this thin, why can't I, and start a new system of doing this or that, read this blog and I'm doing it all wrong and why aren't we like that family, or that other one.

I can go on and on.

It's the constant bombardment from our society-a culture we choose to torture ourselves with-that robs of us real joy.

It's the crazy expectations that are all wrong, are the opposite of what life is about.

It's not settling in.  It's not presence.  It's not gratitude really,  or at the least it's definitely not contentment with here and now. And that takes work, everyday and is the ONE THING that will completely change our lives as mothers.

I had a million and one excuses to not fit that daily prayer/contemplation/journaling/meditation/quietness into my life.

And not ONE excuse is or was or will be ever valid.

So if I can tell you all one thing-if there is any younger mothers out there still reading, this time set aside every day will change your life more than anything.  It really is what you are seeking, not any of that distracting junk.

If you can step back and look at the big picture of the incredible life you are leading, the enormous job you are doing every day, and just be content with it all, you will find a peace within you, that blesses your home more than anything else could.


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19 comments:

  1. Michelle GAugust 16, 2019 at 8:29 AM

    I love your heart sweet friend!

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  2. missiAugust 16, 2019 at 9:02 AM

    This has been on my heart lately too. Just savoring the moments.

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  3. SarahAugust 16, 2019 at 11:18 AM

    This is just what I've been needing! Thank you Sarah. Raising littles as a stay home mom is a full time job and if I don't stop to find joy in it, it can become very difficult. Thank you so much for the reminder to stop and just soak it all in. Have a blessed day!

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  4. ReenaAugust 16, 2019 at 12:38 PM

    Younger mom here...and I'm forever grateful for your thoughts, experience, perspective. Thank you

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  5. UnknownAugust 16, 2019 at 2:14 PM

    I'm always thankful when I visit your blog & there is a new post! You are truly a breathe of fresh air & my mentor from afar. Thank you for taking the time to write these golden nuggets of wisdom down to share with us lucky readers! Thank you!

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  6. JodiAugust 16, 2019 at 3:05 PM

    I look forward to every new post of yours. Your wisdom and perspective is inspiring and lifts me up everytime. Thank you so very much.

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  7. SusanAugust 17, 2019 at 11:32 AM

    Such a great reminder...stop comparing and start appreciating what we have! xoxoxo

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  8. RebekahAugust 17, 2019 at 1:39 PM

    I echo each comment here. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, experience, wisdom, and joy of mothering with the rest of us! Your blog is a breath of fresh air.

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  9. JacelynAugust 18, 2019 at 9:17 AM

    Thank you, Sarah. I've been struggling with some of this. Your perspective and thoughts are so very valuable to me.

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  10. BeckyAugust 18, 2019 at 10:58 AM

    I needed to hear this! Thank you so much for sharing!!!

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  11. rach1005August 18, 2019 at 5:13 PM

    Mum of 3 littles here and thanks so much once more Sarah. Contentment has definitely been on my mind lately and I will get the journal going ❤️

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  12. AmberAugust 19, 2019 at 11:58 AM

    I just LOVE you Sarah! Please never stop writing here. Ever. I've never found another blog like yours before. It is the most inspiring blog I've ever read. Plus I love all your product recommendations and especially your book recommendations!! I'm pretty sure I got this recommendation from you...but just in case you haven't read it yet.....I just read "Where the Crawdads Sing"....and iflt was SO SO good! Highly recommend. It's a book that's made me really stop and think about what's important in this life!!! XO!

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  13. shansen20August 20, 2019 at 12:15 PM

    I've said it before and will say it again, thank you for sharing your wisdom. you are able to put into words much of how I feel. I was just speaking the other day with my husband about the need to be grateful for what we have/experience/etc in that moment and how that can change our outlook faster than most anything.

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  14. Isaiah 55:8-9August 20, 2019 at 3:30 PM

    Mom of 3 littles here and I'm so grateful for your words of wisdom, Sarah! Thank you!! :)

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  15. ChelseeAugust 21, 2019 at 11:32 PM

    I haven't visited your blog in a long time, but i really needed to read this post today. I have 6 kids ranging from 18 years to 13 months. Every day is a crazy struggle, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I want to focus on what is truly important this year (my last with year with all of my kids in the house as I have a Senior in HS). Thanks for your wisdom and advice. I'm printing this and rereading it often.

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  16. Veronica MaxwellAugust 24, 2019 at 4:37 PM

    This made me cry...

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  17. FranziAugust 24, 2019 at 5:15 PM

    One of the finest posts I've ever read. Thanks a lot :)

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  18. AnneAugust 28, 2019 at 6:32 PM

    Mom of two littles and one on the way. I love your perspectives on mothering, and especially love a place where staying at home is encouraged and welcomed. I needed this today - that one paragraph where you list all the "why can't I and I should start a new routine and they have this" --- that resonated with me. Also to hear it echoed that being content is something I must work at every day, it won't just happen. Love being home with my littles and love your blog!

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  19. CourtneySeptember 11, 2019 at 12:57 AM

    Oh, how I love this!!!!!!!

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