Comments on: Our Children are Zen Masters

By: Pearl Mattenson

Pearl Mattenson — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:07:33 +0000

Cuddle away Ley. I am about to do the same with my 17yr old who graduates HS tonight! peace back at you.

By: Ley

Ley — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:09:15 +0000

I just noticed my spelling mistake. Then i realised the poetry of it. Form my heart to yours, you now live in mine.I will always remember this day and you. Bless you beautiful soul. x

By: Ley

Ley — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:05:49 +0000

Words fail me. None could describe what you did for me with this sharing.Tears are pouring, memories are flooding, my heart is remembering. God bless you! Thankoyu.Form my heart to yours. My heart wrote these words, i simply typed the letters. Thankyou so much. I’m going to cuddle my 22 yr old right now. Love and peace be with you. x

By: pearl mattenson

pearl mattenson — Wed, 26 May 2010 11:49:38 +0000

Georgia- turnabout is fair play. You are the first commenter to make me cry! We all need these wake up calls because life can get away from us. Thanks for stopping by here and commenting. I am sure your voice echoes many others,

By: Georgia

Georgia — Wed, 26 May 2010 11:38:12 +0000

I read a few different blogs about life and living on a regular basis … but I just came across here from Zen Habits – and I’ve just read this post, and it is the only one ever that has made me cry. (In a good way!)

My children are 5 and 6 and I go to work whilst they’re at school and we’re constantly rushing around, and I’m trying to get all the housework and the chores done whilst they’re irritating me etc. etc. But reading this, I thought OMG, what am I doing?! It just took me back to a time when my first child was born, and how I felt caring for him and the time we had together and I was so, so happy. How has my perspective changed so much, so that I’ve got to this now, where I never seem to have any time for them and there’s always something else to do?

I am going to go and pick my children up from school this afternoon and remember why I had them in the first place, and just enjoy being with them.

I can’t say thank you enough for this wake-up call. Thank you, thank you!!

By: Pearl Mattenson

Pearl Mattenson — Wed, 26 May 2010 00:16:02 +0000

Thanks Beth,
Firsts are very powerful. It is interesting because I often ask clients to remember back to a moment (Or moments) in their lives when they felt totally present and in the moment. In exploring these memories we almost always come to core values and key relationships.

By: Beth LaMie

Beth LaMie — Tue, 25 May 2010 19:41:01 +0000

Pearl,
What a wonderful way to remember those precious days and too-long nights of feeding my son. The absolute closeness that I felt as we bonded was priceless and something I wish all new mothers could experience.

You are right on target that it doesn’t last very long and everything else, such as laundry, cleaning, ironing, etc.. will keep indefinitely.

I love your reference to the little Zen masters and the picture of the young boy “in the groove.” I do meditate from time to time and it can come close to that feeling of intense satisfaction that you describe.

When I give family story writing workshops, I ask students to consider the “firsts” in their lives. Remembering the first time they bonded with their child is a very powerful memory that (almost always) brings a smile to their faces. Thanks for the reminder.

Beth
http://www.bethlamie.com

By: Valerie

Valerie — Tue, 25 May 2010 19:13:41 +0000

karla–
wow! 14 months… you go, momma! my goal is just to make it to 6 months and i’m struggling! really it’s the pumping while i’m at work that i’m annoyed with…

By: Karla

Karla — Tue, 25 May 2010 17:30:24 +0000

I agree with Valerie. Perfect timing. I have a 14 month old that is going through some difficult times cutting some molars. There have been some crazy nights the last few weeks and I have found my patience level lowering. This post reminds me to stay calm and focused and to be the positive energy she needs. I’m also still nursing and want to wean her but she resists – this is reminding me the end will come soon enough and to enjoy our special bonding time now.
Karla

By: Pearl Mattenson

Pearl Mattenson — Tue, 25 May 2010 09:06:24 +0000

Dear Valerie,
oh sweetie- the exhaustion is real and I totally remember the feelings you describe. Letting go of the ‘shoulds’ is hard. Whenever you decide to stop, is okay too. Be compassionate with yourself!