On Not Sweating the Small Stuff....
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Over the weekend I was catching up on my blog reading, and was delighted to find the following poem on Susan K Mann's fabulous blog.
If I had my child to raise over again - by Diana Loomans.
If I had my child to raise over again. I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less. I'd do less correcting, and more connecting. I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes. I would care to know less, and know to care more. I'd take more hikes and fly more kites. I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play. I'd run through more fields, and gaze at more stars. I'd do more hugging, and less tugging. I would be firm less often, and affirm much more. I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later. I'd teach less about the love of power,And more about the power of love.
It's really beautiful, and for me (as I'm sure it will for many) served as something of a timely reminder about my priorities. We're all so busy, we all work so hard so you'd think we'd all be sure to make the most of the time that we do have with our children.
And yet, it's all to easy to waste that precious time sweating the small stuff. Those petty, inconsequential things which are all too easy to obsess over. There's that work you just *have* to get done this weekend. The house needs cleaning. The ironing pile is now so big it's in danger of toppling over. You really must sort out that scary looking paperwork. etc, etc, etc.
But if you focus too much on that stuff, you'll be missing out on some things which are so much more important. A very similar sentiment is expressed in 'A Man Has Dreams' - it's the song which George Banks & Burt sing in Mary Poppins following the run on the bank:
"You've got to grind, grind, grind at that grindstone; Though childhood slips like sand through a sieve; And all too soon they've up and grown, and then they've flown; And it's too late for you to give..."
With all of this in mind, rather than doing my usual and trying to cram in the 101 point 'to do list' this weekend I decided to play it a little differently. I decided that the housework could wait.
I took a little time back for us and had some amazing, quality time with my wonderful family.
We've been to the park, we've played in the garden - got the paddling pool out; played games with the hose; built dens and obstacle courses; and giggled - a lot.
It's been absolutely marvellous. Weekend's like this I'll remember forever.
Some serious play was long overdue :)
Image credit Pink Sherbet
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We did indeed have a fun-filled weekend, hope you've been enjoying the sunshine too xxx
@Claire - I have the poem up on my notice board above my desk - it's definitely a great reminder! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting xxx
xx
So lovely that you have had such a lovely weekend and here's to many many more too x
As you said it's the quality time that we spend with our children that really is important.
xxx
Thank you xx