what do you need?
It was a "get out of the house and into the fresh air or the grumps might take over the day" kind of morning over here.
So we bundled up and went to the park. And Ellie loved running around and going down the slide with her daddy.
And oh my gosh I love this photo. I love this real moment of Ellie's bravery when she climbed up to this tall slide and then looked at me and said "I'm scared." So her daddy climbed right up next to her so they could slide down together. Even though he groaned and mumbled as he tried to figure out how to fold down to join her, he did it anyway. And she cheered, "I did it!" when they got to the bottom.
If I hadn't listened to what we all needed this morning, we might have missed it.
The days are full over here. This holiday season has me working like a little elf as my shop is the busiest it has ever been. (I'm deeply grateful for this.) I'm trying to be present to the holidays and this time of year with my family. As I move through the day, it can feel intense and awesome and beautiful and so damn hard at times.
I'm gently encouraging myself to try to let go of the expectations of this time of year. But goodness how they just hang there waiting for you to notice them, don't they?
In the midst of it all, I'm giving myself some space to notice what I need.
Sometimes this means closing my eyes while taking one deep breath and saying quietly, "What do you need kid?" And then allowing for space to listen to the answer.
Yesterday that answer was 10 minutes of rest while Ellie napped.
Late last night that answer was a promise to myself that I need a vacation in early 2013.
This morning the answer was to get outside away from work and have an hour of play with my family at the park and then to Starbucks for treats.
In this moment, my answer is a big glass of water and music I love.
What do you need today?
It's okay to be honest with yourself.
It's okay to speak it aloud.
It's okay to let your loved ones know.
It's okay to rest, to dance, to ask for an hour alone, to ask for a hug, to say "no."
Yes. It's okay to do all of this and more for you to help you feel supported and present this time of year.
If you need someone to catch your answer today, feel free to share in the comments or email me.
Blessings,
Liz
*****
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the moments.
Reader Comments (4)
I need YES to some irons I have in the fire. My spirits need the lift, desperately.
I need my wrist to stop hurting. I think I've broken the little pisiform bone for the 4th time. Wicked painful. I'm going to have to put on my special custom molded cast again. *sigh*
I need my husband's medical employment benefits to be paid. 3 1/2 weeks without a pay cheque (so far) is brutal. So stressful.
I don't ask for much, do I? geez.
I needed you to ask me that question. So in this moment, right now, I need my husband to say yes to eating out because after writing an epic post (still in draft mode) I do not feel like cooking.
Indeed, all we ever need is one special person to remind us to be kind to ourselves and others... Today, you are that special person Liz! Thank you so much!
Liz: The space you create and the words you share are a gift to the world. Your honesty, kindness, insight, and creativity are inspiring. Indeed, it's precisely during the busyness that we must ask ourselves what we really need and allow for more choices (especially if we feel boxed in).