yes, this.
Tonight, I'm thinking about the "yes" moments I've been collecting over the last week or so...the moments that gently pushed me to be really present and notice the beauty in the midst of the crazy and the hard and the real.
When Ellie Jane came out of her bedroom for about the tenth time after she went to “bed” to tell me one more thing but instead curled up on my lap for a few minutes and put her hand on mine, and I made the choice to just be right here instead of worrying about what tomorrow might bring if she didn’t get enough sleep.
Yes, this.
When I stuck with it even though I wanted to run.
Yes, this.
When I realized he needed a hug more than he needed me to tell him how to do it right.
Yes, this.
When I paused to just listen to the rain fall on the roof instead of checking my email, then Facebook, then Instagram for the hundredth time.
Yes, this.
When I picked up the phone and burst into tears as the words tumbled out and she said, "You aren't alone."
Yes, this.
When I decided to make biscuits for breakfast even though I was the only one home (and I ate four of them).
Yes, this.
When I had an upside-down sort of day but remembered what I know. And what I know is Barbra Streisand's Broadway album, a scarf made with love by my mom, lipstick + mascara, and reaching out to Jon to say, "Can you come home soon?" all help me feel loved and not alone.
Yes, this.
When the deep missing caught me by surprise, and I closed my eyes to try to remember every detail of the guest room in my grandmother's house and suddenly I heard her voice but then it was gone and I wondered if I'll ever remember how it sounded when she'd say my name.
Yes, this.
When I let myself really hear you say, "You really are a good mom." And I tucked our conversation in my pocket to pull out on those days when I forget.
Yes, this.
What "yes" moments are you collecting over in your corner? Give yourself the gift of noticing.
*****
Water Your Soul is an invitation to see the beauty and the mess and making the choice to say "yes" to all of it (even on the days that feels impossible).
It's about realizing you are not alone in feeling whatever this time of year brings up for you.
It's about making simple moves in December that will help take away from the chaos, not add to it.
It's about being right here giving yourself the gift of replenishing you even as you also give to others.
We begin gathering in our private Facebook space this Wednesday. In that space, we'll share stories, connect, and just be present with one another. We "officially" begin our time together December 1.
Click here to learn more and join us.
Please email me any questions you have.
water your soul, yes to this moment in yes.
Reader Comments (14)
i have been having many yes moments myself in the last two weeks. feels good to know that i am not alone either:)
This is really beautiful. It's a rarity when I read something and it moves me. Yes moments. I love it
"When the deep missing caught me by surprise"--yes, this. Oh tears. Tonight I was sorting through a box of Christmas decorations and found sweetly scrawled notes from two of my missing beloveds (my grandmother, gone since 2009; my great-aunt, gone almost one year). Yes, this. The handwriting, the hugs, the voices we won't hear--but the love always. This. Thank you, sweet one. xoxo
Turning to lovely Liz's blog when I'm feeling kind of bleurgh because she always makes me feel better and reminds me of how I choose to live.
Yes, this.
Thank you so much Liz for sharing HOW to ground yourself in the present Your sharing your day and the beauty that can be found in the mess of the day the hard bits that can either clobber us or they can stop us for a moment and notice the beauty there. Your examples show us HOW to do it instead of just hearing be mindful of the moment I didnt always know what that REALLY meant until you shared these. Please do more. And thank you as It is teaching me how to stop and say Yes this...
Yes to walking through the first gentle snow of the season, knowing I don't have to be anywhere other than where I am. It's all gone now, but I embraced it (instead of mopping the floors!!).
A yes to the sound of a text message in my BB phone, saying hello there! after a long silence.
Yes to hiding under my 9 year old daughter's covers with her at bedtime so Daddy could "find" us, and screaming wildly when he found us and yanked the covers off... Then, when he had to leave the room for a moment, hiding in the same exact place and repeating the same exact thing all over again, to include the whispers that,"Shhh! He's coming... to Aghhhhhhhhh!" What a lovely end to the day, when I'm usually a stickler about bedtime. Yes, to spontaneity and wild giggles. And, YES to Liz for leading us to our Yes places. Bless you!
two children coughing and blowing noses all week. movies, lots of warm tea, extra snuggles. yes, this.
Yes to laughing with my girls so hard at bedtime till my muscles hurt... Yes to joking about doing a marathon with my coworkers and to thinking 'why not'... Yes to talking about my day with my teenage daughter who suddenly doesn't seem to be that little girl anymore to not understand issues and joys and sorrows and everything inbetween... Thank you, Liz!
When I paused to say a quick prayer before a "crucial conversation" with a difficult employee who has been creating a hostile workplace. I sent love and blessings in her direction and envisioned a "bubble of protection" around me. It made the conversation a positive experience (thank God!) and we are moving towards healing our toxic team (fingers crossed).
yes to my first "pajama day" without my children ...unplanned, much needed...I read and puttered and ate delicious food and I even took a nap...and I loved each moment...the "why" - I had an extremely full six weeks, and my body really needed this gift. (maybe now I will plan a pajama day every once in a while!
When he reminded me I have a lot to look forward to and that I can't give up. Yes, this.
Thanks for all the inspiration, Liz!
Bedtime struggles...a sweet little voice, "Mummy I want a cuddle", enjoying her love, "Mummy, you're my best friend you know", letting her fall asleep on me (something she hasn't done in a long time), and just lying there listening to her breathe. BEST moment of my week. Much better than getting angry or stressed because I wanted to get back to the computer. x