Author: shawnee30

Keep it Simple

by shawnee30, posted in family, gratitude, happiness, parenting, raising boys, What matters

What if everyone in this world did this every single day.  Your neighbors. Your friends. Your enemies.  This world would be a different place.  It would be a place where we wouldn’t have to worry.  I can picture it now!

So be nice to everyone. You never know someone’s story.  They could’ve had a bad day. They could’ve. Their child maybe didn’t behave this morning. Maybe their health isn’t so good. You never now. So just be nice. 

Do what’s right. We are adults, we know the difference. There is right. And there is wrong. What side do you want to be on? You may think it’s a little white lie. You may think that it is it going to hurt anyone. Whatever it might be – just remember to do what’s right!

Smile.  It increases your face value. It could make someone’s day. It can make your day.  When someone walks by you – flash a smile and see what happens!  You may be surprised!

What will you do today to change tomorrow?

The Days are …

by shawnee30, posted in family, gratitude, happiness, parenting, raising boys

Raising kids, I have always heard the phrase “the days are long but the years are short”.  And it’s true.  The years are short.  But now, it seams like the days are getting shorter and shorter too.  Get the kids off to school.  Go to work.  Come home from school/work.  Go to practice.  Eat dinner.  Homework.  Go to bed.  It seams like from “get the kids off to school” to “go to bed”, it’s becoming one, big blur.

So many times throughout the day, I just want to hit the pause button.  And then you know that button that is next to the pause button, the one with the play sign with the line under it.  I’m sure there is some name for it – oh yeah, it’s the slow motion button.  I want one of those in my life too.  I want everything to slow down for minute.  I want to stop and talk, and listen, and just be in the moment.  I want to watch my children grow by the centimeters and not by the inches.   I want to enjoy the small expressions of joy just as much as the big ones!

Don’t blink, right?

 

What matters.

by shawnee30, posted in gratitude, happiness, parenting

This hit hard today.  What matters most in my life.  Today I hugged my child a little tighter.  I lived in the moment.  He is a teenager, so his reaction was a little different!  But that’s ok.  He gets it.  

The important things in my life flashed before me.  All of them.  Well, at least most of them. The things that matter the most – they filled my heart with pure joy.   

And the things that don’t matter – they went to extreme lows today making me realize that change is my master plan.  And that’s enough about that because that is not my focus.  The realization is all that I need!  And some luck!

Happiness matters!  

Share your gratitude

by shawnee30, posted in gratitude

So many times, this happens.  I make a list in my journal of who or what I am grateful for.   Then I close the book and put it back in my drawer.  Awww – I feel so much better.  But no.  I have to talk about it.  Express it.  Scream it at the top of my lungs!  Let the whole world know.  And, especially … let those know whose name appears on my list. 

The art of listening … as a parent

by shawnee30, posted in family, gratitude, parenting, raising boys

When your children are younger, they may go on and on about something so trivial to you.  But to them, it’s the MOST important thing in their life – EVER!  You may want to continue doing whatever you are doing.  The dishes. Reading a book. Playing on your phone.  But stop.  Just for a moment.  And let them talk … whether it’s about their favorite toy, show, or their favorite place way, way out in the galaxy, a million miles away.  Whatever it is – listen, just listen.  Have eye contact with them.  Have facial expression.  Show them that you are engaged in their story.
Why?  Because when they grow up and become adolescents, teenagers, adults.  They will talk you about the big things in life that are important – relationships, friends, jobs, health.  

Today I am grateful for every Pokémon, Bakugan, and Angry Bird story ever told to me!