Recently we have been able to stop by a few friend’s homes for unplanned visits.
The only preceding plan was a text message asking if they were home so we could stop by.
My personality doesn’t let much in life be unplanned. Having a kid has taught me how to be more flexible and go with the flow more often. It’s something I needed. I make list after list of what to buy, what to do, what is planned every week.
It is exhausting.
These recent stops at our friend’s homes have been visits my soul and mind needed and for my husband and son too.
We sat, we chatted, we laughed, we did nothing, we watched my son or our kids all play together.
The picture at the top of this post relates to one of our most simple conversations, seeing a rain storm coming. This image reminded me of that conversation and truly how simple the time was with them.
It was calm.
The unplanned and simple moment(s) it was at each place is what I would love more of in my life and think everyone should have it.
Sure, my life and personality wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t plan and make my lists.
But the calmness is necessary to ground ourselves again and recharge our own batteries.
It’s what I hope we can instill in and teach our son that it is so important to slow down and enjoy what is and who is around you.
Rushing and planning seems to be the most common way of life in this crazy world. I hope he can see that the calm moments with friends is also what we need in life more.
One of the moments I want to remember forever as I talk about this calm we experienced is that my son went running, yes, running, into an open field after tiny white butterflies.
He went after them for 30 minutes and our friend’s dog chased him too. There were 5 of us watching him and laughing while he took the simplest thing around him and without a care went after each one he saw. The simple and most calm thing to watch, a child enjoying life in the moment.
All the news and talk of Simone Biles prioritizing her mental health this week is a great example of how stepping back and taking care of yourself is so important.
I don’t need to reiterate what most of us read over and over, but man is she someone I cannot wait to teach my son about. Not only the best Olympian in her sport but a woman who has proven that she can exceed everywhere, even in her own mind to ensure she is #1 to herself and not to everyone saying what she should or shouldn’t do.
What an example of putting yourself first. She needed that calm for herself.
The point of adding her to this is that she made it clear to the world that everyone needs some calm around them. The fact that she was on the largest stage in the world and had the most pressure ever, in the Olympics, riding on her shoulders and could recognize how important it was to find the calm in her life before she injured herself is a great example to anyone.
I am thankful we have had recent visits that I am able to reflect on this way and want to work on bringing more of that to my son’s life.
The hustle and bustle we all pressure ourselves into make time move too fast anyways.
Go find your calm.
Take a day or evening of no plans, stop by a friend’s home, take a hike, sit with your kids, have a picnic outside and enjoy that time. Just be there.
If you can look back at that moment and realize you truly enjoyed it without any stress, thoughts, and a breath of fresh air, you found your calm.
I hope we can find more and prioritize it in our lives and teach my son how impactful it can be.
Two Cents Worth of Mom Life 