Saturday, March 12, 2011

living consciously

The last few weeks have left me with a heavy heart:

Hearing about the recent loss of a precious toddler has been profoundly sad. I uncontrollably wept as I read his story via his parent's blog.

Through another blog, I read about a dedicated young mom who suffered a massive stroke and was then found by her daughter. Her slow recovery is nothing but a miracle.

And now the tragedy in Japan.

As I watch the images on I TV, I can only think about what if that happened here.

More than anything, the events in Japan have further impacted what has already been swirling in my head for the last few weeks. I have been evaluating how I can live my live more consciously. How can I take a greater role in making decisions that will have a positive impact in my life and consequently in the lives surrounding me.

For me it means a few things:

It means putting my gadgets down more often than not.

It means stop what I'm preoccupied with at the moment to look at my children when they are speaking to me.

It means less, "wait a minute, Honey" when the little guys ask me to play with them.

It means assuming the best in people instead of the worst.

It means less time with negative self talk and more time spent using my strengths to help others.

It means starting and ending the day in prayer. I need lots of it! So do others.

It means taking a deep breath when the cereal spills all over the floor instead of reacting in frustration.

In means saying lots of "I love you's" to each person in this house during the day.

What does living consciously mean for you? Please share.

Much love,
Katie

9 comments:

Kellee the Caffeinated said...

I have been doing a lot of the same thinking this week... a lot of evaluating!

Kristen @ Just Live Simply said...

i am right there with you on so many things you've mentioned. my 5 year old started crying when we turned on the national news & watched the coverage in Japan. I was shocked at his reaction, but I realized then how he sees the world with with nothing but love & raw emotion. i want to see the world the same way he does.

The New June said...

I certainly need more prayer in my life! And I think it would also involve being grateful and content wiht the way things are and the things I have. Thank you for giving me a moment of reflection :)

Anonymous said...

I think it's the perfect balance between the consciousness, the physical body, and the external environment.

April said...

It means looking inward instead of outward...and maybe thinking about what I can do for others instead of what they can do for me....

on a lighter note..you are going to blog sugar??? This will warm my heart to meet you....cant wait!!!

Janna said...

Starting and ending with prayer, parenting with intention and purpose, and taking time to inhale rather than running around like a crazy person - that's what it means for me. That and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the blessings in life that were given by grace alone, and not because I deserve them.

Genn said...

Hi Katie. I just hopped over to your blog from Janna's. Great post. Loved reading your thoughts. Janna just wrote a similar post recently and I told her it was just what I had needed to read that night. I need to make more of an effort to slow down and stop being in such a hurry all the time. Pay attention to the people that matter most to me.
:)

Charla Liedahl said...

Living with intent is difficult for me because I am easily distracted by "the everyday." My life is lived with more intent and purpose when I give my day to God, first thing in the morning, and keep in constant communication with him throughout the day. Little one-liner "arrow" prayers keep me focused on the things that matter most.

Katie @ minivan diva said...

Thank you for sharing. I appreciate all of your thoughts and wisdom.