Monday, October 18, 2010

Just breathe

As a busy mom of 2 goregous kids, I often find myself feeling stressed irritable, quick to snap at any small thing and at times just plain frustrated. Now I know this is what most moms feel and if you haven't felt it than I envy you. It is normal to have these feelings, in fact, it's okay to have these feelings. I suppose it's how we handle and move on that makes the difference. So here's my suggestion.... Just breathe.
A few days ago I went to a training session with my trainer. He started off the session with having me stand upright with limbs and muscles feeling relaxed. He instructed me to breathe. Now that may sound like an easy feat but in fact to do it properly and to get the most out of it you need to be focused and relaxed. I began with rather shallow breaths but eventually was able to breathe into my belly and then out again. While I did this I felt a sense of calm erupt all over my body. My focus was in gear and every muscle in my body became numb. This exercise went on for probably less than 5 minutes but it felt like a 1/2 hr. I left that session with a strange yet calm aura around me. I found myself throughout the day being much more aware of my breathing and the feeling I got from it.
So this morning I woke up, looked at my kids, and thought to myself "today I need to put a few minutes aside to just breathe". At 9am, I stood in the middle of my living room and breathed. I let all my inhibitions sway away while I took breaths in and breaths out. As I did this, I felt more and more like I didn't want it to end. I just wanted to remain in this serene spot for as long as possible. So, I did this for as long as my kids gave me before the ever familiar "MOOOOMMMMMMM" came out of their mouths. When I opened my eyes I felt calm. Relaxed. Clear.
I have read quite a bit over the last 2 years about "being in the now" and how taking the time to breathe is so important to remaining focused. It transcends all your thoughts into one funnel which slowly seeves through all the thoughts of what needs to be done, who needs to be called and which emails need to be answered. Breathing and focusing on each breathe and how it travels through your nose and into your body, when done well, erases all other thoughts you may have had. When done well, you almost have a feeling of revival and rejuvenation.
So when I finished my little exercise, I quite simply, felt better. Now did I still get stressed throughout the day. Yes. Did I shout at my daughter for pouring water all over the floor. Yes. But what I didn't do was let it stress me out. I just took a deep breathe, focused on now and moved on.
So why not wake up tomorrow. Look into the mirror and Breathe. Just breathe that's all. Take those few moments to clear your mind and just breathe.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

KinderKlipz is having an Easter Sale!!

10% off everything in store!
Vaild until Easter Monday!

WWW.KinderKlipz.com

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Transport Canada new regulations

I couldn't resist! Being Canadian and all... Eh!


Friday, January 22, 2010

Importance of family


Over the holidays I found myself thinking back over the past year. And as I did, I realized that the year had gone by so quickly. It almost felt surreal to think that a year had passed. Is it possible that 2009 is no longer and 2010 is now upon us? YEAH! Not only had I awakened to the shear amazement of it all, I also awoke to the realization that family is everything to me.

For the first time in my life I feel at peace.
What is my peace? My peace is.... being happy with me. Being happy with who I am, what I look like; at peace with life in general. Before my husband and I left Canada on our overseas adventure, I worked as a Human Resources manager. Who I was, was what my job was. I quantified who I was with my job, my salary, my title. When we left Canada I left all that behind. I found it incredibly hard for the first 3 yrs to deal with no longer having a job or as I have come to think of it a "purpose of life title".
Since we moved to Holland I am much more at ease with the fact that I don't work outside of the home. I no longer associate who I am with my work nor do I feel any less of a person for being a stay at home mom. I know that what I am giving to my family is someone who dedicates her life to just being. Not "being" something but rather just being me. I read a fantastic book that basically taught me to just be. Be in the moment. Forget the future, forget the past ,just be there with the now. The moment you start thinking about the past or the future you lose sight of what is really important and that is being present in the current moment, because you only live for the now not for the then or the soon to come.

I now live for the now. I live for every moment I can spend smiling with my husband and kids. I live for every second my daughter asks me for the millionth time "when is my birthday?". I live for every second my son looks at me and says "Mom, I love you". And I live for every hug and kiss my husband gives me. Those are the things that count. That is the importance of family.... of life.

Give it a go. You might be surprised at the outcome.

Love
Sharon