Now. Here. This.

I can tell you that almost every waking minute I am pulled in a number of different directions. I know I am not alone. Mothers, women, parents, adults – life  is a constant heady flow. Be it gathering items Love Bug needs for school, filling up water cups, washing, drying and making all the beds, responding to emails, making sure Sweet J hasn’t stolen my phone again, making sure dinner food items are ready/defrosted, listening to Love Bug’s ideas for a new costume, writing down a new DIY idea, deciphering what item Sweet J wants with his gestures and almost-there words…………I am in lots of places in a matter of moments. Once, I told MJ all the things that were on my mind at that moment. I think I got to the fifth item and he said that was enough. :)

I can also tell you that I find balancing everything a daily – hourly, minute-by-minute – struggle. While I am the mother and caretaker of two young and animated children, I am also a wife, a creative maker, a friend, a person who wants to exercise in solitude and silence, a needer of a whole lotta sleep(!) and a long list of other things. I am constantly making decisions and weighing the options on how to spend my time each day.

At this point in my life, my responsibilities as a mother dominant. Most days I handle it well but there are a few others when I do not. Some days, I am ornery and some days I want to be selfish and do what I want to do. There are days I feel defeated before I even get out of bed. However, there is a consistent line that runs through my brain reminding me that this time with them goes by so quickly. They will not be the person they are today when tomorrow comes. While it causes me anxiety and every so often, a bittersweet tear, I know I am blessed to be with them.

But again, the balancing act is a constant struggle.

My mom shared the link of a podcast she listened to and buried in the conversation with Father Greg Boyle, there is a short mantra I have recently taken up. The mantra is, as the post title states, Now. Here. This. Instead of focusing on everything out there (arms pointing about wildly), I say it to help me refocus on what is happening presently. When we have breakfast together, that’s where I try to stay, right there with them. When they are giggling wildly outside, I stand close by, making eye contact, so I too can feel their joy. And when they ask me to sit with them to watch a movie they’ve watched too many times even though I’d rather work on something else, I do it. I revel in the closeness, the warmth, the knowledge that they want me there with them. They won’t always want me to sit with them and some day, they won’t even be in my home watching movies. There are no guarantees I will have another chance to sit with them like this. I chose to be with them. Now. Here. This.

Now. Here. This. isn’t just being with children though. It’s putting down the electronic devices and snuggling when I have alone time with MJ and really laughing with him. It’s making time to feed my creative passions, without distraction. It’s taking the time to sit with a friend and chat because it feels good even though the laundry isn’t getting done. Giving people and activities our full attention is a big deal at this point in time with the endless amount of things available at the touch of a finger (smartphones, I’m talking about you). We all have long lists of our own and man does it feel good to check items off the list but we need the moments when everything is shut out. We need times when all there is is Now. Here. This. We will all be better for it.

I made the mantra into a hashtag on a few Instagram pics – #nowherethis. It looks like nowhere-this but I know what it means. I would love to see your Now. Here. This. moments too if you would share them with me. And if there is some interest and participation, I would love to share them back with you on my feed (you can find me @thisheartomine).

Even if you don’t use Instagram, don’t use hashtags or aren’t really clear on what exactly a hashtag is, I do hope you have Now. Here. This. moments. Lots of them. :)

Take care.

P.S. Come back later. We have another giveaway coming up soon!