Michelle: Week 13
Written by Jill // May 21, 2010 // Parenting, Pregnancy // 5 Comments
I have this lovely lady I work with. I have an ulterior motive for going into work lately. It’s not to accomplish any type of assignments or ‘work’ it’s so I can get my energy fill from her for the week. Since M has started working with us, I have become more relaxed, and aware of my ‘issues’ with life and realize that everything is really ok.
It’s ok to procrastinate
It’s ok to be in the moment
It’s ok to be late
It’s ok to for other’s to get angry at you
It’s ok to enjoy my coffee
It’s ok to have fun.
When I was trying to deal with 2 sick kids, while tending to the office and in the midst of packing up my house M said “Michelle, pack every box with pleasure.” And since then she has said to me many times when I have found myself complaining, ‘it’s ok, do everything with pleasure.’ This really struck a cord with me… I mean, how is this woman able to do everything ‘with pleasure’. Really? What is pleasurable about figuring out my finances, or cleaning the bathroom for the second time this week? But I am figuring it out… if I can do it, and am content about it, how much better would my day go? It would be fantastic! If I can change my mind about how to look at a task I’ve been dreading for days, then wouldn’t the task be completed faster… and would it stop haunting my mind so I can get on with other things? Wow… why didn’t I think of this sooner! I wouldn’t have wasted so much of my life worrying about stupid stuff.
I also like to ask her about life, spiritual issues and health questions. She never tells me what I should to do, but instead guides me kindly through her amazing stories and lessons she has learned. I contemplate for minutes, hours, days until I slowly make the changes I need to. I really am becoming better for it, and I think what I am learning from M, I am somehow passing on to my kids, husband and others.
I went into work after an exceptionally draining week. My kids were pulling me in every direction, a friend was having a really tough time at home and I had been exercising more. I asked M “Do you ever feel tired and exhausted when you go through emotional times like these” she agreed. “What can I do to help me through this?” Now I was expecting a profound answer, one with learning to listen to my heart, or that the earth is not aligned or that I am being challenged in life to learn a very important lesson. But she looked at me as if were from a different planet and said “go to bed early”
What? That’s it? That’s my answer, so simple, so basic… so…so true! Get more sleep? Huh. I pondered again, why didn’t I think of that first?
Wouldn’t life be better if we all got a little more sleep, didn’t carry a heavy chest with things that aren’t truly important and enjoyed everything we did? (Including scrubbing the inside the toilet!)
Jill Amery is a mom of 2 monkeys/stormtroopers and Editor and Publisher at UrbanMommies Media. Though she's based in Canada, her palette is mostly French and her fashion sense is decidedly Italian. When taking a break from her busy travel schedule, she can be found hosting complicated dinner parties or surfing ebay for obscure vintage gowns.
5 Comments on "Michelle: Week 13"
When I was reading it my spirit was smiling. I did nothing. Michelle is ready to hear, to get answers. The beauty of our life is in simplicity. We don’t need to go so far to get answer. The guidance of our life is here, in our hearts. We know what is right for us. We need just be connected with our home, with our soul.
Where can I get an M? I want one! She sounds very insightful. A friend of mine once told me that when her kids are acting grumpy, she encourages them to “change their mind.” That’s really stuck with me. So now when my daughter is grumpy for seemingly no reason, I find myself saying things like “Do you want to have a happy day or a grouchy day? It’s up to you. If you want to have a happy day, just change your mind!” I tell this to myself sometimes too, and it actually works (most of the time)!
Do everything with pleasure in your heart – that M lady sure has it together – and you will be someone’s M lady, too, and probably already are.
I hope you become an author.
your friend (even if I’m late)
Korene
If we could do everything with a cheerful attitude imagine how different our lives would be? I know mine would be different. It’s good to have others to remind of us this and to be an example of this. I think you are a pretty good example of this too Michelle! Thankyou for your positivity.