Tuesday - The Day of "Karma"

Excerpted from Deepak Chopra's The Seven Spiritual Laws for Parents pg 81

"Tuesday is the day of "Karma"

Today we tell our children "When you make a choice, you change the future."

On Tuesday we agree as parents to do the following things with our children:

1. Talk about some choice they made today
2. Show them how our future was changed by a past choice we made
3. Explain right and wrong in terms of how choices feel."

Hmmm. I was frustrated by today and I think that I know the reason why. When I read this this morning, I read "decisions" - when you make decisions you change the future. And what I was faced with all day is the frustration of relying on other people to make decisions that were out of my control. And I talked to Finn about how my future was changed by a past decision I made - and I equated moving back to the states with the arrival of Finn - the possibility of Family. But of course, since that decision brought up all these memories of extreme challenges that we faced - it was a bittersweet discussion.

If I were to flip my day and think in terms of choice instead of decision, I could see I made a choice to interact with a breakdown at work with grace and compassion instead of anger, I could see that I made a choice to make it a teaching opportunity instead of one of discipline. I would have told Finny that when his Dad and I made the decision to become allies instead of adversaries - regardless of our circumstances - that there was no mistake that there was suddenly room to make our family bigger. And instead of being frustrated about my day yesterday, I could have made the choice to take ownership of my feelings and been fully self-expressed and clear in my expectations.

And honestly - until I re-read this this morning to write this post I wouldn't have made a huge distinction between decision and choice.

Choose love, choose life, choose to get in the game.

Love to you,
Patty

Monday - The Day of Giving & Valentine's Day...Perfect

Excerpted from The Seven Spiritual Laws for Parents Pg 69

" Monday is the Day of Giving

Today we tell our children, "If you want to get something, give it."

On Monday we agree as parents to do the following things with our children:

1. Invite them to give one thing to someone else in the family
2. Inspire them to receive graciously
3. Share a brief ritual of gratitude for life's gifts"

So at 16 months old, Finn is a pretty good sharer...kisses, food, books, colds ;) although Aunt Mary really likes that "one more kiss" that makes him cranky. And I tried before we went to bed to do a little ritual of gratitude with him which was really me saying that I was super grateful for him. But I wasn't inspired with a blog post story, I didn't feel like I had anything to share...

Then this morning I woke up at 6 and Finn wasn't awake yet so I contemplated another 30, 40 minutes of sleep or getting up and getting a move on the day. I thought about the Daily Goddess and wondered what I would share and then I remembered dinner. This is the first Valentine's Day I have spent with my family since high school and when I got around the table everyone had written cards and my dad had gotten us all a box of candy and I didn't do anything. My Valentine is in Costa Rica - I figured I had the day off!! I was feeling a little guilty, so I don't know if I inspired to recieve graciously but in thinking about this law this morning I really connected to the power of the little things. The smile, the acknowledgement, an email, a hug. None of these things cost money (which I have been focused on for the past 2 years plus) but they can and do absolutely have the power to transform a person's day, life.

It did make me think that it's time I played bigger, that it's time I stopped feeling self conscious and I just got out there and started playing the game. And Deepak Chopra is right - it's not about the time you spend on a particular activity - because at the end of the day yesterday I truly felt like I had failed at Monday, failed at Giving. It's about paying attention.

Love to you.
Patty

Dearest Goddesses,

It's been a very long time since my last post. I sort of felt like if I was stuck and couldn't really get myself out of this difficult time that I was going through, how could I possibly be a "voice" of the Goddess. How could I possibly provide guidance and support for people. I was acutely aware of the people who might be reading and I simply got self-conscious.

Over the years, the times that I felt the most powerful were times when I was connected to people, to my various communities and especially to spirit and it's been a long time since I've felt that connection - and this blog was a way that I connected - a chance to get out of my own way to share with the world and so it is time that I get over myself and start sharing again...and honestly, noone has to read it.

I took out a bunch of books from the library a few weeks ago in an effort to get some support about discipline. My little boy Finn is now 16 months old and just a vibrant life force and I so do not want to dim that source, but I also want to make sure that I set boundaries, so I wanted some help. One of the books I grabbed was Deepak Chopra's The Seven Spiritual Laws for Parents and I felt that old tingle of inspiration. I'm only a couple of pages in and he's described what the seven law are - and how they translate into in kid's speak and he broke them up in days of the week truly begin to practice these laws. It's not about the time that you spend on each of the tasks (he gives three per day) it's simply about paying attention. And perfectly - today is Sunday which was when he started his week and I'd like to share with you...

Excerpted from Deepak Chopra's The Seven Spiritual Laws for Parents, page 55:

"Sunday (Law One) The Day of Pure Potentiality

Today we tell our children "Everything is possible, no matter what."

One Sunday we agree as parents to do the following with our children:

1. Lead them in a few minutes of silent meditation
2. Inspire them to appreciate the beauty and wonder of Nature
3. Show them the hidden possibilities in familiar situations"

So after reading this, I packed up my little boy in his winter jacket and hat and mittens and we headed outside so I could "inspire him to appreciate the beauty and wonder of nature." Once we got outside I was stuck. What was I going to talk about? So of course we are surrounded by snow, so I told him about individual snowflakes and how they are all different but join together to make all of these snow drifts and when the sun comes and melts some snow it can become ice (which was what we were walking on). Then all of a sudden Finn starts going crazy mooing. (His first words beside hi and bye were not Mom or Dad but MOO. We were approaching this big wooden bear, so I figured he thought it was a cow, but then I looked where he was looking and saw the moon in the sky! He was going crazy for the moon! And suddenly, I am completely inspired over the beauty and wonder not only of nature but of my amazing son.

So - I will keep sharing these laws and my days of paying attention and look forward to reconnecting to my spirit and the world outside of my head.

Blessings,
Patty