Finding Beauty in Messy Family Life

In our busy family lives, how often do we take a moment to honor the beauty around us.

Last night, snuggled in bed, I flipped through my copy of Simple Abundance and was drawn to the essay from January 18 titled Beauty: Opening Our Eyes to the Beauty That Surrounds Us.

Sarah Ban Breathnach writes:

"Gaze into the faces of those you love, set the table with care, and relish the preparations you make for dinner, delighting in the presentation of your meal. Light candles, pour wine or sparking water into your prettiest goblets and celebrate this new awareness. It is in the details of life that beauty is revealed, sustained and nurtured."

Don't you just breathe a little deeper reading this? Doesn't it sound so lovely and peaceful?

It doesn't say:

"Grab what you can out of the fridge. Throw together something they will eat, regardless of its nutrition. Yell at everyone to come to the table. Fight with preschooler to eat. Remind teens to put their knees down and receive an eye roll in return. Gobble down what's on your plate. Then clean up as fast as possible to get homework finished, dishes done, and kids bathed. And, to maintain your sanity and patience, drink an extra glass of wine."

Hmmm...I see room for improvement. I do have to say, that occasionally we stop before eating and do the blessing Rev. Pattie teaches the kids in the Center's Kids Day Out Program. In case you don't know it, it goes like this:

Hand up.
Hands down.
Breathe (take a long satisfying deep breath)
Breathe again (that felt so good we do it again)
Thank you for our food (said together) 

Every time we do that before our meal, it slows us down just enough and usually invites more conversation.

So for today, I intend to slow down, light some candles, set the table, drink out of my beautiful crystal and pray. And when I can't find the beauty or even the peace, God grant me the ability to see the humor and laugh.

What do you do to honor the beauty in your busy life? How do you slow down? Share it with me. As you can see, I could use inspiration.

Uncovering a Glimmer of the Authentic

Childhood offers clues to our authentic self when we take the time to remember.

Recently, I felt the urge to declutter my spaces. In those moments when I'm ready to release things, I look thoughtfully at my book shelf. I think, "Is there a book that I can let go of?" And every time, I decide I'm not ready and I've realized that it's because each of those books has a message for me. It's not always a message I need immediately, but rather I wait until I'm called. I got one of those calls today.

The still small voice inside brought to the fore front of my consciousness Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach. Simple Abundance contains 366 essays for unearthing the spiritual beauty and simplicity in our daily lives. Written specifically for women, the words comfort me like a warm cup of tea. On this day, I'm called to the essay for February 19 titled Rendezvous with the Authentic Archaeologist. In that essay, Breathnach writes:

"Whether you realize it or not, you have lived many lives, and each one has left an indelible mark on your soul.  I'm referring to the episodic way in which our lives evolve: childhood, adolescence, college and early career years, marriage, motherhood, perhaps life as a single mother, widowhood and onward. Each life experience leaves a layer of memory like a deposit of sediment: things we've loved and moments of contentment we've cherished that when recalled, reveal glimmers of our true selves."  

Ah...yes...that makes so much sense! Sometimes, when I'm confused, I look outside myself for guidance. I ask friends for their opinions on what is right for me. But, as Breathnach reminds me, the only true answer comes from within, recalling where I've found joy and contentment. Those beautiful memories provide clues to my individual path, my heart's desire. Not my husband's preferences or my parents' wishes or my friends' choices, but my authentic life. And that life has evolved from childhood to now, sculpted by my experience. Isn't that beautiful?! Sometimes I watch my four-year-old daughter and wish I could be that authentic. When she's happy she sings without a care as to where she is or who is watching or if she's even on key. When she's sad, she cries and it doesn't matter if we are in the library, the supermarket or our home. Now, most of us wouldn't want to live life quite that out-loud, but to have a glimmer of it might serve our souls.

I think Simple Abundance will leave my bookshelf for now to live on my bedside table to provide me with daily "aha" moments. Join me! If you own Simple Abundance pull it off your book shelf. If not, you can purchase it by clicking below: