JOY in the slow down

I watched a hummingbird hover at a feeder then zoom off to the treetops, then come careening back again. Wings beating over 50 times per second, heart beating over 1,200 beats per minute…

Photograph by Robert Lubeck/Animals Animals—Earth Scenes

And then I watched it stop.

Seeing it perch on my mother’s clothesline filled me with so much JOY. Partly because it was fun to actually see it better, and partly because I just let myself feel that tiny bird’s moment of rest.

After ten days of the Joy UP, one special take away is the reminder that to access more joy we have to slow down to get in touch with it, to make room for it, to welcome it in. There’s so much I want to keep UP, but especially the few minutes of meditation each day. It has been transformative. Calming.

Like a hummingbird sitting on a line.

In Simplicity Parenting© we talk about the same thing-- slowing down to welcome more joy into every day life with kids. Taking time to ask ourselves, what doesn’t feel quite right? Figuring out some easy changes for the whole family that takes everyone to an easier place.

So naturally, Hannah Marcotti is the very best person to help me bring Simplicity Parenting© to Rhode Island mamas!  We've created Simple Mama for local women who want to look at family life with fresh eyes, to feel inspired, to build connections, to go deeper.  Will you join us?  We start September 12th.