mindfulness & Christmas

[larorra]

I tried to write a post yesterday off my smart phone and low and behold when I tried to post it it got lost in transit! Today I have the luxury of PC connection so will re-write what I did yesterday.
This is my 2nd year of mindfulness but it is my first christmas experiencing it through the eyes of my little grandbabies, aged 10 months and 13 months. Last year one hadnt been born yet and the other was only weeks old so now is when they are seeing it all for the first time, and such a pleasure for me to experience it mindfully with them, their sheer wonder at the christmas tree, all their emotions of their different personalities shining through, one cautious, shy to touch the baubles and tinsel etc the other eager and over zealous, I have to say no! when he goes to shake the baubles within his reach, but wheareas many years ago I would be irritated at my own toddlers doing it (stressed out new Mum) now I can see it for what it is, curiousity and eagerness to see something new and different. I never tire of lifting my grandson up to touch the star at the top or give him a tour of the house to see each oranament getting turned on and the look on his face each time that happens, the other grandchild holds back abit shes not too sure what its all about,, but it is such a pure pleasure observing them as they drink in all the new sights and sounds of Christmas and I am so thankful to mindfulness for giving me a full appreciation of the little things in life which inevitably are the most important.

[Gareth]

Nobody does mindfulness like small children; it is just the normal way of being to them.

I am so lucky to have had my two children just as my practice has begun to develop. The time that I spend with them is so naturally mindful. They are unmoveable from the present moment, and I just follow their lead; they have taught me so much.

As a homo sapiens, I believe that mindfulness is our birthright - we can do it so naturally right off the bat. It's just modern life and it's myriad of distractions that leads our minds astray.

[larorra]

I am so glad that you too are experiencing mindfulness with your children Gareth. Its so true with them its here and now, its great!