Ready for the New Year: Living in the Bigger Picture Moment

Imagine that it's already tomorrow.

You roll out of bed with the hope that today will be a super fantastic day.

But then you are running late, the four year old has a meltdown over wearing jeans instead of sweatpants, you spill coffee down your shirt, you forget your gym clothes, you forget to buy milk at the store, you are trying to make dinner with a one year old in arms and four year old yelling at you about yogurt. Sounds like a "normal" day, and one that you would just gladly walk away from and start over again right?

But what if ... what if ... on your way to work you heard your favorite song on the radio and it made you smile, or you received a much needed "what's up" text from a friend or your four year old said the funniest joke at the dinner table...would it make your day better? Would you even notice?

Yeah. That was my problem. I didn't even notice. I let the bad {or what I thought was bad} change my perspective on the rest of the day. If one thing went badly, boom day was done no do overs.

But something has changed over the past year I've REALLY been trying to live in the moment.

If you have noticed the millions of sunrise and sky photos I've posted over the year it's because I'm FINALLY taking the time to see the beauty around me.

If you have read my Sound Bytes each Friday you will notice that I've FINALLY taken the time to listen. And if you've read my Bigger Picture Moments you will notice that I'm FINALLY noticing these everyday moments.

The concept of a Bigger Picture Moment resonated with me. I have a hard {very, super duper hard} time living in the moment. I dwell in the past, I look too far forward. Never once just listening to what life around me is trying to say. Even if it's yelling! Many of my BPM posts include phrases like "wake-up call", "slap in the face", "Blamo" or "I cried".

By living in the moment and living with intention each day, I have begun a journey of self-growth. An examination of who I am, cherishing the pieces that bring me joy, and changing those that don't.

I know I'm a work in progress, but I also know I'm a much happier person when I take the time breathe and soak in the every day moments.

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Bigger Picture Blogs is looking for our favorite moment of 2011 {cherish the past} and repost it today. This is one of those "wake up call", "slap in the face", "blamo", "I cried" type of moments. Enjoy... and here's to living in the moment each day!

Moms Need Timeouts Too: Bigger Picture Moment 
{originally posted in August 2011}

If I could change one thing about myself (other than my lack of cleavage) I'd ask for more patience. This past weekend I needed more than ever. Let me lay out the scenario for you...

I'm alone with the boys, and both are clamoring for something to eat. It's already 6 p.m. and I'm trying to fix a damn doorknob, pick up toys and figure out what to have for dinner.

"Mommy what are we having for dinner."

"How about Mac and Cheese?" I ask with trepidation, wondering if today will be the day he actually likes Mac and Cheese.

"Sure, that sounds tasty," he smiles. "But only the kind on the stove."

Ugh...no short cut Easy Mac for my connoisseur. Fine, but the baby needs more protein so I decide to make Old School Mac and Cheese (you know with tuna in it). I dish up E's first sans tuna, making sure he has plenty, and get everyone settled down to eat.

In a split second E is finished.

"Can I have more Mac and Cheese?"

"I have some, but it has tuna in it." I say nervously, knowing this will lead to a pouty face.

"I don't like tuna." Enter said pouty face.

"I know. I can make you something else like oatmeal, chicken nuggets, cereal...what do you want?"

"I WANT MAC AND CHEESE."

"I don't have Mac and Cheese. I have oatmeal, chicken nuggets, cereal. I can make you any of those."

"Just go to the store and get me some MAC AND CHEESE."

"Umm, not happening. I can make you anything else."

"I WANT MAC AND CHEESE." Insert grouchy face and tears.

"I already told you I don't have Mac and Cheese." I say my voice rising. "Why don't you go to your room and settle down. When you can talk normal you can come out."

E stomps out of the room. I take a deep breath and look at G who has a perplexed look on his face, and seems to be saying "WTH, big brother."

In less time that it took to exhale that deep breath E was back.

"Mom, may I please have some Mac and Cheese."

I think at that point my brain separated from my body, and I lost it.

"HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU I DON'T HAVE ANY MAC AND CHEESE. THIS IS IT. THERE'S NO MORE. NOW EITHER DECIDE IF YOU WANT SOMETHING ELSE OR GO CLEAN UP."

Ugh...was that just me yelling about Mac and Cheese. Shit...

"Fine."

More stomping.

Later while I'm cleaning up the kitchen, G starts fussing a bit (past his bedtime.)

"Just give me a minute G I just need to finish this up."

Then I hear it the words that snapped me out of my stressed, grouchy and frustrated mood.

"It's Ok G, sometimes Mom gets upset. She just needs a timeout."

Ugh...that's right E. Now it's my turn in the timeout chair.