This is a guest post by Chelle, who lives in Salt Lake City with her handsome husband and four children, ages 10, 8, 6 and 4. They consider this stage of life the parenting “sweet spot” and plan to enjoy every second of this “Our Parents Are Really Cool” phase of their children’s lives. She is a lover of long distance running, flow yoga and deep conversations with trusted friends. She has a B.S. from the U of U in Behavioral Science, with plans to return to school when the kidlets are a little closer to leaving the nest. You can find her here, at her blog There She Goes…
One of my favorite hours of the week happens each Wednesday at 12:05 p.m. I have the honor of holding the title of “Wednesday Lunch Recess Monitor” at my childrens’ school. Each Wednesday I stand on the top field, gazing at the brilliant blue sky, sun kissing my shoulders and I marvel at the beautiful place I call home. I am overwhelmed with the feeling of being cradled and safe, surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains.
I stand there, on the upper field of the elementary school, and think to myself (say to my Creator), ‘Thank you God, for my blessed life.’ I say the words sincerely, over and over again, in my head and my heart. It is all I can do to resist joining the second grade girls on the field who are twirling, twirling, twirling– all for the sake of twirling.
I watch children skip rope, throw balls, play four-square and swing so high their feet touch the sky, and I feel hopeful. Full of hope. Children still do these things! Doesn’t it seem that kids get a bad rap these days? Those slacking, A.D.H.D. plagued, overweight, Nintendo playing, back talking kids… isn’t that all we seem to hear about them? And oh my - those alarming statistics ”“ it could all appear to be so bleak. Do you at times feel like you need a counterpoint? Walk by a children’s playground ”“ see for yourself what I am blessed to experience each Wednesday.
The greatest gift of my adult life has been learning “The Secret.” No, not that one–I’ll be more specific and call it “My Secret to Creating a Happy Life.” And here it is: Learn How to “Let it Be.” There were times, in the past, when I missed out on so much because I was wrapped up in the past, my guilt, or a full blown existential crisis. Now, wherever I am, my goal is to really BE in that moment and not four steps, fifteen minutes or three upcoming projects ahead of myself. I Let it Be. Every day, my goal is to take precious time in the early morning to Be Still. When I am interacting with my children, my goal is to Be Present ”“listening and really, truly there (not doing the fifteen minutes ahead thing). When I am communing with God my goal is to Be Grateful. It seems there is not a quicker way to a peaceful heart than gratitude.
And on Wednesdays at 12:05 p.m., my only goal is to really, fully, Be There, full of gratitude for my children’s smiles, hugs and proud expressions when they see their Mom out on the playground. Be There, sending gratitude to God for the choice I’ve made to stay at home and raise them during this critical time of their lives. Be There, feeling grateful for the gift of a husband that supports this choice and makes it a feasible option for our family.
Do you believe in the Law of Attraction? On Wednesdays at noon, I look up at the sky, then at my children’s shining faces and send the Universe this message:
”Please, Please, God — just send me more of THIS!”
I don’t need money, fame, prestige or fancy “stuff”… just this peaceful feeling that my life is incomprehensibly rich because of four beautiful children, the love of a good man, a breathtaking blue sky and Wednesday Recess Duty. I will Let it Be.
What a lovely post. I needed to read it this morning. And now I can have “Let It Be” stuck in my head . . . which is a good song, so thank you. It can remind me.
What a wonderful post. And a great reminder. When my oldest children were little I tied hard to enjoy the time with them, to not wish the time away (I can hardly wait until… you know what I mean) But lately, it has been harder, I still have little kids, but I have big kids too- in college, going on a mission, high school, jr high. I needed the reminder to really be there every day. To keep enjoying my children and my very blessed life. Thank you very much.
This was beautiful~ and timely. What a gentle reminder. Thank you Chelle.
It’s like that scripture in Matthew, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.”
I’ve never heard recess duty described with such beauty. What a lovely post.
Thank you for these thoughts—I think this is a much-overlooked aspect of the gospel. My mind is always running a million miles a minute, and I spend a lot of energy thinking about what I’m going to do next, where I’ll go next, who I need to call, what I need to do before the day ends, etc.
Yet when I am still, I can really feel a difference. I am calmer, and I dont’ actually get less done—-in fact, what I do throughout the day is accompanied by peace, and by the Spirit, and by more happiness.
Years ago, my job entailed recess duty everyday, and I remember having some of these same thoughts and feelings, thanks for putting is so eloquently, Chelle. And thank you for the challenge to Let it Be, something I am not so good at, and will work on.
i too just love (love) the sky.
there’s just something about it.
L0VE IT! Thank you for this beautiful, beautiful post. I think I might call my vinyl letter friend to make me a “Be there.”
Being “present” is the hardest things for me right now, with 5 little ones at home. I think sleep deprivation makes it worse, but I find that when I can just be where I am, not only to I receive personal revelation for those little ones and how best to love them, but they calm down some. Perhaps they are trying to get my attention a little too hard? At any rate, a wonderful beautiful post and exactly what I needed. thank you.
Awesome philosophy, thanks for this post.
Wonderfully put. Take advantage of your kids now and not the old saying, “when they are a little bit older….” Kids are a wonderful reminder of how fun life is!
i’ll take a post from chelle wherever i can get it:0) good stuff girl. but since i need to BE somewhere else…i’ve gotta jet:0)
What an insightful, amazing outlook on life. Thanks for brightening my day and perhaps my whole week. I plan to Let it Be whenever I get stressed, and focus on what’s real.
What a delightful post! Made me smile, and want to be better at being in the moment and being grateful. I too am so blessed. I’ve been waiting for this week when my two oldest daughters and my granddaughter would come to visit for spring break, and now that it is here, I’m thinking of all the things that I need to do next week when they are gone. I’m going to go enjoy them to the fullest. Posts like this are why Segullah is my favorite blog!
Wow you write so beautiful Chelle! I really felt all that you were saying and am looking forward to recess duty one day!
What wonderful advice. Let it be! Because no matter how much you fight things you really need to let go and let it be!
Beautiful and full of a feeling of pure spirit. You do have a talent of expression. I’m glad I was directed to this post as it was a beautiful one that will help me set the tone for my day.
Lovely, Chelle. I loved what you said about the quickest way to a peaceful heart is gratitude. I also loved the whole concept that life is so much easier if you just let things be how they are. I don’t know if this is what you were saying, but, for me, it translated to being okay with the small (that aren’t significant and, therefore, aren’t worth the argument), okay with differences (how about celebrating them?), noticing these small, glorious moments.
I too feel so blessed to be at home with my kids. There are other goals that I have at some point in my life, but I can never call back this precious time, and I know it will be gone faster than I ever anticipated. I also think, very often, “Please, God, send more of THIS.” It brings me such joy.
Great post, Chelle. I’ve missed your words of wisdom and deep thought! Just three more days til lent is over! Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful, Chelle.
I love this post. Thanks!. I’ve been a fan of yours for a while now.