Wisdom from my sister
I’m happy to say that my sister Elizabeth reads my blog. She read my recent post about being fully present at work and in relationships, and had this to say:
“Hey, I really liked your blog about differentiation. Coincidentally, I’ve actually been working on this all week! I am constantly thinking of a hundred things, none of which include the task or thing I am doing at the present moment. For instance, I went to the store three times to buy garbage bags and forgot to buy them every single time. So, I am trying to live in the moment and concentrate only on the task at hand instead of the five tasks I am going to do after I finish the task at hand. I’ve only been ‘practicing’ for a week, but already notice a relaxation difference, and a difference especially with Natalie. I would be playing with her before and run off to start the dishwasher or change the laundry or check my email. She would get frustrated and start saying ‘Momma’ 1,000 times. I would get frustrated and be annoyed that she was so ‘needy.’ This week, I sat down and played with her and focused only on what she wanted to do. Read books? Sure! Play with a puzzle? Sure! Use me as a jungle gym? Absolutely! We had such a great time, and when I said, ‘Can we go downstairs and you watch Dora while I fold laundry?’ she said, ‘Yeah, momma!’ I got an entire load of laundry done and the afternoon was enjoyable and relaxed. Not one crying or sad moment all day! So thanks for the reinforcement on this!”
Well, it’s always my pleasure to help out my little sister! And I’m glad she put this into practice in such a great way. “Differentiation” is about being more fully present in your life. Turns out it makes life lots of fun, too.
