This week’s nudge/shove was all about time. And it is…about time.

My a-ha moment came while I was trying to soothe my seven-month old to sleep for his afternoon nap. I did exactly what I had done the previous two days, but it wasn’t working! So frustrating. But as I looked down at my hand lying on his chest, I noticed that every time he’d nearly nod off into deep, limp sleep, he’d jerk awake and wrap his chubby little hands over mine, keeping me there. And oh, how I had things to do. I was losing my window. Oh, and my mind.

So I closed my eyes, calmed down, and felt.

Here’s what I discovered.

During those two days of successful napping, when I touched my baby, I was cheering him on. I was so completely present with him, encouraging him in every thought. My skin was relaxed completely – my face, hands, body language. Even the weight of my hand on his chest. How fantastic that had to feel, don’t you think?

On this day, however, even though my hand was there as before, I was energetically drawing away from him. I was not present. I was thinking in the future and becoming agitated and stressed. My touch was not warm, but impatient.

There’s a great article in the November 2009 issue of Yoga Journal titled, “Take Your Time” (page 19). The author, Ganga White, writes, “Time has always been precious, but too often we allow our lives to become frenzied and stressed.” Nudge #2.

This. Nudge #3.

Get the picture?

So while the list is intentionally time consuming, here is how I plan to be present and draw deeper into love this week:

• Allow my four-year-old to tell me as many stories that begin with, “Hey Mom, did you know…” as he can on our bike ride to preschool, even though it might make him late for school
• Okay, leave 20 minutes early for the 5-minute ride to school so that he won’t be late from stopping to tell me stories
• Touch my baby, intentionally and patiently, as long as he needs for restful sleep
• Practice yoga for 30-minutes v. the desired 90 minutes, and savor my thankfulness for it
• Stop for a well-deserved high-five with my husband to acknowledge making it through another chaotic evening routine of dinner/cleanup/bathtime/storytime/bedtime (he totally rocks this)

How will you be present this week?

Related posts:

1. my obsession.
2. Ode To My Electric Toothbrush.
3. My Longest Yoga Practice. EVER.