Practicing Mindfulness

Today did not go quite as anticipated.  I spent my lunch hour on the phone dealing with the continued fallout from having my identity stolen at the end of August.  I then helped fellow colleagues with the online math curriculum. After our staff meeting, I stayed later to help a few others with the online curriculum.  At this point it was almost 6 pm.

I rushed home, threw all the kids in the car, and drove my mom home.  Then I fed the kids, straightened up the house, loaded the washing machine, put kids in jammies, helped Eileen practice piano, and listened to Eileen read to me.  Dave was working late if you're wondering where he was during all this.

Knowing I still needed to shower, fold laundry, grade math tests, and figure out bulletin boards tomorrow, I could feel the stress rising in me.  I needed to put Robin to bed.  He was exhausted. Robin has not been a fan of my working full time.  He misses me and just wants some time to be close to me.

Suddenly I just stopped.  I've been preparing to introduce mindfulness to my students, to help them quiet their minds, breathe, and just be in the present moment.  One of  bulletin board I need to put together is on mindfulness.  I found myself chanting the poster I was creating today,

                                       "Breathe in, breathe out, just breathe."

I felt calm.  I picked up Robin and rocked him.  There was a lot to do, but instead I sang to him, rocked him, and he fell asleep in my arms.  I listened to the rain.  I rocked.  I felt his little hand caress my collar bone.

Now that he is a big three year old, we are in the process of getting rid of the binky.  Earlier today Robin tried to tell me he wasn't three yet, so he could still have a binky.  As I transferred him to his bed, he protested and wanted a binky.  I offered to lie down next to him if he went without.  I just laid there, watching and listening.

                                       "Breathe in, breathe out, just breathe."

Robin was back asleep in moments.  My body was calmer.  The work still needed to be done, but I was no longer rushing, no longer anxious.  I put Eileen to bed.  I put Linus to bed.  I showered and turned on the fireplace to feel a little cozy.

I'm new at this mindfulness thing.  I'm interested to see how it fleshes out with my 6th graders.  I may try it with my own kids.  With the whirlwind that our lives are becoming, finding time to be present, be in the moment, and breathe might be what we all need.