Three weeks ago, my little girl started preschool. She goes to a beautiful little Montessori in the middle of a shady patch of coconut palms and mimosa trees about a ten minute drive from our home. And best of all, she loves it. The last few days she's walked in the gate with her little monkey back pack on and she doesn't even look back to say goodbye to Mama. She just marches right in with a great big smile on her face, ready to start her new day! Oh joy!
The thing of it is, it’s a sensitive school. That means that they don’t want the children to feel anything negative about school, so they adjust the length of each child's day accordingly. More crying, less time at school. Less crying, more time at school. As of today, my little girl stays for one hour and fifteen minutes a day. That’s her up to the minute maximum. Translation: One hour and fifteen minutes is Mommy’s up to the minute maximum time to work on editing her novel.
So, every day until today, I decided to sit in my car just meters from the school and edit. Driving home just wasn’t worth it. And why waste the time driving anywhere else? Anyone can work on a novel, anywhere, right? Hmm…theoretically. But I wasn’t. I would read, or smile and wave at new faces as they walked by, watch cars, twitter back at birds, daydream, and maybe I’d try to work on my novel, but it never seemed to work. Until today that is, when I found a happier place to park.
What do you think? Would you want to write here? Ok, so after you took your shoes off and felt the sand and the sea welcome you home? Maybe then? Yep, me, too! That’s why I’ve christened it my newest heart space. And gosh, after only a day, my heart feels better already.
* * *
My Wednesday Wish for you?
To take the time to find a heart space, a physical place that makes you happier than others. Maybe it’s a different coffee shop, the one that’s a little bit further away that has the nicer chairs. Or maybe it’s the park at the far end of town that has the nicer views with the bench that lets you sit near the rose garden. Or maybe it’s just a quiet part of your office building where no one goes, where you can see some big trees sway and shiver in the Autumn breeze. Make an effort to find it. And make it your own, your own sacred space that you will go to as often as you wish. You see, magic happens when we make an effort to find our physical heart spaces and especially when we go there often enough to let our hearts share what it is they have been aching to share with us all along.
26 comments:
I SO appreciate your sensitivity to your daughter’s needs. To allow her to stay at the school only as long as she desires. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if all schools showed such compassion and understanding as the Montessori where your child attends?
Here’s my story of hoping to get some writing done while my daughter was in school. My experience wasn’t as happy as yours ;-( But I learned so much from it.
http://debrasblogpureandsimple.blogspot.com/2010/10/forgetting-how-to-skip_27.html
You’re the best mommy, to sit and work on your novel, as close to babygirl as possible. How sweet is this! And what a lovely place on earth to write.
My sacred heart place, where inspiration flows most freely, is in my bedroom. Outside the window birds serenade me and the tall eucalyptus tree waves happy greetings.
She is so lucky to have you. How wonderful that the school works around her needs and not just its own.
Beautiful Brynne! What a great school, great mommy and great heart space! I tend to connect with nature as well. I have a small river just a short walk through the woods where I do some great thinking, I've also made my home office a heart space as well - inspiring, happy and productive.
Its funny isn't it, Debra, so many people think we need to force our kids and even ourselves to do things we don't want to do, that struggle makes us stronger. And maybe it does, but I think when its chosen struggle, when we actually chose not to honor how we feel, that very act pushes us away from who we are. Then we spend the better part of our adult lives trying to get back to who we once were before we got sidetracked and into someone else's idea of who we needed to be because it was the 'appropriate' thing to do.
Thanks for sharing your experience with your daughter. There is so much to say about that...I feel it in my gut as if it all happened to me, too. What a beautiful mother you are. What blessed children you have to have been born to you:) I know there was a lot of love and laughing in your home.
Your sacred heart space sounds lovely. I can close my eyes and imagine it, and when I do, I find a very real smile upon my face:) Thanks for visiting and sharing your heart, Debra. I adore you...just adore you!
What a nice way to put that Jo...that the school works around my daughter's needs and not just their own. You're right. Its beautiful to me that in the middle of rural Mexico I have found one of the most conscious schools I have ever met. The first time I visited the campus (it goes up thru 6th grade) I felt a big relief wash over me, as if there would be space for my little girls heart to grow--in public.
And John...does your river have rocks so that the water gets to dance for you when its cold? And are there leaves riding the currents like little boats on their way to neverland? And do you have paintings or pictures on the walls of your office with colors that make your eyes sparkle and your heart go weeee....? I always love it when you visit, John. Do you know your words make me happy inside, that they inspire my creativity? They do! Thank you, magic friend:)
Lovely timing! Last night, I dreamed that I was in a beautiful old house with high ceilings. I walked into a large, spacious, white room that had a big window looking out over a lush garden. There were only two items of furniture in the room: a desk with absolutely nothing on it and a comfortable desk chair. My whole body relaxed and I thought "I can create here!"
I know exactly where your car is parked near the beach--love it that this is your new creative spot!
Miranda...I might know the house!! I am in love with it...and dont have the money for it...but you may! I will send you the link. Its in NC out in the country with land and fireplaces and a pond and guess when it was built? Early 1900's! I think it even has a tin roof and the house is painted a light green. Two stories, of course. OoO...and it has at least 2 porches, one screened in! Oh Miranda...wouldnt that just be super magic??! I can't wait for you to meet her! Thank you for sharing, my friend!
And you know my new heart place? WOW! In San Pancho, no?? I love it that I get to share it with you!! JOY!
It sounds amazing--exactly what Jana and I have been describing to each other. I would love to meet her.
And I thought I recognized a place in Sayulita! Guess I'll need to check out your San Pancho place next time.
And I didn't even tell you the price...goodness...can I visit???! I'll bring the sweet tea:)
Brynne,
I love the phrase "heart space." We live 20 minutes from town in the redwoods, without high speed internet, which...on some days I think is a good thing. So when I drop my kids off now, I have my rounds of coffee shops, sometimes the library. But I love the thought of consciously choosing a heart space--a little more intentional. I might just have to drive the 40 minutes to the ocean, though, that's where I thrive, in front of the sea.
Thanks for your lovely thoughts. And I second the comments here about your gentle, sane, loving approach to your daughter's needs. My middle child, in fact, never went to preschool. Just wasn't the right thing; I had a baby at home anyway, so when we went for the first day and he cried at the door, we turned around and came home and I have never regretted it, nor did he have any hesitations, not one, about kindergarten. They are ready when they are ready. Blessings to you.
How lovely that you found such a great place - I think sand and sea would always do it for me. An hour of uninterrupted writing time - bliss!
oooh...Tania...you live in the Redwoods? Do they whisper to you as you sleep? I find big trees so comforting and wise. But of course I know your need to be near the sea sometimes, too. I think the sea heals everything, don't you? I can tell you are very connected to nature.
Thanks for your preschool support:) My little one is our only one but if she wasn't I might very well do what you did, too. I think its so important for our little ones to feel nothing but love and safety in their first years and to not feel pressure to grow up or do things they don't want to do. How old are your kids now? I bet they are more grounded than most. You seem so yourself:) Lovely comments. What a beautiful heart you have. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Deniz! Wish you could come with me! I bet we'd have fun not working together:) No...really...sometimes we would...wouldn't we? I wish I could hear about your book in person! Wouldn't it be fun to talk novels beside the sea? OOo...maybe you will come visit one day! If you see a cheap flight to Puerto Vallarta, hmmm...might be a hint from the universe:)
Sounds lovely Brynne! Maybe a writers' retreat?
You will cherish your time alone (and to write in such a beautiful place...have room for me?) as much as you will enjoy your sweet one's presence and smiles when she comes home.
Really...I would LOVE to do a writer's retreat, Deniz! Maybe you are right! I wonder how many people would do such a thing. We even have an inexpensive place to stay (ours!). Check out www.casitastortugas.com We just posted a new video, too. Let's talk more about this. What do you think? Would you ever really consider such a thing? How beautiful it would be to connect in person!! Ok...now I know what I will be dreaming about tonight!
Would you consider coming for a writer's retreat, Tracey? If we kept the costs down?? I tried to do a retreat once but it was right when the economy tanked so I didn't get enough people to make it worth my while. Any thoughts? I would soOO love to work on our writing together in person!!:) What a dream! I could take you to your screen saver!!
Pinghank has a new chapter and character...
Love your heart space. I would definitely want to go there and work on my writing projects! I definitely am in search of my own right now.
Lovely blog! We've connected through twitter recently and I'm a writer and mother like you whose kiddos also attend a Montessori school.
thanks, Jo...will check it out soon!:)
I am sure you will find your heart space soon, Melanie! One of the great things about heart spaces is that they can change anytime! We are never stuck with just one!
SoOo happy to have you here, to connect. Look forward to reading more on your blog, too! Always nice to connect with other writers who are also trying to juggle writing with Mommyhood:)
I'll dream about a writer's retreat, too! Jessica Bell's organizing one in Greece...
I don't know Jessica Bell...but Greece sounds divine! Yay...lets dream one up! Thanks, Deniz! Right now, we are just trying to dream this hurricane away. Its the erie calm before the storm as I type you...hoping for the best!:)
Brynee, both of my monkeys attended a Montessori school. For them, and me, it was the perfect choice. I can't count the number of times I sat outside their building working on day job stuff, writing, reading, or as you so beautifully state, it settle into my heart space of peace. I wasn't writing so much back then but I did keep notes and write letters. My heart space now can be anywhere so long as I shut out the outside world and settle in to myself. You are a constant source of inspiration for me my dear. I do like your thinking. Hugs from SF.
Thank you, Brenda. Your thoughtful comments always brighten my day. Truly. And thanks for the hugs. I love hugs.:)
Post a Comment