Today is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. As with all new years, milestones, changes in the calendar, or occasions, it's a good time for reflection and resolution. I feel like this coming year will be one of particular change. My daughters will turn 16 and 9. I feel like they are going to change and grow into new stages where they don't need as much from me on a day-to-day, minute-by-minute basis. Maybe I'm just seeing them become more independent. I'll also turn 42 in the coming year. That's not a milestone birthday, but it seems like a time to say, "I'm in my 40s and so I'm taking stock and seeing what I want to accomplish before I'm 50."
With all that in mind, I resolve to focus in on a single idea... accountability. I want to make double super sure that I'm holding myself accountable for my beliefs and priorities. In the coming year I will put more emphasis on assessing myself to be sure I'm heading down paths I desire, meeting goals I've set, and living into the space I've chosen.
I also want to hold my children more accountable for their responsibilities. Neither of them are slackers in follow through, but there's room for more. More goal setting and more being realistic about time lines and motivation. Both girls are great at making a plan, but also really flexible about changing the plan. Flexibility is great. Really great. And useful. But, it also allows one to opt out of the original plan. To make it easier. To move the deadline. But, shouldn't there be a compelling reason to change the plan? It's something for us to look at together in the coming year.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Gracious
Today is Mother's Day and my sweet daughters (with Daddy's help) gave me such lovely gifts.
Kate made me a "Momanator" which is a little buzzer that has a key on attached. The key guides me to press the buzzer once if I want her to turn off the TV, twice for her to brush her teeth, and so on up to six to get hugs and kisses.
Other gifts include a new light fixture in my room, lavender scented candles, a Starbuck's gift card, picture frames and more.
Rachel did most of the shopping and all the wrapping. I'm proud of her for taking on the responsibility.
As I opened my gifts and looked at my pretty girl's expectant faces, I thought about how much it means to have your gifts received graciously. When I selects and give a gift, I'm trying to convey a message that the person or the occasion is important to me. I want them to know that they are thought of and well known and appreciated. A well received gift is like an acknowledgement that I've done it right.
That's why thank you notes are such a nice tradition. I insist that my children send thank you notes. I send thank you notes for the gifts I receive. I love sending them in response to gifts that are touching gestures of friendship. And, I love receiving thank you notes and knowing that my gift was received with the intention I intended.
When my daughters send thank you notes they are learning to receive gifts graciously. They are learning to appreciate what they are given. And, I hope, they are learning that it would be rewarding to give gifts well. To give from the heart. To give of themselves.
I well chosen gift keeps on giving. It gives pleasure to the new owner, but it also gives the owner a chance to show her joy and that might be the greater gift.
Kate made me a "Momanator" which is a little buzzer that has a key on attached. The key guides me to press the buzzer once if I want her to turn off the TV, twice for her to brush her teeth, and so on up to six to get hugs and kisses.
Other gifts include a new light fixture in my room, lavender scented candles, a Starbuck's gift card, picture frames and more.
Rachel did most of the shopping and all the wrapping. I'm proud of her for taking on the responsibility.
As I opened my gifts and looked at my pretty girl's expectant faces, I thought about how much it means to have your gifts received graciously. When I selects and give a gift, I'm trying to convey a message that the person or the occasion is important to me. I want them to know that they are thought of and well known and appreciated. A well received gift is like an acknowledgement that I've done it right.
That's why thank you notes are such a nice tradition. I insist that my children send thank you notes. I send thank you notes for the gifts I receive. I love sending them in response to gifts that are touching gestures of friendship. And, I love receiving thank you notes and knowing that my gift was received with the intention I intended.
When my daughters send thank you notes they are learning to receive gifts graciously. They are learning to appreciate what they are given. And, I hope, they are learning that it would be rewarding to give gifts well. To give from the heart. To give of themselves.
I well chosen gift keeps on giving. It gives pleasure to the new owner, but it also gives the owner a chance to show her joy and that might be the greater gift.
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