Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Don't Take Away My T.V.!

Why do people get defensive about their electronics? It's so funny to me, that there is such a need to protect their "right" to television. As if it's so black and white (no pun intended!). It doesn't have to be such a cut and dry decision! What about a little balance in a world where we are so inundated with horrible images, not excluding the Kardashian klan. We absolutely live in an electronic age and it is incredible what we can accomplish in such amazing time. I love my laptop and my cell phone but I also like to take breaks. For my kids, I choose not to have a T.V. in my living room. Consequently, my kids actually play outside, read books or drive me crazy and I'm glad. Yes, they watch movies and they know who Sponge Bob is, as if that will enable them to be in the "real world". They are not in a bubble, we just try to create a balance for them. None of us are perfect, we all make mistakes on a regular basis. The goal, for me, is not perfection, it's consciousness. I want to be able to recognize when things are too out of balance. I want to be able to "hear" what's needed for my family. The best way, I have found, is to pull them a little closer at times and shut the world, and it's opinions, out for a while. Really be in my role as their mother. We often depend too much on the outside to do our work of parenting for us. Ultimately, it is our job! Take it up with pride and love. You have the power to filter the media influence. This is the path you can choose for your family, balance. Sending my love and support to all the mothers and fathers out there doing their best to put conscious human beings on our planet! It's no small task.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Speaking Up

Speaking Up

I'm so excited! I had the opportunity to speak this morning at our school about simplifying for the holidays and though I was nervous, it was such an amazing experience for me to look out at all those faces really hanging on to each word. I actually felt a lot more comfortable than I expected. I wanted to evoke an image for the parents of what it looked, felt and smelled like in the home when the chaos of electronics and over scheduling is removed. I asked them to remember back to when they were small, to remember their favorite memories before all these things took over. In my image of a day without a cell phone, computer, television etc., a pot of soup is cooking on the stove, holiday music is playing at a low volume, a fire is crackling, candles are lit and crafts are laid out for the children to create. I asked these parents to dedicate one day during the season to create this sacred space and give their children their presence. I told them the world would not implode for that one day if they take the phone from their ear and avoid their emails. I said it they thinks it's too hard, consider this: (ironically a movie quote!) "We have a few special years with our children when they're the ones who want us around. After that you're going to be running after them for a bit of attention. It's so fast. It's a few years and it's over. And you're not being careful. And you're missing it." I was so excited by their response, people actually were crying! It was a really beautiful moment for me. I realized I do have something to say. And people do want to hear it. I am feeling very empowered and will take on more of these opportunities in the future.

poppy, you already know this made me break into bits, sobbing like i had no business doing, but i wanted everyone else to know it. poppy is a source of parenting magic that's come from a mix of intuition & hard knocks. her commitment to stay awake to her family is a wellspring that will save the lives of others, mark my words.

December 5, 2011 | Unregistered Commentermaya (maya@moon-storm.com)

Thursday, December 1, 2011

The Winds of Change

I cannot believe how strong these winds are! All night I can hear the grape vines twisting against the tile roof. They strip the remaining leaves from the trees, swirling them along the paths. The winds are blowing in the change of season as we approach the winter solstice and I feel the change in my bones and soul. Something more than the leaves is being stripped away, something is shifting rapidly and I'm not certain what it is. My spirit is reflected in this intense push of nature. Wild, determined and frankly, a little pissed off!