Hello, November 3rd people! Thx for your comments. I absolutely enjoy getting comments when I post. Isn't it fun? It's kind of like being a student again and getting feedback on a story you wrote. I've always loved that experience. Maybe not even a story, but a project of some kind. It's exhilarating to give it your all in some creative endeavor and then see and share the results. Pres. Uktdorf (sp?) is right on about the joy of creativity and our need for that. I would guess that's even more true in a family that leans toward the artistic and dramatic, musical and writing side of life.
We also love nurturing, either kids or animals or flowers or whatever. I think that so many things we are encouraged to do in the Gospel are right up our alley anyway. I think the flip side of that coin is learning to be more laid back and even. More structured.
It brings me so much joy when I am able to manage some structure in my life, and then I fit the creative things around that. I need lots of consistency to do that, with a dollop of adventure and silliness added in at times. I like getting certain things accomplished, then playing, producing, etc., whatever I want to. What luxury, then! It feels like I am flying!
So remember, you young mothers - you're creating and nurturing the most magical projects ever! Or anyone who deals with human beings or animals or plants, or does artwork or has a talent they use: there is the actual work side to what you are doing, and there is also an open window that lets you fly, that is limitless and unpredictable and blessed.
That is what C.S. Lewis came to see about living a life of faith and obedience; J.R.R. Tolkien spent a night walking and talking with him, and a light came on. Lewis had an epiphany. He suddenly understood that an obedient life doesn't restrict you - it frees you! That is where all the magic really is, beyond anything that we can comprehend.
Live your lives by an internal standard that isn't ruled by circumstance or people, but by an understanding of the truth.
Never forget that, for that is the true path to happiness.
3 comments:
I've thought a lot lately about how soon our kids will no longer be LITTLE kids and all the fun of having littles in the house will be over! That makes me sad. I try to think about the moments more when I remember this and then it makes me feel so happy to have all these little children around!
And yes, structure to the day is wonderful!
Yes, I agree that it is so satisfying to have your work done, and then play! But, it's hard to know when the work is done! And I agree that raising children is the most satisfying thing to grow! I have put a lot of things aside to raise them, and it is so worth it!
Ah, you have such good perfect advice. I'm so glad I'm at the beginning of child-rearing years, because I will bawl like a baby when I'm at the end. Really, I don't know how I'll be able to stop having children and then send them out into the world. But Sister Davis once said (at book club) that her favorite part of having children is when they're adults and she can have conversations with them and see how they're learning and growing up. We're always growing up, even when we're raising our own kids.
Post a Comment