Being Present

I've been listening to "A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose", by Eckhart Tolle.  Got it on audio book so I could take it with me when I go for walks with my dog. And I didn't get it because it's on Oprah's book club -- kudos to her for putting a book like this on her book list -- but because I had read his previous book "The Power of Now" and it had made an impact on me.

"A New Earth" is so far just as great as his previous book.  It's the kind of message that I, in my judgmental have-been-in-NY-for-too-long point of view, did not think the majority of the population would be ready to digest.  But as the author points out right from the get go, humanity is just now opening itself to awakening.  I certainly need some of that!

On chapter two of the book he shares some thoughts on parenting that really hit home for me today.  It reminded me of the fact that from a "being" point of view my kids are my equals and I'm here to allow them to be who they are, without playing into society's role of what a parent is supposed to be.

Easier said than done, I know!  But reminding ourselves to be present at each moment with our kids can only result in a more mindful experience of parenting.

This morning (after my walk with the dog listening to all the wonderful insights from Eckhart Tolle) my son was having a real hard time getting ready for school.  And I was having an even harder time trying at keep my cool as I worked HARD at getting him to eat his breakfast and get dressed fast enough so not to be late for school.  Towards the end I found myself yelling at him as he stared at me totally unaware of what was going on.  After he left I was FINALLY able to put some thought into what had happened.  It was as if my son was not even present as I yelled at him.  Because he wasn't!!  It was I reacting on MY OWN expectations of him and of what needed to happen at that moment.  To be present is, in many ways, to allow yourself to step back and see the situation as an exchange between two EQUAL beings, playing different roles.

I'm sure I'll have plenty of opportunities to practice being present with my kids... there are plenty of buttons to push!!  In the meantime I'll keep listening to the book.

I would certainly recommend ECKHART TOLLE's books. And would love to hear about your experiences with trying to stay present in your interactions with your kids.