Tuesday 9 October 2012

Quality time

Years ago I noticed that I would be 'running' on the spot constantly. There was food to cook, the house to clean, the washing to be done, the kids need attention, I had to work, the dog needed walking, the bills had to be paid, the phone ringing, the shopping to be done, I wanted some time, the garden needed weeding....ahhhhh the list goes on and on....(and this was before Facebook ;)!  

I would sit with my kids, try,and play with them but not really enjoy it as my mind was on all the above. I realised that I was not really present with my children, my family, as I was thinking about the future and not focusing on the present. I gave them time, not quality time, not my undivided attention time.

Remember this?

The past is history
The future is a mystery
This moment is a gift....that's is why it is called the present. (Bill Keane)

I began to realise that the food got cooked, with love, the house was, sort of, clean, the washing got done, I worked, the dog had walks, the bills where paid, the phone rang (now we ignore it when we are eating together or doing something that is important not to disturb), the shopping happens, I get time and it is often in the garden! I could enjoy my family, at any given moment and I could look through my children's eyes at their view of the world and that is a gift. My youngest son, when he regales a story, his eyes get bigger and bigger, it is so warming to my heart to really listen and really look at him. That is quality time, that moment when you are present, in the moment, with your family and your loved ones and it is timeless.