Admittedly, I spend a lot of my time thinking about how I can do things better. I've been told I am a frustrated perfectionist, which I think may be a slight downgrade from someone who has actually mastered the perfectionist thing. Good or bad? I'm not really sure. Needless to say, there are certainly areas of my life that I would like to be different.
For example, I wish I actually wanted to do the dishes at the end of a meal, but I don't. And I'm not very good at focusing on one task at a time. As I write this, I am actually in the middle of doing a load of laundry, feeding my children and helping my husband with some plumbing when he needs me.
You see what I mean?
But there are definitely pieces of my life and aspects to my character that I do love. That was entirely evident to me last night as we sat around our patio table indulging in excellent conversation over barbecued salmon with cherished friends old and new.
And when I say new, I mean really new. We met them only two hours before down at the river, where we took the girls on the hottest day of the year for a quick, refreshing dip.
This young family had the same idea as us, a fast way to cool off surrounded by the beauty of the Chief in the background, rushing glacial waters and towering trees. It was picturesque, and while I was taking photos of my family jumping from a fallen tree into the frigid creek, I snapped a couple of theirs as they dipped their toes in the water and squealed in delight.
I offered to send the pictures by email if they wanted, and they said they were happy to have someone capture their first visit to the river in Squamish, their new home. Turns out they had spent the past two weeks driving across the country with their four-year-old and baby to move to our town based only on their gut feeling - and a bit of Internet research - that it would be a great place to live.
We already had plans to have friends over for supper and had a huge fish to serve. The more the merrier, we thought. And as we swatted flies away from the salad, laughing at their determination, a new friendship was forged and I felt almost giddy inside that my children think nothing of inviting new neighbours over to the house with no sense of awkwardness or social impropriety.
Turns out that despite the things I sometimes beat myself up over for not doing, I realize I also have some good things to offer and teach by example. So I am giving myself a break this week (perhaps this will become a new habit) and I would suggest that you do the same. Think about all the great things you ARE doing and teaching your children by just being your fabulous self.
Now, doesn't that feel good?
Kirsten Andrews offers Simplicity Parenting workshops and courses throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor. Visit www.SeaToSkySimplicityParenting.com and Facebook for more information or email her at [email protected].
