There is a powerful difference
between living life feeling free and living life feeling like a hamster
in a cage. At various times in our daily lives, with our many
responsibilities, we can come to feel a bit like the hamster.
When
we feel free, our body responds by relaxing its tight grip -- our
gaze softens, our shoulder's relax, we breathe more deeply, and our
jaw unclenches. Also, our toes release their pressured
touch against the bottom of our shoes or the ground. The works
of our toes, and their desperate clinging to the ground in an
heroic effort to keep us steady and secure, is not
often realized. At the same time, our toes can help us in the
practice of mindful parenting.
Today, if you find yourself
anxious, frustrated, angry, or stressed, bring your attention to your
toes. More likely than not, they are not floating freely but
are pressed downward or clenched toward each other. Once
you become aware of this, relax your toes and allow them to float
naturally. Shift the responsibility of bearing your weight from
your diligent and wonderful toes to the upper fleshy pads of your feet.
Breathe
deeply and scan the rest of your body for signs of tension.
Soften your gaze, relax your shoulders, unclench your jaw, and continue
to breathe fully, allowing your breath to expand your abdomen.
With
your attention on your toes, open awareness to your child, wherever
he or she may be. If your child is between one and ten, focus
on the toe corresponding to the number of their age. If your
child is between 10 and 100, focus on the toe corresponding to the
decade representing their age. As you do, wriggle that toe (allow
those around it to dance too if they so choose) and visualize your
child.
As you open awareness to the presence of your child in
your life, sense your child feeling joyful and free.
Send loving thoughts to your child and smile.
