Mindful Parenting is a contemplative practice through which we become more mindful of our children and, in doing so, experience a more joyful life.
The Mindful Parent is an organization
devoted to sharing with parents and other child caregivers ways in
which to enhance the many joys of parenting. By mindfully attending
to our children, both when we are physically present with them and
when we are physically separated from them, we can enhance our sense
of connection to them and, in turn, our connection to the cosmos.
This makes us a better parent, a happier person, and a more vital
human being.
To facilitate a more mindful approach to parenting,
The Mindful Parent publishes on its website, and in its bi-weekly
newsletter,
mindful parenting
verses and commentaries. The Mindful
Parent website also serves as a community forum that encourages and
supports a mindful parenting dialogue and the sharing of mindful parenting
experiences.
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Today's Sip: Speak to Your Child
As If The Words Were Your
Last
We've all heard the saying, "live each day as if
it were your last." The meaning is clear: if you believed
this were your last day alive, you would get your priorities straight,
you would live each moment fully, you would have no regrets.
Today,
when you are with your child, speak to your child as though the
words were your last. This may be difficult to do throughout
the day so, pick one time in particular.
When you are with your
child or speaking to your child over the phone (or e-mail), imagine
that some traumatic event took place out of the blue, rendering you
with but a few minutes to live. This need only take place
in your mind.
Breathe deeply and slow your thinking. Do
not plan what you are going to say. When the time is right,
it will emerge from a mindful place. Try to really role
play the facts of this tragedy. You have but a few more
breaths left and a few more words to utter.
Look to your
child with soft eyes and share with them what you would
were you on your deathbed -- your final words. It need
only be a profound moment to you.
Afterward, reflect on what
emerged. Rarely do we get a second chance or the opportunity
to learn, in this lifetime, from the experience.
