Jayne.press

There’s always the present.

I like the idea that we can learn from our past. I also like that we can leave our past in the past. I like that the future is in our daily habits. I also like that there is such thing as happenstance that can make us feel like the luckiest person in the world.

We can linger around in the past, that’s our choice. We can linger around in the future, that’s also our choice. BUUUT I hear from a good chunk of great men and women, that one of our greatest gifts is the present. I hope that I can take a moment each day and just relish in what around me. Whether it be the sound of rain, the smell of a new book, or the taste of a hot cup of sleepy tea.

Tomorrow my challenge is to take THREE (not just one but three) moments to appreciate my present moment.

*Writing it here is my accountability.

The career of a sage is of two kinds: He is either honored by all in the world, Like a flower waving its head, Or else he disappears into the silent forest.

Lao Tzu

I’m honored by many things, but some things bring me more honor than others. What’s great about being me is that I get to choose the moments that I’m honored to be part of.

Let’s start with this: when you’re a stay-at-home mom, there are no certificates, no award ceremonies, and when you are recognized for your effort, it means a lot. But there’s nothing you get to hang on the wall for your ability to manage an entire home. So, for me, intentional recognition for my efforts means a great deal. (And that’s okay) With all that being said, we find our rewards. Whether it be in seeing our child’s behavior change, finally tackling that project AND completing it, or even getting the kids up for school and on the bus on time. I think what honors me most is my family being happy to see me.

Second, words and symbols are enormous for me. I do appreciate paper awards. Many times I was honored to receive them. At the same time, to hear why I’m appreciated, how I will be appreciated, and on top of that to have some symbolic/cultural references sprinkled in! That will light my whole fire. I’d be speechless.

I’d consider it a great privilege.

There are very few times the latter has happened in my life. Every single time it happened, I was honored.

The Wright brothers flew right through the smoke screen of impossibility.

Charles Kettering

Impossibility described as a smoke screen, lights my fire.

Impossibility is an illusion. Possibility is the truth. You may be uncertain, but faith, hope, grit, and determination are what can get you there. Feeling around in the dark, failing over and over again, losing yourself to find yourself. Remembering why you decided to answer the call. These are all part of the journey we chose to take. Hold your chin up and remember that every single one of these moments is worth seeing.

The most important ceremony was the Weighing of the Heart.  This had to happen in order for a person to be able to go to the afterlife.

The person would have their heart weighed to see if it was heavy or if it was light.  If someone’s heart was heavy, they would never make it to the afterlife and they would be stuck in the Underworld forever, or they would just disappear.

If a heart was light, the person would be able to go to the Land of Two Fields which was a place full of joy and happiness.  This was a place where the people would meet their loved ones that had died before them.

History for Kids

Today I was thinking about the scales of justice in ancient Egypt. On one side of the scale was a human heart, and on the other side was a feather. As it reads above, it was believed that if a person’s heart was lighter than the feather, it meant that they had lived a good life and would be welcomed into the afterlife. If their heart was heavier than the feather, it meant that they had lived a bad life and would be stuck in the underworld.

This belief is a reminder that the weight of our actions can have a profound impact on our lives. When we live good lives, we make the world a better place and we also make our own hearts lighter. When we live bad lives, we make the world a worse place and we also make our own hearts heavier.

So let’s all do our best to lift the weight of our hearts with goodness, giving, gratitude, and peace.

You Can Pour Drinks On Me. You Can Throw Food At Me… But For Good Reason Or Not, Nobody Hurts A Friend Of Mine!”

Shanks

I’m loving One Piece, the live action on Netflix. I had to watch some of the original episodes too. I adore Luffy. I haven’t gotten far in any of the series, but I’m going to keep watching because I really like the characters. I like the way they all bring their own talents to the table and the way they initially push back against Luffy’s seemingly naive positivity. It’s fun! Luffy is a great leader who reminds us to lighten up when facing uncertainty and stand up for the innocent. It’s a worthy watch.

If your superpower was being rubber, how would you use that to your advantage?

If I was rubber, I’m not exactly sure who I’d become but I do know I want to be the person that reminds people there’s good in the world.

One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.

Bryant H. McGill

I’m not always the best listener. My brain often leaves conversations without my permission. I get lost in thought or lost in a memory triggered by something said, or even just lost trying to process the first sentence of what they said. I do my best to listen, and even more so, I do my best to show with my actions that I listened. Whether by body language or by saying something in response that confirms I heard them. I’m definitely better at this in public. At home, I just want to not. The problem is that’s the most important place to listen! I love my family’s stories so much. I always want them to repeat, repeat, repeat! But I want to work harder on listening to their stories the first time. I want to be a part of their life. I want to know what’s going on. I’m interested in knowing and feeling all their pains and joys. I don’t ever want them to feel like they are alone.

Maybe starting today, I can write down something each of them told me about their day and put it in a journal everyday until January… Just might work

Went on another bike ride and let me tell you, these bike rides make me feel so good. I get to spend quality time with my family, plus I get my heartrate up and get moving! I really love fitness, but finding a way to do it that fits my lifestyle was the challenge. This fits well for us.

I look forward to those fall bike rides.