At a recent college alumni retreat, we worked through an exercise identifying a list of what is important to us and then reflected on how we spend our time.
Were we balanced or did this prove our disequilibrium?
As children, we have our whole life ahead of us; each year brings so much change and growth. But as we age, the days feel as if they go so much quicker, and the years fly by. If we don’t live consciously and value every moment, it’s easy to end up wondering where our life has gone.
Exercises that teach us to stop and live life intentionally are so important at any age. Cancer patients often say that their diagnosis woke them up and helped them live a life they chose. Similarly, I’ve witnessed firsthand the power of pause for infertility patients. When a woman in that situation takes time to step back and be present in her daily routine, ensuring that she’s getting a proper balance of diet, exercise and self-care alongside her work and other commitments, the goal of becoming pregnant has a better chance at reality.
No Regrets
In my opinion, striving to have no major regrets in life is the ultimate goal. Living with intention or purpose is an important step in that ideal direction.
A Fulfilling Life
For me living a life of purpose and fulfilment has been about setting goals and pursuing them. As a child, it was perhaps easier to do this —because I had classes to take, tests to pass, and papers to write. For me, this went into my middle twenties as I pursued the advanced degrees necessary for my career. Once my schooling was finished, I practiced my trade day in and day out while raising children. I was living day to day, getting by without setting long-range goals. I had not been taught how to plan and live intentionally as an adult. I didn’t have a master plan. I didn’t often slow down to take stock with myself, or my loved ones about how things were unfolding. In many ways, life just happened. And now as I am about to send my youngest off to college, I hope that muddling through the day to day, I have taught my children all I hoped to, so they have the tools necessary to lead a purposeful, fulfilling life.
In retrospect, I wish I had taken more time to live intentionally, More time for self care, more time to foster relationship building: between each of my children and me, child to child, and also with my partner. Time to stop, breathe, set and reevaluate goals… and perhaps most importantly of all, time to just sit and be.
Wellness and Parenting Classes
Recognizing that I am not alone in getting caught up in the process of living without ensuring I am consciously selecting the paths to walk down, I am proud to announce new classes at our Center. We have Mindfulness Classes on Wednesday evenings, Meditations and Yoga on Saturdays and now we are introducing a new Parenting Class, designed to be taken during pregnancy, because there’s no better time to start mapping out the family you want to grow than when you are just about to embark on this journey.
New parents are ecstatic to start their family, but they also are sleep deprived and often without a blueprint for the tools necessary to raise well adjusted children. This includes working through how each partner can prioritize time to her or himself to relax, unwind, and make space for seeing and checking not just goals, but also intentions.
Together We’ll Find A Way
In today’s environment, living in small nuclear family often far from extended family, makes parenting difficult. I encourage pregnant women and their partners to join us in parenting classes during pregnancy. You may think it will make more sense when your child is already here, but taking the time to consider, discuss and set goals may be the most thoughtful gift you ever give your child – and yourself.
For more information about our new Parenting Class, contact us.
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