Summer is here. School is out. Relationships fill my heart and time. I can’t promise new and densely enriching posts every week. I’ll be busy chasing kids and frogs and sprinkler haze. Living wide-eyed and spontaneously. I doubt I’ll be able to stay away from writing entirely but if the week slips away from me in a summery slip and slide way, there may be some evergreening of old posts to fill your inboxes and dreamy minds.
For this week a list. Simple but meaningful.
18 Things I Want My Kids to Know
1. It’s OK to spend time alone. You may need it to recharge. Anyone who tells you differently is jealous, afraid of being alone or simply doesn’t understand. No matter what, it’s OK.
2. Alone does not mean lonely. Solitude may be the place where you are most alive.
3. You have to be a good friend to have good friends. Make friendship meaningful. It’s not about collecting 1000s of followers on Twitter. It’s about being genuine, vulnerable and committed. Small groups are just as, if not more, satisfying than masses of quasi-friends.
4. Don’t work solely for results. Enjoy the process. Notice beauty along the way.
5. Spare yourself from rushing. Rushing allows life to pass unnoticed and promotes dissatisfaction. Savor life. Live slowly and mindfully. You will expand.
6. Creativity is just as important as intelligence. It’s a different form of intelligence and it enriches lives. Creativity comes from within. Facts come from outside. Intelligence can be found in a Google search. Creativity creates awe.
7. You are loved whether you have a herd of friends or a heap of books to keep you company.
8. Fall in love with someone for how they look AT the world as opposed to how they look TO the world.
9. Fall in love because you are ready not because you think you should.
10. The world needs you to do what you love. Happy people spread light.
11. True love does exist but you have to know and love yourself first.
12. The world needs advisors AND warriors. Respect both.
13. People are not disposable and neither is our planet. Treat them with care and you’ll benefit.
14. Kindness helps people grow. Judgment stunts them. Nurturing others helps you blossom.
15. Listening is love and enhances lives.
16. Just because someone talks fast, loudly and with conviction does not mean they are smarter, better or right.
17. Action dissolves fear. Don’t sit in analysis paralysis.
18. You are here for two reasons: 1. To figure out what your gifts are. 2. To use your gifts to help others.
What did I miss? Any other words of wisdom?
Similar posts from space2live:
15 Ways Art Saves Children from the Stupor of Standardized Tests
Exhausting Perfection I’m Breaking Up with You
In Defense of Introverted Parents
More Than a Mom-Droid: Letting Children See Your Soul
nice gathering of introverted okness, number 4 I practice daily.
[…] 18 Things An Introverted Mom Wants Her Kids to Know […]
Wow, this list is perfect. Just perfect.
Thank you. I suspect it will evolve but for now the list contains my deepest wishes for my children (and maybe even myself;).
[…] ← 18 Things An Introverted Mom Wants Her Kids to Know […]
Reblogged this on The Dharmata.
I love this, Brenna. Sorry I’ve been so absent from the reading and commentary lately. One thing I am struggling with right now in my own life is #10. I’m not certain that what I’m doing is what I love, but like so many others, with a mortgage, two kids to send through college, etc.. what I do gives me a financial security that is hard to turn away at this point in my life and at my age, I sometimes feel that there is no “second chance” to start something anew. I know people say that “it’s never too late”, but in truth, it IS too late for some things! That said, I’m trying to investigate ways to spend my free time doing more of the things I love to create a balance. Thanks for your always insightful writing.
So great to see ‘suburban dirt’ pop up in my comment box. 🙂 How are you?
I am in the same boat regarding #10. I do what I love when I connect through writing but it does lack that fine aspect of providing financial security. I looked into going back to school to get a masters in counseling. Daunting!! 35+ hours of class/studying/reading/writing for 3 years. I have to ration my introvert energy reserves and this would probably put me over the top. My children are my first priority, then it would be nice to do something that creates some sort of cash flow.
I have found spending time with people that energize me and even helping them with their endeavors makes me happy. I’m collaborating with a friend on his new business. I love this! It’s less of a commitment than taking on my own project and I get to make the world a better place too. I am also gaining experience as I contribute.
I think it is completely possible to do what you love as you do what you ‘gotta’ do. You’re a bright woman with open eyes. You’ll find your way to doing meaningful things.
Thanks for the kind and encouraging words, Brenna. I do find that when I get back to writing for pleasure, which is something I’ve always enjoyed, I can see more possibilities and the day-to-day job isn’t so taxing. I think the difficult thing is seeing how to ever move from doing what you “have to do” on a daily basis to doing more of what you “love to do”. Without a major lifestyle change or winning the lottery, I know I will have to create some kind of balance and of course, at different times in our lives, the scales can be tipped!
Your collaboration with your friend sounds like a wonderful situation and I hope you’ll be writing about it so I can learn more.
Again, thanks for your encouragement. It’s nice to meet folks virtually who help you see things in a different way and provide those nudges along the way to keep you going! =)
This is a gorgeous list.
This is a wonderful list. I can’t disagree with any of them! Thanks for sharing your encouragements with the world.
Thank you for reading and leaving such kind words. I think a lot, what can I say! 🙂 I love sharing and connecting.
Great list from a great mother.
Have a super weekend.
I have one child mad at me and the other two bickering right now so I don’t feel like a great mother but I keep trying.;) Thanks for reading and commenting Elizabeth.
Awesome list, Brenda!
Thanks for reading and commenting Jason.:)
Love this list – it really captures everything I want my kids to know!
Awww thank you. Now if we could only instill the messages.;)
I love this. <3
Thanks Connie, a mom I admire.:)