Weekend Reads II: Partnership, Peace and Parenthood

It’s not so much what I’m going to do this weekend that stirs the soul.

It’s what I’m not going to do. I won’t put in more seat time than a NASCAR champ. I won’t pry my eyelids open after another late night and early morning wondering when in the hell I’ll get to write on this blog again.

No, there will be seat time – on the couch, with the laptop, watching football, though.

I’ll throw golf discs and I’ll grill. Also, I’ll read. I want you to read too. This long holiday weekend, wherever you are, check out these posts. Each dropped a mic to some degree as I found them (has it really been three weeks?) and you’ll love them too.

Tell me something you liked about one or more of these posts in your comments.

Also: Joey writes the blog Big Teeth and Clouds. She asked about naming rights for my new (used) car. I’ll post a picture of her soon. (The car, not Joey.) And maybe you can help me name her. (Again, the car. Not Joey. Her name already rocks.)

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I didn’t get into this marriage for a clean house

Clint, of No Idea What I’m Doing: A Daddy Blog

Generational differences are pretty interesting, and I’ve noticed a difference not only in how the Boomer generation accepted their grandparent status, but how they’ve carried it out. Clint’s boomer mom gives us all food for thought.

Unlike my father I didn’t really think about a clean house when I married my wife. I thought about how I liked what she had to say. I thought about how she made me feel. I thought about how she smiled a lot. I liked that. I thought about how she was sweet and thoughtful, and how she seemed like the kind of mother I’d want for my children. – Clint

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The weight of what we carry | Everyday nostalgia

Corey, of Everyday Nostalgia

It’s in the simple aspects of life, parts we assume we don’t have a choice, that make a difference when you shift them. It’s easy to carry the sharp things. We think it’s our cross to bear. It isn’t. It’s often a decision you can make in an instant, to leave it behind.

I have a moment of clarity: Perhaps beauty and grace can be found even if I recognize and acknowledge that the weight of all these things—these things I’ve been choosing to carry—are far too heavy for one person to bear. I am finally able to find beauty in the graceful realization that I can only do so much. – Corey

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Keeping the whirlwind quiet

Andrea, of Stumbling Every Day

When we think we haven’t anything to say we actually have the most to say. Compelling blog reading has little to do with the details, and everything to do with the sentiment. You have a chance to think of such things as you taxi the loves of your life around!

Don’t we guard our hearts and what we really think from others, to keep and preserve that which is most easily injured? The more time that passes, the harder it is to open up again. This extends into every area of life, every relationship. It’s unhealthy to keep things bottled up. I feel this acutely, especially during this time of radio (blog) silence. – Andrea

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4 of the most beloved & effective gems of Buddhist wisdom

Michelle, of Elephant Journal

Writing on mindfulness is exhausting. I still want to. I still will. But I’m realistic. Reading posts like this helps. Our inner dialogue limits our inner dialogue. It’s only by opening up to new voices (sometimes with old concepts) that we can kick it up to a higher gear.

Gratitude is the strongest and most durable foundation for our lives. Life is not about eternal happiness. It is about being real, being here, witnessing and holding space for all that arises. Reflecting, growing, modeling health and genuine humanness. It’s doing the inner work each day so that our light can shine out and benefit others. – Michelle

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What is a shadow worker?

Nikki, of Nikki Watson: love, spirit, life dweller and believer of miracles

It’s incredible how difficult it is for us to see our shadow selves. We despise those traits so much that to admit they come from us seems impossible. When we realize first that forgiveness if for ourselves – and beyond that, recognize the liberation forgiving ourselves causes – self-care becomes more second nature, doesn’t it?

When we let the negative feelings within us dwell, we remain imprisoned by them. We are giving ourselves the relief and the peace we deserve when we let ourselves be free. – Nikki

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When this happens, I feel so unprepared as a parent

Katherine, of Welcome to the Nursery

I recently renewed my certification for CPR (required for coaches – should be for parents!) We do all we can, and life still throws us curve balls. I’ve found that trusting in your instincts is the best way to go about a life that can surprise us at any moment.

So much of a parent’s life is filled with hum-drum dishes, teeth brushing, and cleaning up – mostly the cleaning up, right?! When something out of the ordinary happens, it can be hard to react perfectly – I get it – but I feel like parents are held to a higher standard and need to be on top of the situation immediately. – Katherine

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Tempest in a teacup

C.J., of Just My Thoughts … and a Cup of Tea

Sometimes the way we choose to cope not only gets us through turmoil – it also can lift us to new heights. I consciously don’t look up much at the big picture because the immediate scene is more than enough!

Mental health in these tumultuous times is not always an easy thing to achieve. I found myself thinking a few months ago about how I got through other times like this in my life, and then I remembered. I painted and sketched my way through. It was calming and was a way of expressing a message. Sometimes only I knew the message, but it was there. – C.J.

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