birthday & butterflies
This week I am a substitute in a 2nd grade classroom. Today is also my husband's birthday. This means I am working full time, while still doing the “stuff” I normally do. Let’s just say, I am a little nervous about how this is going to go.
Perfectly delicious birthday cake!
My aim is to hold myself at center. I hope to take the lessons I am learning from “The Archer” by Paulo Coelho, and to only exert my precious energy on what is truly necessary.
“The arrow is the intention.
It is what unites the strength of the bow with the center of the target.
The intention must be crystal clear, straight and balanced.”
As I focus my intentions, I am asking myself…
Do the outside windows that have been on the to-do list for weeks need to be cleaned this week? Can my child make his cold lunch? Can I get a walk in during my school day? Does his birthday cake have to be homemade this year?
There is the phrase, “if you want a job done, ask the busy person to do it”
Yes, this may be acknowledging a person's reliability, efficiency, and general momentum. But at what cost? There is a limit. There is a limit of how much energy is in my tank. If I am giving to everyone and everything else, I can guarantee you, the tasks that will NOT be completed are the ones that actually matter to me. The self-loving moments of rest, movement, time in nature, and being present to those I love.
Observing the monarch emerge from its chrysalis.
We arrived home after school to the normal unpacking of backpacks and I’m unloading the store bought cake. My son goes out to play. He runs back moments later with, “Come QUICK!!!” I ran out in an air of emergency- “The monarch is hatching”.
THIS. This is crystal clear. This is how I choose to concentrate my energy. Watching a monarch emerge, a first time experience for all three of us, is how I choose to spend my afternoon. We were there at the moment it started to pump its wings and the brown goo (which we learned is called meconium) left its little body. Will this sweet being likely make it this season in flight? No, the winter frosts have arrived. But I appreciate it’s generous gift, allowing us the honor its transition into this phase of life. This afternoon, we were able to pause and appreciate the beauty of our natural world.
“A bow is at rest or under tension in the hand of the archer, but the hand is merely the place where all the muscles of the body, all the intentions of the archer, and all the effort of shooting are concentrated. Therefore, in order to maintain the elegance of posture while keeping the bow drawn, make sure that every part does only what is necessary and do not dissipate your energies. That way, you will be able to shoot many arrows without tiring.”
This week, I strive to acknowledge my posture of elegance. I will hold my intentions in crystal clear clarity. I will do what actually matters. I will be present for the sweet moments. When I strive for balance, in what may feel like an unbalanced week, I know it will not be perfect. But if I hold myself in the center, I know I will be able to shoot more arrows without tiring.
This Week’s A Door Within:
What is my intention?
How can I hold myself as the first target?
What can I delegate to make room for better?
♥ Ashley
Quotes from “The Archer” by Paulo Coelho
