The more I “delve” into the arts and create, whether it is through video, painting, drawing, writing or even just dancing….or walking or running I am confronted with an ever so slightly weightless feeling. The more I find my voice and open up the trap door to self expression the more connected I feel to life. I want to share the moment of joy I felt yesterday… it’s hard to explain. I never really think…woe… ok slow down I am really feeling connected to the moment. Have you ever taken the program “Make the Connection?” It’s a great program run by public health about making the connection with our children. I am sure many of us Mom’s and Dad’s have completed this program with our kids when they were babies. Let me tell you, yesterday I felt the connection. I was playing basketball with my 6 year old daughter on a quiet and rainy early evening. I watched her bounce and dribble that ball with stamina and lots of energy and she asked me to play with her and I did… I let go of everything… and played like a kid and like her Mom. I felt my face… a strange and different smile that I may not have felt in a really long time… like an awakened smile that burst with ease and happiness? Is this happiness? Wow I felt this connection… and It nearly knocked me to my feet as I felt my eyes and her eyes GAZE… a true, I would say mindfulness connection. I went with the flow, although I could tell I was nervous. All I can say is that these moments are awesome and sometimes hard to come by! We played and played and laughed and I gave her the Mommy time that she so craved and deserved. I have always done so much and tried to take the time and play or have “quality time” and do activities with my kids but I want to have more moments of joy like this one as I’m sure she felt me to be much more than just present. I could tell by her big grin that she was happy I was there with her. So, my explanation to myself is that by taking the time for my self… by connecting to my feelings through arts and being able to express stuff… well that’s what helps fuel the connection to those around us. It is this moment where I often feel oh no… i hope something doesn’t go wrong. I think things are always rooted in our past early childhood or life stories. For instance, maybe things often didn’t go according to plan or perhaps someone let you down or disappointment followed every corner. Do you ever feel like once you make the connection you may loose it? I hope to inspire more connection and fun times in the future. This feeling was priceless. I shared a sketch I did about 8 years ago of my great and inspiring friend Laura who is also an amazing Mom. She has also been a great inspiration to me and role model for finding connection to one’s self and thus those around us including our children.
This is very good article about on strengthening relationships.
Deep and strong relationships are based on understanding each other’s feelings, specifically for our kids.
Nusrat, thanks so much! So true what you say, understanding each other’s feelings is the key to building deeper and stronger relationships. We can understand each other better if we reflect on our own feelings as well. Being empathetic and trying to understand our child’s feelings and perspectives is not always an easy task but worth spending time on. Having children is a rollercoaster ride of emotions and I wish that when I was growing up, more people would have openly talked about all feelings. Emotional skills are taught and learning how to deal with or regulate emotions is a whole new chapter!