Last week, I had an appointment at the US consulate in Amsterdam to get a document notarized. I got up extra early (in the dark😱), skipped my yoga and meditation practice, and headed towards the train station, with an extra-large orange juice in one hand and a banana in the other.
I got off at an unusual station in Amsterdam so I could explore a new neighborhood on foot (one of my favorite Covid activities😆) making me way to the US Consulate from there.
Upon arrival, unfortunately, I found out that I could not enter the Consulate with an iPad in my bag (guess I should have read the details in that email🧐).So, my choices were to find and ask a stranger to hold the iPad for the following 25-30 minutes OR to reschedule. I chose to reschedule.
However, something rather magical happened that day in Amsterdam. And here is what it was:
I took my time to slowly walk through the alleyways and skinny streets in the city. I stopped to take notice of the rusted bikes and other ones covered in flowers, of quaint and crooked houses, and of peoples' faces as I passed them, smiling gently. Winding in and out of the streets, I eventually made my way to the Central Station. And when I arrived, I noticed how present I felt: alive and aware of the little things that I miss when I am going through the motions of my day.
Why do I share this story with you today? And what does it have to do with mindfulness (and guiding and teaching kids)?
In our society, I think we have become a little bit obsessed with purpose. We assign purpose to (almost) everything we do, from young kids studying to get to the assigned reading level to the way we use our time, ensuring that each minute of our day is accounted for.
When we take the time to engage in activities without a purpose or end-goal, we often find ourselves really present. We can show up fully to the process because there is nowhere else to go but just be right here.
When I took the train to Amsterdam, I had a purpose, and I walked in stride towards that purpose, arriving at the Consulate for my appointment; yet suddenly, when that purpose was erased, I could take the time to look at the World and just be there.
Doing things for the joy of doing them teaches kids to show up for the process and not just to achieve some result.
Some of the most brilliant and motivated kids I have ever met have a daily practice of showing up to what they are interested in, even if there is no goal or finish line. It may look like playing, laughing, or perfecting a move on the outside, but on the inside they are present and following their passion. And that is important.
Without the pressure of an end result, a grade, or a finished product, your child can fully engage what is at-hand, without the anticipation of the future. And that teaches more than just hard work; it teaches them to show up. It teaches us that the most important part of life is the journey.
For me, these are the little things I notice when I am walking, creating art or baked goods for the sake of creating them, or listening to someone I love share a story with me.
What about you? What are the things you do that make you feel alive, engaged in the process? What are these things for your children?
Wishing you a week full of presence (and some purpose) 🥰.