As we all know, the journey is the reward

A few days ago, I learnt to live in the here and now, even on a short journey home. And who taught me this? My children, of course. I was on my way home from nursery with my two kids (3 & almost 6) and an empty baking tray from the nursery birthday party when my son (3) decided to go on a sit-down strike.

Shortly before that, I was physically on my way home, but in my mind I was already at home with my to-do list ... folding laundry, repotting tomato plants, cooking dinner ... what do I start with first? The usual everyday things. That's why I was a little perplexed when I was so rudely torn from my thoughts. Not to say I was already a little stressed.

So the sit-in broke out without warning.

Our 10-minute walk turned into over an hour. I could try all I wanted, but my persuasion didn't get any response. He just stayed seated. Sometimes he would move forward a metre, then he would move back 2. During this hour, I experienced various feelings from amusement, to stress, to frustration, until I arrived at letting go of all these feelings.

I also sat down on the floor and simply lived in the moment. When I let go and arrived in the here and now, it became easier for me. I can't say that I was in complete relaxation mode when I sat on the baking tray at the side of the road. But at least the urge to rush home to get something done subsided.

My son's favourite word at the moment is "Why?". He questions everything. Of course, even things that we take for granted. I think that's great because I realise that I often don't have an answer to his questions myself. This makes me realise how much I simply accept, tolerate and believe many things without looking into them more closely.

This encourages me to question things and gives me the opportunity to get out of my autopilot.

So I also asked my son during the sit-down strike "why" we are now waiting here and can't play in the garden at home.

Again, he had no answer for me. Too bad, I thought to myself and just gave him, my daughter and I the time because it was convenient.

I just had to get out of my mental tangle to realise that I can only get through this situation with inner peace. In our modern world, especially in punctual & well-regulated Germany, our appointments are timed to the second and our to-do lists are so long that an unexpected event can cause chaos. Especially with children, unforeseen situations often happen that throw us completely off track. And then we have to weigh things up.

What is really important now? What has priority? What are the lasting consequences of my decision?

Of course, there are no one-size-fits-all answers and solutions, but I firmly believe that if we look deep inside ourselves, we will recognise the right path for us.

Anything is possible.

Deine Alicja.