The Language of Letting Go

In the 2nd night of the parenting class the instructor suggested a book called "The Language of Letting Go" to another participant. It is basically meditations and is geared towards persons that are co-dependent and yeah... I think I am one of those ... or at least I have issues of co-dependency. Whatever rocks my boat, right? Anywhoooooo.... the instructor told this person to always read the current day PLUS what is written for August 17th ... and me, being that I love reading just had to get the book and well, I started reading it (and doing as I was told.)

Ironically when I commented to a friend about it she mentioned that she had it and in its time, it was of great help to her. And well, in my mind I started connecting the dots ... Paulo Coelho (one of my favorites authors) wrote in "The Alchemist" that (and don't quote me on this) when something is for you, the Universe conspires to bring it to you. I took the fact that my friend read this book as something I needed to do to ... more so when its message just sinks in the depths of my soul when I read it ... is like, the message is so important, so profound, that I have to read it more than once so it can sink in properly.

In tonight's class, she asked the participant to read the August 17th entry ... and I just don't know why but it opened the flood gates for me and through out the class, I just couldn't seem to close them back. It is just something about when something so deep is read out loud, that just touched a nerve in me. And I was seating at the front and I am sure the instructor could see me but I just kept my head down and I listened and I took notes. Notes that I promise I will be sharing here as it will be a way to remind myself and share it with others. The last thing she said, just struck such a deep chord in me that once I filled out my post-test, I got up and left, again 'cause I was crying and I didn't want her or anyone there to see me like that. She said that we are the product of our mothers ... I am my mother ... I am my mother?! ... I guess is true ... I am my mother.

In time I will decide if I really write about my mother in here or not. I do know and realize that she did the best she could with what she had. And I have nothing but love and respect for her. I understood how big her love for me and my sis was when I became a mother. So don't think that I am in any way, shape or form putting down my mother. Is just that ... I never saw or thought of myself being my mother. Period.

Families First!

About two weeks ago I got a flyer from my son's school that read "Families First!" ... "Raising Responsible Children" ... wow, I mean, who DOESN'T want to raise their kids to be responsible?! So I called and signed up. Is a series of three meetings and a few nights ago was the first one.

W.O.W. ... not because I learned anything NEW but because I saw how everything that I have been reading lately in an effort to better myself, take care of myself, etc is all CONNECTED ... it was a very big "AHA!" moment for me.

One of the first things that was discussed was listening skills. Everyone hears, but not everyone listens. The instructor stated how important it is to have eye contact, to focus on what is being said and how we need to let the other person say ALL they are saying without being interrupted. How many times, while you are talking to someone, they are not even halfway done and you already have an answer on the tip of your tongue? I do it all the time! LOL So yeah, that is one of those things that I have to work on.

Then we moved on to acceptance. "Acceptance is the key to life" <<--- this phrase, according to the instructor, is what the AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) is based on. Life happens and you have to deal with what it throws your way. Period. You don't have to like it, you don't have to be in aggreement with it but in order for you to deal with it, you have to accept it. If what comes your way is something you don't like, is ok, but it doesn't give you the right to mistreat those around you or be mean to them. Comes to mind a phrase that my ex taught me well ... it is what it is.

We then moved to what the instructor called the "Laws of the Universe." And they are as follows:

1. Children learn what they are given to learn.

2. You are the role model at ALL times.

3. Children learn from you to view life as something positive or something negative.

4. You must be NOW what you want your child to become.

The line that struck me the most was that "you need to be NOW the person you want your child to become." Not later, not in a few years ... NOW! Soooo... that means I have some work to do .... on myself. Pronto.

I think this is enough information for one entry - on my next blog I will discuss the five assignments that were given to us and how I am doing with them. Feel free to comment below, thanks!