2021 Intentions - Family

I thought that I would start with something relatable, family. I know were I fall short with my family. I know the type of mother, wife, daughter, sister, niece, cousin...etc... I would like to be, so what makes that so hard?! What has stopped me from being that person in the past? I would have to say....time, expectations, distractions, demands....Can you feel me?

I feel like every year I have set out saying I was going to be better in regards to family and I am not sure that has ever really happened. This year I am going to simplify that intention. I am going to do my best to in two areas. Patience and connection.

Patience in the heat of the moment is tough. Patience when we are exhausted is tough. Patience when we are overwhelmed is tough. Patience when we are scared or anxious ourselves is tough. When the kids are fighting, the dogs barking, the kitchens a mess, doorbell rings -- I will do my best to breathe. My heart is racing from just writing that scenario. When life gets crazy, I will breathe. When my 10, going on 17 year old daughter tests me, I will breathe. When my son fills my living room with legos 10 minutes before we have guests arriving, I will breathe. When I tell my husband something 12 times and he looks at me like this it the first time he is hearing the news, I will breathe.

This year, when things get tough, I will breathe. Simple. Before I react, before I loose it, before I raise my voice, I will breathe. In those breaths I will remind myself of what I have to be thankful for. I will remind myself that when kids act out it is because they need love, reassurance, and directions. I will remind myself that the household chores can wait (there is that grace I talked about). I will remind myself that we are all in this together. That is my strategy for patience this year.

I also intend to nurture my family connections. I plan to check-in on those I love more often. This pandemic as made the ability to connect more difficult. We have to be intentional about it. I plan to hug the people I am allowed to hug everyday. I will stop and truly listen. I will disconnect from my phone and focus. I will play the board games, watch the movies, take time for the snuggles. Life is precious and can change so quickly....those are words we have all head many times, but I think this year we have unfortunately seen proof of that close to home.

I encourage you in 2021 to make the time, send the text, make the call, have the conversation. Make sure that you tell those you love how you feel. Don't go to bed angry. Focus on your family, learn new things about them, listen to old stories, create new traditions. Connect.