When Kellie from Kellie Stamps ran a giveaway to win her Proud Moment wooden stamp, she asked entrants to share their proud moments.
My recent proud moment was watching my eldest (9) talk to his mate who had come over to hang out. Isaac even made a joke.
No big deal you might think. Well, it's not. Unless you are a 9 year old with Social Anxiety.
I didn't win the giveaway (darn it! lol), so I ordered my own (and the Love this Moment stamp as well...couldn't help myself)!
I started thinking about our little journey with Isaac's "shyness".
He is very quiet, reserved, and to find out how he is feeling is not always easy. I often joke that he is one of those moody and mysterious types.
Isaac would speak normally to people he was comfortable with, such as immediate family and other close family members. The minute he was put in a situation with people he was not comfortable with, he would not speak. That's when the sweaty palms and fidgeting started. That was the anxiety kicking in.
When I asked him why he didn't talk to his friends, he simply said "Because I don't want people to hear me." I understood completely because I was EXACTLY the same when I was in primary school. Thankfully, I grew out of it and it looks like Isaac is too.
These past 4 and a bit years has seen tears and frustration from him. Frustration, guilt and helplessness for us parents.
Isaac completed the BRAVE program run by the University of Qld and Griffith University last year which taught him practical strategies to assist in overcoming his anxiety.
We have seen amazing changes, such as:
- he uses his words when mates come over;
- he responds to adults who speak to him without pausing;
- he participates in conversations with children his own age even if he doesn't know them;
- he talks to his friends at school;
- he is relaxed and can be himself with his mates;
- he openly tells us what is happening at school.
He is never going to be the loudest kid in the class, but hearing him use his words, even if it's quietly is a massive achievement.
I started to wonder if his quietness was affecting his written expression abilities. It's not that he doesn't write well, he's just not that big on detail or adjectives.
I bought him a journal, and at least once a week, I give him a topic to write about. Anything from Skylanders, to Halloween, to why he hates being late for school (happens most mornings).
Although he whinges and complains that it's boring and he would rather be playing games, once he gets into it, he does really well.
I absolutely LOVE reading his journal and most of the time, we read it together.
My favourite part of reading his entries is the amazing insight into what is going on in his head. It allows me to understand him even more. I love that.
Being aware of his thoughts and feelings, and having the ability to express them in words will be an invaluable life skill for him. Train them young, I say!
This journal is going to be such a treasure. For him and for me.
GRATITUDE (noun) The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation and to return kindness.
I am a big fan of gratitude. I think that if there was more gratitude in today's busy and often impatient society, there would be less road rage and less people would be clipped in the heels by shopping trolleys.
Finding small blessings in our everyday lives can help slowly pull us out of the depths of sadness and reignite our zest for life.
Have a look at this video about a book called 365 Gratefuls and be inspired!
365grateful.com from hailey bartholomew on Vimeo.
BRINGING GRATITUDE INTO OUR EVERYDAY:
Gratitude eventually becomes second nature. Like anything else, it takes practice. And like I tell my boys, the more you practice, the easier it gets.
I still get overwhelmed, but I am learning to see everyday moments for what it is, and with a positive spin. This can be very liberating and for want of a better word, a relief as we learn to simply LET GO and appreciate.
Here are some examples of what I mean:
EXAMPLE 1: You get stuck in a traffic jam, bumper to bumper driving home from work.
OPTION A: Get cranky and frustrated that you are wasting time sitting in traffic.
OPTION B: Make the most of the situation, crank up your radio and sing your heart out (maybe wind up the windows first if you are shy). Or just sit and BREATHE. Appreciate your little bit of down time.
EXAMPLE 2: You are bursting to finish a crafting project Saturday afternoon but the kiddies want to watch a movie with you.
OPTION A: Tell them you have a project to finish and to watch it on their own.
OPTION B: Be thankful your kiddies love spending time with you and enjoy the moment of togetherness with them. Snuggle up and enjoy.
EXAMPLE 3: It's Saturday morning and you have the entire week's washing to hang out on the line.
OPTION A: Grumble to yourself that the washing is never ending and what a nuisance it is to do this every weekend.
OPTION B: As you take your washing outside, enjoy the sunshine and admire what a beautiful day it is. And how awesome is it that sunshine is nature's best sanitiser so your clothes will be extra clean, not to mention doing the environment a huge favour by avoiding the dryer.
GRATITUDE AND PROJECT LIFE:
I was inspired by the video clip and considered doing a photo gratitude journal for 365 days.
So I started to plan how this project would fit into what I am currently doing in terms of Project Life. Then it hit me. Project Life is my take on 365 Gratefuls!
I am already recording everyday moments with photos and journalling. I may not take a photo every day, but the things I do photograph and record helps me celebrate all the things that I am blessed with.
Project Life also offers us the the opportunity to reflect, find the positives, and give thanks for things such as:
- the life of a loved one;
- a precious moment shared;
- an obstacle overcome;
- a personal achievement succeeded;
- the beauty of the natural world around us; or
- a life lesson learnt.
I am sure there are more we can add to the list. What's on your gratitude list?
If you have read this far, THANK YOU! I hope you have been inspired to continue finding more blessings in your life every day xx
