I think if there were one driving energy I've had since becoming a parent, it's been a search for rhythm. Rhythm in our yearly, seasonal and daily lives. Rhythm in our home and in our hearts. Sometimes - when we're struggling to find our groove - this challenge is more present in my mind. Then at other times - I don't even think about it until I realize we *are* in rhythm, and it feels just right. I don't mean rigidity or a schedule, but a flow and rhythm. You know that feeling - whether you have children or not - the feeling when your day has a natural flow, when there's a comforting inner awareness of 'what comes next,' and when there are moments of peace and quiet, activity and noise,a bit of both the inside and the outside world - everything we need. In my parenting heart, I believe this rhythm is the strong, core, nurturing base from which we're all able to grow and flourish safely from.
Anytime there's a big change - a babe is born, the season changes, a developmental leap is taken, or, a manuscript is complete - things get a bit jumbled up in the rhythm, which is all okay, too, of course. But it feels so good to get back. We're getting 'back' right now. Figuring out ways to make sure everyone's mind-body-soul needs are met (as well as they can be with one mama and three babes during the day), that there are moments of peace and quiet for everyone, as well as moments of noise and joy, plenty of feasting, and being 'out' in the beautiful fall around us each and every day. I'm finding myself doing what I do when searching for rhythm - thinking often about the things that aren't working, and trying to find ways to include more of those things that are. I hold onto the little snippets of our day that feel just right - Steve taking the kids for a walk in the woods when he gets home from work while I have a few moments to tidy, and breathe; and then meeting them for the end of a family walk before heading home where we'll begin the next piece of our day. That feels right. Let's do that again tomorrow. The rhythm begins.
