The Journey to Revive the Mind, Body, and Soul of our Family

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Have you ever just felt like you've gotten off track?  That you've gotten lost amongst the things that shouldn't matter so much?  Sometimes I feel like my life is a total blur.  The days goes by so fast and the moments pass by so quickly that before you know it, you've gotten lost in the shuffle. Over the past couple of weeks, I've had a couple of "a-ha" moments that have led me down the path for a little self-discovery and self improvement.  My focus for this journey is not only on me, but also on my family. 

The first "a-ha" moment I had was when I was discussing a trip that I took with my grandfather about 10 years ago.  My grandfather, sadly, just passed away last month.  During one of my spring breaks in college, I traveled with him to Miami Beach to visit my aunt.  This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me because we didn't often go on such a long trip, just the two of us.  Flying is something that I try to avoid whenever possible and most of our family vacations had been relatively close.  However, when I was talking about this trip with my mother, I couldn't remember a single moment.  I don't remember where we went.  What we saw.  How much fun we had.  I have no pictures.  No memories of a trip that I took with my grandfather.  It broke my heart.  How could I have gone on such a special vacation with him, spent all of this one-on-one time with this special man, and not have one picture or memory to share? Where did that time go?

This beautiful sunrise was taken during another family trip at the beach.

Another "a-ha" moment wasn't exactly a precise moment, but a sort of realization. I love blogging.  I enjoy swimming through the sea of amazing ideas that these Mamas come up with every day.  There are so many heartfelt posts that help you strive to become a better (and more fun!) mom.  I am so grateful to be a part of this blogging community and learn from these lovely ladies and their children.  I try to wake up a bit early before my son and see what has transpired overnight.  When Daddy comes home, I work on my post and then search through the pins and shares on Facebook.  I hate to admit this, but I get a little wrapped up in the world of ideas. At the expense of my family.  Most evenings go by and I look at the clock and it's 11:00 p.m..  It also tends to happen on the weekend. How could I have been on the computer for 3-4 hours? How could I have let that precious family time slip through my fingers? Here I am, a SAHM, and I rarely have dinner started.  I don't just sit with my husband and talk about what has gone on during the day.  I haven't picked up a book in a very long time...and reading is one of my great passions in life.  What am I doing? 

So, I've come to a decision.  I've decided to become someone who embraces life, instead of letting it pass me by.  I've decided to make it a priority to record, discuss, and be fully present during those moments (big and little) that we share as a family.   I don't want to just be creating these glorious memories as my son grows up, I want to relish in them.  Remember them. Talk about them. Revisit them.  

How does one go about doing this? How do you slow down the days so that they don't pass you by like you're fast forwarding at warp speed?  In what ways can your create lasting memories so that you're not sitting there, 10 years later searching through thoughts, trying to come up with one tiny shred of evidence that you experienced something as special as a relaxing week away with someone you care about?  I've come to the conclusion that it not only starts with yourself, but it also branches out to include the support and participation of your family.  This journey is not only going to be about me working on ways to improve my life, but ultimately my family's life as well.  This awakening will start at home by focusing on three elements that are always connected.  It will begin with finding ways to revive the MIND ~ BODY ~ SOUL as a family.    

How else can you begin to make such a life-altering change with these three elements, other than going to the experts - those that have already began the transformation with their families.  I have been following so many inspirational blogs (yes, I know...but these give me guidance!) and have been looking to find some ideas that will work for my family. How do others revive the mind, body, and soul with their own children? These blogs with their amazing ideas, have given me a jumping off point.  They have guided me to begin my journey by giving me the push I needed.  Here are a few that have touched my heart and helped me look forward to better days.

~ Awesomely Awake - This Mindful Mama's mission is to "encourage and inspire parents to join her Awake journey and show undivided attention to those they love, the dreams they aspire to achieve and this lovely one chance we get at life." Oh, she has... she definitely has.

~ Finding Joy - This wonderful lady created a blog "dedicated to seeking joy in life, specifically in motherhood. Intentional living, if you may." She has a series of challenges called 10 Days of Intentional Parenting.  I have recently begun to journal about these 10 activities and look forward to sharing ways that it has inspired me.

~ 52 Brand New -  The lovely mother that started this blog is one of the few that has kept a New Year's resolution for longer than a month.  She resolved to try 52 new experiences over a year!  Now that that year has come and gone, she's trying it out with her kids!  She explains that "the purpose of this blog is not only to share our new experiences but to inspire others to get out of their comfort zone and try something new each week." I think that trying out new experiences (whether small or big) is a great way to make the memories with your family special.   

and finally,

~ Mama Scout - viewing her blog as a "virtual mama scout meeting," she takes time to help others celebrate the victories that they've achieved along the road to motherhood with her  Mama Merit Badges.  What caught my eye recently on her blog was her Monday Missions.  They are simple ways to help add magic to your week - and magic is what we need!


So now that I have found these lovely ladies to help give me that extra push I need to begin my journey, all that's left to do is start!  I am looking forward to finding ways to revive the mind, body, and soul of my family. To experiencing the simple moments purely, without the distractions of life getting in the way.  Of course I plan to continue blogging as well as following along with the supportive community that I became a part of, but in a more relaxed fashion.  There is so much to let go of and, now, so much to embrace.  Even if there is no one out there that wishes to follow my journey, this serves as a reminder (an online contract, if you will) that will keep me accountable to myself and my family.  And now my journey begins...


If you would like to follow along with my journey, please stop by Connecting Family and Seoul's Facebook page and "like" us to get updates and new ideas that come our way.