Too busy to create memories?

An article in our local rag interested me this morning. It was about a UN study which argues that we are giving our children too many toys to compensate for not spending time with them, because 'we are too busy.'

The most disturbing part about it, was that the children when asked what they wanted most, replied 'more family time.' Our children it would appear 'get' it while we adults appear to have 'lost the plot' at least that is what the article suggested.

And as always when I read something interesting, I start applying it to my world and that of my coachees, so out of interest what do we think about the following questions.

1) How many 'toys' (and not just children's toys here) do you have in your home now compared to the home you grew up in, and did you as a child feel deprived?
2) How many 'activities' or 'adventures' have you been on in the last month? (don't include organised regular activities)
3) When you were growing up what did you enjoy doing the most- what are your favourite memories? (Did they involve an object, ie a toy or a free activity or adventure?)
4) What would you like your children/ families memories to be about 2011?
5) Are you making that happen?

If like the 5 other people I have asked this morning your answers were:

1) A lot more and no.

2) Not very many.

3) Picnics, park, beach, bike rides etc- all adventure based.

4) Like the ones I had.

5) Mmmmmm not really.

If they mirror the above it might be time to start rethinking, the weekend is not very far away. It might be just the opportunity to ask your children/ family members to create a memory with you.

Have fun.

Comments

Kindness, a simple word with a powerful reach

When was the last time you were intentionally or unintentionally kind to someone else? Is there a 'type' of kindness you demonstrate regularly? To a particular type of person. Is it time to expand your repertoire? Kindness is contagious, essential for genuine human interactions and good for both parties. 'Random Acts of Kindness Org' posit being kind is linked to a decrease in stress, anxiety, depression and even blood pressure (see there website below). So not only does it help someone else but it is also good for us. So if you are up for a challenge you could try embedding the practice of kindness into your everyday. There are many resources for home, schools and businesses in the links below. And don't forget to be kind to yourself! https://kindness.org/ https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/

The here and now, living in it

I am currently reading a book about presence... being present in the here and now and transcending our physical being into our spiritual being through retreats and other such malarky! What a waste of paper, I feel guilty about the tree which created this book! Unfortunately (or fortunately) most of us cannot afford the time and or cash to head out on a month long retreat to find our inner selves and to be honest the experience may fill our souls with wonder but it is short lived when we return to our here and now and our general lives. It is more important to find 'presence' in our existing lives, our realities rather than head off into the ether to discover it. If you suffer from living in the future, constantly striving, making no time for yourself in the now, please consider the following time effective but real ways to wake up to the now. Sit for 2 mins and focus on your breathing or your heart rate- nothing else- and if thoughts come into your head tell them yo...

What 10 things do you do well?

We are generally very good at knowing what we need to do better but very very bad at being able to say we do something well. "I should do more exercise." "I could communicate more." "I need to get better at time management." "I should work on my presentation skills." "I need/ should (add your own in here!!!) It is time to put a different perspective on it. After all you didn't get to the ripe old age of (add here whatever age you feel like being), without managing to do some things well, the tricky part is being able to articulate what they are. So grab that coffee, find somewhere quiet and write down/think of 10 things you do well, just 10. Oh and fight the temptation to be glib, so 'I am good at being on facebook' doesn't count, but 'I am good at keeping in touch with people' does! The reality is that remembering and stating what we are good at is much harder than it sounds. We spend most of our time in the ...

From Clutter to Clarity

Search This Blog