If you have not already realised, my nephew is quite an inspiration to me. I probably can start a series of post just on that. Jokes aside, I'm amazed how much I actually gained by being with him or watching him.
Last weekend, I promised him that I will be fetching him on Wednesday, so I did. I've learnt never to break promises to kids. It scars them. Well. Some.
So I fetched him and then he "pick" me to shower him. Yes, he picked me as I face palmed in my virtual world. My dad wanted to, but he went "I want marmie". So, I did.
And seriously, kids have no freaking sense of urgency. Especially my nephew, in my opinion. Sometimes just by watching him stroll out from his class to the shoes area and to wearing his shoes makes me roll my eyes. It felt like my legs are going to hurt from standing outside his school.
Okay, right.. shower. As I shower him, he was holding this sponge and drawing on the window. After we are done, he still refuses to go out. That few minutes felt like eternity as I watch him just draw with water on the window. I swear its less than 5 minutes, but it felt crazily long.
But suddenly, I felt the water flowing pass my feet. And then I started to shift my feet and feel the water. Wow. Now this is fun for me. Just as I realised my kind of fun, he is done and we headed out.
I forgot totally about the "fun" I had, until halfway through feeding him dinner.
Here we go again.
His drawing of different fruits and their seeds are definitely more important than dinner. His questions of how does this fruit/seed look like or how to spell "cocoa" is definitely more important than dinner.
I was rolling my eyes when I notice the beautiful sky. We were at the porch and the weather was awesome. Then I look down and saw this beautiful back view of a boy fully present in the moment.
So, I took out my phone and snap this picture (Haha. No idea why at that moment. But now I know its for this post)…….
.. before my mindfulness practice begin!
I started to be mindful of..
.. the sensation on my feet against my slippers, then my slippers sliding across the floor
.. every spoonful of food. The movement of my hands as I stretch out to feed him
.. the birds that flew by
.. the energy of full concentration from my nephew
.. the lines and shapes he drawing
.. his body leaning on mine
.. the sound of the vehicle that drove by
.. the sticky sensation of the rice on my hand
.. the noise from the television
.. my own voice telling my nephew what I am feeding him
.. my hair in my face
……………………………………..
"MARMIE, I'M DONE"
Ta-dah. I was hit back to reality. Okay, wash plate. Check phone. Reply message.
That was how sad it is. But I learnt that I can always choose to practice mindfulness when with him instead of feeling impatient how this siao ginna (hokkien term for crazy child) always takes FOREVER for everything.
Today, I fetched him again and I practiced mindfulness while "waiting" for him, to wear shoes, to shower, to finish dinner and while playing Lego. #MissionAccomplished
Whoever said meditation or mindfulness is hard and time consuming? I'm challenging you.
Whoever wanted to start meditation but is afraid? Here's the tip: Find a moment to just be aware and mindful. That is a great start!
And I also hereby wishes all parents a "smooth journey" as you bring your child up. May peace and mindfulness be with you always!