The sky's the limit

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​Today is a windy day. The sky is a bold, beautiful and bright blue with fluffy clouds. The sun is shining and it is very cold. I go out in the morning and the cold air reminds me that I am alive. I look into the sky and feel my mind opening to the possibilities of the day. I sit quietly and hold onto this feeling, the feeling of possibility, the feeling of connection. I listen to the sound of the trees blowing in the wind.

I carry this feeling with me throughout the day. The image of the sky is patterned in my brain. I see the different hues of blue, the light from the sun shining on the dogwood branches as they blow in the wind, the shadows they cast. I am reminded that I am part of something bigger.

The next time my sons argue (which seems to happen quite frequently) I draw on this feeling. I feel that expansiveness and diversity of color, shadow, light, and dark. I accept them for who they are, both their light and dark sides. When things between them cross the line I use this feeling to remind me to listen and offer empathy. I remember what they are capable of developmentally. I help them remember to listen to each other and I support them to resolve their difficulties together.  

We do this a lot and they feel heard. They know their voices matter. They usually work it out. They learn to resolve these conflicts over time. They learn to listen to each other. They learn that their needs have value. We all form these new patterns in our brains.  

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