I read about an artist who teaches art appreciation by asking students to engage a piece with this mentality:
If I liked something about this, what would I like?
I'm trying to ask myself this question - about anything at all. Immediately, it shifts my focus.
If I liked something about this, I'd like that my son can think outside of the box and discover creative uses for Vaseline.
If I liked something about this, I'd like that my son is supersocial and makes friends easily while his teacher is talking.
If I liked something about this, I'd like that my child is an independent thinker and does not respond blindly to authority.
If I liked something about this, I'd like the grey of the day.
If I liked something about being a widow, I'd like that I appreciate my husband more than ever before, and somehow I know him better than when I sat across the dinner table from him every night.
If I liked something about this, I would like this holy courtship with a very patient, listening, gentle, persistent and poetic carpenter from Nazareth. Not in the weird "Jesus is my boyfriend" way, but in the sacred conversations recorded on my iPod and the pages of my journal.
If I liked something about this, I'd like who I have become.
Love this idea. I especially resonate with the last line.
Beautifully said! I feel like I know my husband better now than when he was here, too. And if I'm brutally honest...here's another thought that only another widow would understand: If I liked something about being a widow, it would be double the closet space. 🙂
Thanks for the fresh perspective. Hugs!
🙂
Lovely piece, Tricia. A fresh perspective to look at life from. Thanks for sharing this.
What an interesting way to look at our problems and predicaments! Thanks for sharing this witty/insightful piece.
That's beautiful Tricia!
I thought of you today. I spent a busy day with 2 boys, two and four years old. It wasn't a bad day, but I'm exhausted. (For those that don't know me, I was babysitting.) About 2:00 pm after a morning at the library, ice cream and then the park; I was suddenly wanting a diet Pepsi. 🙂
By the way, smelling little hands as they come out of the bathroom for the washing check is truly brillant. Learned that from you!
Thanks my friend!
Dear Christine- what a gem you are for relieving some mom of her two precious little ones for a few hours. Just a word of warning though, that smell check is brilliant- until one day it isn't. Watch it with that one.
Another comment on the smell test - pretending you simply want to kiss their hands and smelling while you're there is even better!
Amen!!!
Love this. Thank you.