Life isn't about getting to the destination

--it's about the journey. So don't think that you have to rush to get to the destination. The destination isn't important; the journey is the important part, what you take time for, what you learn and experience along the way. The journey is also where you find Me and where you learn about Me. That's what life is about, and if you don't take the time to get to know Me, then you will miss the meaning of the whole trip.

21.7.09

Nuturing vs sheltering

I wrote this while pregnant with Miss #2 -and over 4 years later my opinion hasn't changed:

When my children are of age, they too will have to make the choice as to what kind of life they want to lead, and whatever their choice I will be there to support them and love them for it. They will have to make their own decisions, but I will know that I will have given them the best opportunities and experience to help them make an educated decision.


I'm happy to see that TFI's official stance is being spelt out clearly on the topic of children's education and child rearing. It's about time. :)

9.7.09

Pregnant and bicycling

Cycling is commonplace here in Japan. Everyone does it; kids, grannies, grandpas, buisnessmen in expensive suits, woman, fashionable young people, housewives, teenagers... it's a part of everyday life, cheap and practical.

It came as a surprise to me that several of my Japanese acquaintances have expressed alarm at the discovery that I bicycle while pregnant.
I didn't think anything was out of the ordinary, although I have yet to notice a Japanese woman on a bicycle while pregnant, I'm no extreme cyclist. I cycle to the local shops & parks on a footpath or side of the road a few times a week tops and with my 2 yr old in the child seat on the back of the bike 3/4 of the time. I'm pretty clumsy and have bad balance at the best of times, but I reckon I'm doing pretty good -no accidents or scrapes yet- and it's actually easier to cycle with Miss #3 behind me; smoother ride, better balance. :) I can't ride up hill at all and happily get off and walk my bike uphill whenever I encounter one. Yesterday I noticed our 80-something-year-old neighbour doing the same. Ha ha!

After a few hours of listening to Miss #1's classmates mothers express alarm and concern about cycling while pregnant I decided to look it up and see what all the fuss is about.

Here's what I found:

Bicycle Victoria info

Notice board with good suggestions


So if you're worried about bicycling while pregnant, you don't have to! Just follow these common sense tips and you should be fine:
Stay within your comfort zone
Carry a bottle of water
Don't ride uphill (unless you're a hardcore cyclist)
Drive safely
Running shoes are best (no high heels)
Don't ride on the road
Sit up straight & relax.

4.7.09

All in a days work...

Parenting... ahh, I love it. How else can you find humor in or experience these things?:


Watch the pleasure and surprise unfold simultaneously on your young childs face when a perfect stranger hands them a small gift.


Catch a 7-inch stool with your bare hand in the nick of time. Calmly wrap it in a tissue whilst guiding your stunned little one to the approprate place to excrete such things and directing the older ones to pick their jaws off the floor and continue with their chores . The carpet is SAFE! It could be worse.


Name the pigeon who built a nest in the tree at our gate. We get to watch her raise her babies. :)


Celebrate the newfound fearlessness of a 6 yr old who discovers that grasshoppers and dragonflies are harmless and easy to catch. (We're still waiting for her sisters to catch on)


Read the same story several days in a row, no less than 3 times a day until your 4 yr old has it memorised and "reads" (quotes it) to daddy upon his return. Realise that it has sparked an interest in drawing other things besides "puffy-dressed-princesses".


Enjoy the summer rain and notice that whoever passes by breaks into a grin as they watch your children play in the puddles as only children can.


Turn to see your child who was beside you a second ago stumble and fall on a downwards escalator then try to CRAWL back up it fingers just millimeters away from the comb; frantically hoist your other child onto your hip and struggle to climb back up the escalator to help your fallen child. Just when you realise you're not going to make it an angel (in the form of a large man with a shaved head, arrayed in t-shirt & shorts) suddenly appears from above, picks her up and carry's her down to you. You exhale and know that God answers prayers in an instant, even if all you had time to beam up was "Give me the strength".


Stare in wonder at the beauty and peace of a sleeping child and in that moment remember why you do this.

I stumbled upon this post today. It's amazing how reading about others difficulties and struggles can help you put your life in perspective. One can't help but admire their outlook.

 
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