From my flower morning (3/1/09) at Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus, Ohio
Being present is a trait I'm always cultivating.
But I'm committed to doing so — because it is through presence that I connect and appreciate the people, things and events I encounter in a deeper way.
Presence gives me access to the fullness of my life in every single moment.
For me, one of the most profound gifts of motherhood is how it calls you into the present moment.
Chidren are masters of the present. It is where children live. It is their space of rapt attention and wonder.
For me, though, the most heart-breaking and profound lesson children teach us about presence is through teaching us about impermanence: How the baby you held and rocked all day, seemingly just yesterday, now runs ahead, all lanky-legged, to get into class with her friends.
Time flies as parents, and if we're not present, the moment is lost.
We never get that precious present of that moment back.
I was so moved by this video, a collaboration between videographer Michel Sandy and the uber-talented photographer and blogger Tara Whitney. It's a record of a family photo shoot of the Falconbridge family.
I {{heart}} Emily's blog, both for her art, her kind spirit and that she is a sister Waldorf parent. (Our husbands both play guitar, too!)
For me this video is all about noticing the profoundly sacred gift that life offers each moment if we only pay attention.
If you're a sensitive type, you might want some Kleenex on hand before watching.
Falconbridge Family Film from Michel Sandy on Vimeo.