Finding Peace in Imperfect Moments
As a mother of two young children, I often find it challenging to carve out time for the self-care I envision. Right now, as I write this, it is 3:53 a.m. I am gently rocking my four-month-old in the bouncer with my foot. He woke up not long ago, flashing that smile and babble that seems to say, “Yep, I’m not going back to sleep.” So, I shook off my dreamy state, and rather than struggle against the moment, I decided to go with the flow, make myself a cup of tea, and take the time to write.
So often, we wait for the ‘perfect conditions’ to practise self-care, meditation, or embodiment exercises. We think it must be silent for meditation to work, or that we need to be completely alone to move mindfully. Over the years, my children have taught me the opposite. The truth is, there is never a ‘perfect time.’ The external world rarely, if ever, matches our internal expectations or imaginings. Instead of fighting against this reality, I’ve realised we can embrace and incorporate it into our practice.
Embracing What Is
Have you ever sat down to meditate, only to find your mind quickly distracted by how loud, bright, hot, or uncomfortable your environment feels? It’s tempting to give up and decide to wait for the ‘perfect conditions.’ But what if, instead, you practised being with exactly what is?
If you’re in a noisy place, use the noise as a focus and slip into a listening meditation. Notice how each sound arises and then fades, moment by moment. If you’re attempting an embodiment practice while children are crawling and rolling all over you (as I often am), why not find a way to include them? Get creative and let them become part of your flow.
Living Fully in the Moment
This approach is excellent preparation for daily life. Nothing is ever exactly as we imagine or want it to be. The greater the gap between reality and our expectations, the greater the potential for dissatisfaction, irritation, and disappointment.
When we surrender to what is, we open ourselves to a space of peace, joy, pleasure, and even expansion. Life becomes less about fighting against the tide and more about moving with it.
An Invitation to Surrender
I invite you to take a moment to reflect on the circumstances in your life, both minor and major, that create dissatisfaction. Ask yourself: How can I, when it feels safe, surrender more fully to the reality of what is? How might that surrender bring more peace into my life?
You may find that these imperfect moments hold the seeds of something far more profound: a deeper connection to yourself, your surroundings, and the people you love.
Comments