Lessons from a water bottle
“You would go back for your stuff.”
I was stopped in my tracks at the double standard of thought I was caught in.
My daughter realized half way home from dance that she forgot her water bottle. My son added some fuel to the fire, telling her how tempting her very cool water bottle (because it’s covered in Pokemon stickers) would be to her fellow dancers.
While we agreed that it would probably end up in lost and found and could be picked up later, she still really wanted to go back for it. I did not.
Logic said it made no sense to drive back and spend an extra 30 minutes of our evening driving for a water bottle. But my daughter had made a point that tugged at my heart. I would’ve gone back for something important to me.
Our choices aren’t really made from our heads, they’re made from our hearts when we create the space for them. Prioritization is based on what we value.
What we have “time” for changes depending on its perceived value.
Taking my mother to the airport is not convenient but it’s my great pleasure to spend extra time with her and send her off with love and hugs. My husband has driven out to the suburbs to get our kids bookshelves which could’ve been delivered. I’ve gone to three stores to find the biking gear my husband wanted.
It can be hard to do things we don’t believe have much value (like our children’s water bottles). We also all have things we will go out of our way for because it makes sense to us. Logic is steeped in a belief that has an emotion attached to it. Sometimes it’s a belief that we’ve been taught to accept.
When we listen to other people and hear their needs, they won’t always make sense to us. We focus a lot on efficiency and productivity and what makes ‘sense’. But the truth is, most of the decisions we make, whether we realize it or not, are based on how we feel. And allowing ourselves to make decisions from this place is where we most often make decisions that make us feel good because they align with what’s really important to us. Connection. Love. Joy.
Emotions are information and this doesn’t mean that you have to let your emotions make all your decisions. It simply means that how you feel counts for something even if it’s not what someone else would do or what’s logical.
It means that it’s okay to take the scenic route over the direct route. It’s okay to pack more than you need for vacation. It’s okay to save your sanity and eat out after a long day even though you have a fridge full of groceries. What do you need? And how can you give yourself permission to let your heart lead you to making the choices that are effective at reaching your ultimate goal of happiness?
I’m here to support you in doing what it takes to feel good - to thrive. And that means aligned decisions - decisions where our minds and hearts agree are when we experience a life of fulfillment, peace, joy, health, and happiness.
Sending all my love and gratitude xx
