Busy Mom VS Daily Grind – Day 9

New here and wondering what’s going on? Busy Mom VS Daily Grind is all about making the dedication to do something every day that will help you live a happier, more fulfilling life. I have committed to document my journey of developing the habits of living moment by moment, being grateful, and bringing self expression + creativity into every day. Read more about the challenge HERE.

As promised, I started from the beginning in my art journal today. I stuck with what I knew, what I felt comfortable with.

Messy paint!

Yesterday I was a little overzealous and had laid down some collage, ink, and some other stuff; but I didn’t like how it came out at all. So today, I kept it simple, and painted over it with some messy paint. And I am loving it! Can you see all that texture!? Its fabulous. I almost don’t want to add anything to it! lol  

But I will be brave, and try to add more to it tomorrow. 

I feel so at peace right now. Not only from the fun, relaxing time I just had slapping down some paint, but also from some inspiring words I read today. 

I have been struggling throughout this challenge to stay focused all day, and live moment by moment. Its been really tough. And its been REALLY tiring. On Day 4 I was already complaining of the exhaustion I was feeling from fighting my mind to stay focused and not wander. I was feeling beaten down. Like I had no control over my mind. Fighting it daily was wiping me out. 

Until today, when I read Babette’s post over at My Spare Time Designs where she spoke of what “staying in the moment” meant to her. (I’m referring to her June 12, 2012 post – for some reason I can’t get the permalink, sorry!).

Her words were so simple, so obvious, so truthful; but I was blind to it during my ambitious start to fighting the daily grind. (I guess I was trying to fight this battle like the rabbit was trying to win the race against the tortoise! Ha!)

I’ve been burning myself out trying to keep myself off of auto pilot all day every day, trying to stay in EVERY moment. When all that really matters is THE moment.

The key to “staying in the moment” is not to quit multi-tasking completely, or to never let your mind wander. The key is to be able to recognize the special moments, quickly snap out of auto pilot, and savor them as long as you can before they are lost.  

So even though I failed to take a single photo yet again today, I’m okay with that. 

I will continue to keep my journal and camera close by, and keep a look out for those special moments to savor; but I will not tire myself out trying to stay in EVERY moment.

Because THAT is a loosing battle.