One of the things I greatly admire about the team behind Simplicity Parenting (Kim, Katharine, and Davina) is their consistent practice of staying centered.  As a team, we work remotely from one another, so I don’t get to see them in the office or even often throughout the year.

Our communication is via phone and email and we had the delightful experience of gathering together in March for a team retreat.  Since working with this small group, however, I have had the bounty of witnessing their consistent practice of serenity – a spiritual quality that is rare in these stressful times.

Serenity is…

…tranquility of spirit.  It is an abiding sense of trust and faith that all is well.  In the midst of trials, we are accepting and resilient.  We go with the flow.  We practice stillness, reflection and mindfulness.  Serenity gives us lucidity of thought and allows us to detach from strong emotions that can cloud our judgment.  We do not allow worry or fear to throw us off balance.  We cultivate peaceful presence.  We are able to be the calm in the wind. ~The Virtues Project

Responding to things in the office with less emotion isn’t necessarily “easy” but I think I am better at it than I am as a parent.  So, what does it look like to be the “calm in the wind” as a mom? Whew.  It requires daily diligence – make that a minute-by-minute diligence!   How can it be that when things were “simpler” (i.e. before computers/cell phones/social media)  it was easier to be balanced?  Because we have the ability to do so many things due to the ease of technology, our lives have become fuller,  complex, and more virtual.

I see that my success as a wife, mother, and team player is tied in with my ability to handle things with serenity. Do you agree?

My goal is to implement these tools to strengthening my ability to be a more centered parent…

1. Flying Too High or Too Low. Start with acknowledging how often my emotions fly high or fly low.  Just noticing this has been fascinating.  Once I notice that I’m flying too high or too low, my goal is to bring myself back to center.  Finding ways to bring myself back to center is key.

2. Finding My Center. To bring myself back to center I’m using The Compassionate Response meditation.  This meditation is so applicable to us as parents who feel our own soul fever at the threshold and can easily find ourselves in an emotional tail spin with the pressure to keep the stuff and media at bay, the rhythm intact, and the schedule loose.

3. Scheduling Quiet Space. For me, I’m finding that going to bed at 10pm and rising at 5:45am is a way for me to make centering a more sustainable change in my life.  Rising earlier gives me quiet time to reflect, meditate, and exercise.

What is working or not working for you right now? Do you see the need to become calmer, less emotional and reactive?  What small step could you take today toward that goal?  Tell us!