The past two years have been a journey. Life has shifted in every area. Reflecting on the ways I move about the world has brought me back to a simple statement I have used with my children since they were two years old. “Keep your Eyes in the direction of your Feet.”
I am not sure if I heard this saying or if it just came out of my mouth one day when they were taking their first steps. But keeping your eyes in the direction of your feet has served them well over the years. Starting when they were about 2 years old, I followed the developmental charts and looked for their independence to take hold. This was to be the beginning of free will. A time when they now had the ability to assert their own desires and move freely, and at times, quickly, into the unknown. I trusted their intentions, in fact I still trust their intentions, but I have always kept a watchful eye. The simple idea of keeping your eyes in the direction of your feet fits the bill for both of my kids.
For my daughter, I tended to say it when I noticed her focusing on something like a butterfly and not the other people on the swings in front of her. Now I use it as we are discussing her plans for the future. She has big goals, dreams and all the amazing aspirations a high school senior should have. And I want all those dreams for her, just as much as she does. But this child needs a plan. A reason. An enemy to conquer or a battle to triumph over. And to now keep her eyes in the direction of her feet means to look at where she wants to go and take the steps to get there. We discuss how she wants her life to feel and how she feels in different situations and environments. I listen to her tales of people and places she wants experience in the world and to play an important part of it. This child has always been like breathing for me. And I hope to step behind her and see where her feet take her.
Now my son is starting his first year of high school. He has always lived life like a thoroughbred horse. By definition, a thoroughbred is considered a “Hot-blooded horse that is known for their agility, speed and spirit.” (Wikipedia) If you add in a kind heart and faith filled spirit, there is the child. He has always had more strength than me. Physically, I have been outmatched. Stubbornness, checkmate. His kind heart is one of the most amazing parts of this young man. But if only, he would keep his eyes in the direction of his feet. The only time he does this is when he is in a competitive situation. He told me in kindergarten, that he loves to run because it is the only time his mind is completely empty. I still ask myself how I am going to parent this one as he grows. Where my daughter is my breath, my son is my heart. At times, his daringness stops my heart, but then I often see his kindness and I trust he will be well.
I wish you the best if you are at the start of something new for the second half of the year. Thank you for taking the time to read these words. If we meet each other, please let me know you follow the blog, and as always, let me know any questions you would like me to write about.
Until next week,
Mona
The Hopeful Hostess 