Enjoying the Process

Lately I've been learning a lot about enjoying the process.  I realize that I tend to get caught up in getting to the finished product and by doing that I am missing the simple joy of being present in the moment.  Ane has been helping me with this.  I usually hate letting her "help" me make things, especially in the kitchen, especially when I'm baking.  This week I let her help me make some muffins.  She really delights in helping me.  In mixing (and getting flour all over the counter.)  When I make baking "my thing", I miss out on sharing in her joy of just being with me doing something together.  I realize that if I want her to enjoy spending time with me in a few years, when she can actually be helpful, then I need to lay that foundation now.  The muffins turned out pretty good.  We devoured the whole batch in 2 days.  So we made rice krispy treats a few days later.  And it was fun!

Today we took this new perspective to a whole new level.  My sewing machine is something that I guard.  It's not super nice or anything, but I bought it and sitting at it is one place where I feel creative.  Ane really wants to help me sew things.  So today I found ways to let her help me.  We made stuffed felt strawberries.  She was so excited about our project.  She even made up a song about me.  "Mama makes good stuff... she makes me strawberries... great things... Mama makes great things."  I could have sat up by myself tonight sewing strawberries, intent on getting them done and not enjoying the process of making them, but then I would have missed out on the joy that Ane shared with me as I shared my project with her.  I would have missed the song.  I tell my yoga students throughout every class to "Be in the moment."  After trying that out for a few days in my own home, I am learning the wisdom and joy contained in that advice.