Ok, this is on the level of a mother bird throwing her fledging out of the nest and my son is now in his 30s so here goes….
When my son was in 8th or 9th grade we were fishing in a small boat out on a Canadian lake as a family. My hubby had just bought me a new closed face reel…which to fisherman is an embarrassment… none the less I learned on a close faced reel and it is my comfort zone.
So my hubby put it on my rod and away we go.
On one of my casts, the reel went flying off into the lake; it was very clear lake and I could see it shining down about 12 feet or so.
I began to strip to my undies when my hubby said – WHAT ARE YOU DOING –
I said – getting my new reel.
He said no way (as there were other boats around – not close but around)
So I decided my son could swim down to get it – to which I got an incredulous look. But he did strip to his skivvies and dove in.
He came up to the side of the boat and said its too deep I can’t get it.
To which the story goes, I placed my foot on his head, said…”you run cross country – you have enough breath go get my new reel”… and then proceeded to push him back into the water.
Well he dives down and then comes up like the lady of the lake holding Excalibur with the reel in his hand, breaking the surface 1st.
He gained a lot of confidence that day – I got my reel back, and my hubby just shook his head…and then confessed it was a 2nd-hand refurbished reel –
After a moment, we all broke out laughing as my son climbed back into the boat.
The story has been told to all family members who also find it funny, and very Cathie-like.
I hope you find it a bit amusing too –

In the AM my study group had my wholehearted attention for about an hour. My yoga practice most always gets my whole-hearted attention. And part of the day my 90 year old mother had my full attention. Spending time with her, listening to her, making dinner with her and eating with her.
And my hubby got about 30 min. as we shared a drink on our swing.
The rest of the day I was probably multi-tasking and not fully present to the moment with any one activity or person.
As I reflect, I would like my entire day to be totally present with my full attention to whatever I am doing – so I journey forward toward another day and another chance to be fully present to each moment:)

Life in general has surpassed my expectations – as a child I was small and a late bloomer add this to family addiction issues and let’s just say life was tough and I had to get tough to survive.
Then as a young adult my path began to get smoother, only for me to have mysterious health, pregnancy and pain issues – – well at 30 I thought this is it I will be like this the rest of my life. Childless and unable to move much if any at all!
But then I was gifted with Tai chi, meditation through contemplative prayer, good doctors AND had a child and my life turned around!
You just never know what to expect if you remain hopeful, grateful, and keep trying.
At times I am so thankful for minor issues because that means I am functioning – LIVING!!!
When I take the time to look back I realize I had never expected the life I am living – it has surpassed any hope I held during my dark times.

Always – Always, have I found that when we give – time, talent, or treasure – we have had unexpected returns or enrichment!
*Inviting folks we don’t know to a holiday dinner wasn’t awkward but became a wonderful evening of sharing.
*tutoring reading as a volunteer is amazingly gratifying
* offering time and treasure to causes we believe in allows us to not only support those causes, but getting to know the folks is rewarding personally
* when in a new city, volunteering my time has helped me meet new friends
There is always some return or enrichment to self when one gives. You only need look.

In the past several years, one of my evolving values has been to try to leave a smaller footprint – to take care of our earth.
Though never seeing it as a value when I was younger the concern has moved more and more into my consciousness.
That being said, I don’t feel I am doing enough. I need a shift for better execution!
This question made me realize that I do not have a plan to move the value from thought to reality.
So for greater alignment, I need a plan vs. just saying and doing things on the fly…like…I will buy less in plastic etc.
Step 1 – realize and write down all the things I can do to better care for our earth! (this today:)
Step 2 – determine how I can achieve these intentions
Step 3 – execute and pivot where needed
Step 4 – forgive myself when I fall short and start again