Building Pyramids

As I walked my 2nd grade son to school this morning, I felt a bit sad. Regret began to spread through my soul as I realized I hadn’t fulfilled his request to help him build the world’s biggest pyramid with legos. What an undertaking it may have been to create such a wonder with tiny pieces of brightly colored plastic. Who am I to doubt, as an adult, that he and I COULD have done just that? Okay, realistically, it could not have been the world’s BIGGEST pyramid put together before leaving for school. I could have at least dropped what I was doing (which wasn’t really that important!) to take a few minutes to PLAY. That pyramid could have been quite interesting if he and I worked enthusiastically on it for just 5 minutes. 5 minutes! I learned something valuable this morning. Just 5 minutes could have made a huge difference in both our lives-and I lost the opportunity forever.
As I walked him up to his school door, I knew he could feel my sorrow. He looked up at me with watery eyes and said “I feel like I forgot something, mom”. Inside my head a voice of disappointment whispered “No, mom-YOU forgot something!”
I have been blessed with the great privilege to have children. God loves me so much, that he trusted ME with these little spirits and bodies. I promise, from this moment on to take what I have realized this morning into my heart. I will be open to the “5 minute” opportunities that come into my life every single day. Today my perception of time has changed from: “ I ONLY have 5 minutes” to “Wow, I have 5 WHOLE minutes-let’s see what I CAN create!”
When I die, may I be without regret. May I fulfill my purpose and live to my potential-which has infinite value. All I get to take with me is my earthly experiences through my memory. It’s all up to ME to fill every single one of my 5 minute opportunities building pyramids.
Love,
Wendy

Sunflowers

Sunflowers. Who doesn’t LOVE them? Rows and hundreds of these beautiful and vibrant sunflowers greeting me as I make my jog back home. I began to notice that each and every blossom directly faces the fall morning sun as it shines over the grand mountains on the east side of my path. The bright yellow pedals are fully opened and reaching out as if they were arms anticipating the warm, loving embrace of the light. Despite the thistles, weeds and rocks surrounding these happy creatures-they never seemed to face down! A light went on inside my head at that moment! How can I become like these sunflowers?

It seems like whenever I feel sad, angry, confused or basically “stuck” in my life, I catch myself looking down at the thorny thistles and the big boulders that stand in my path. I forget to simply look UP at the sun! I use sun, in this case as symbolism for God, as he is to me. Being respectful of others beliefs-whatever “God” means to you. There is a powerful, all knowing positive energy source. If I use the simple and pure example of sunflowers, who, without “thinking” about it-endlessly seek light source. It comes natural, effortlessly to them!
May we all use the gracious and elegant sunflower as our guide! Open up your pedals. Anticipate that warm, light embrace. Expect the sunshine. You shall have it-despite your surroundings. Look UP!
Love, Wendy