with a little fruit for dinner as they are with a gourmet meal. Their eyes
don’t search for things to attach to, but for things to let go of. Instead of
imposing their will on life, they flow with the stream. Life is seen as a
partnership in which the external world enriches the inner life, and vice
versa.THE MOMENT IS NOW
Our children won’t stay around us forever but will soon move on to their
own lives. It’s during the few short years we have them to ourselves that
we can help them awaken to the fullness within them, because it’s into
this inner cup that they will dip when they are alone at college and under
pressure, in a relationship and struggling with intimacy, or in a financial
crunch and anxious. To prepare them for this, their spirit needs to be
nourished on a daily basis.
Many of us look to when we are out to dinner at a restaurant or on
vacation together to connect, but it’s in the ordinary moments— giving a
bath, seated at the dining table, waiting for a bus, driving in the car,
standing in line—that emotional connectivity best flourishes. Unless we
understand the potential for connection in each moment of each day, we
will miss countless wonderful windows of opportunity for interaction
with our children.
When your children speak to you, it’s helpful if possible to set aside
anything you are doing and give them your full attention, looking them
in the eyes. In the mornings, it’s important to greet your children and
engage them for at least a few minutes before the rush of the day takes
over. When rushing to get ready to leave the house, you can engage them