by supertwigs | Jun 9, 2011 | Books, Environment, Goals, Nature, Parenting, Photography |
I just finished reading Richard Louv‘s The Nature Principle. I was privileged to hear him speak a few weeks ago, here in Vancouver. As I told him then, his book, Last Child in the Woods, completely changed the way I want to parent. After reading The Nature Principle, I can say, it has completely changed the way I want to live my life.
In fact, it has informed many of the sneaking suspicions that I have had for awhile now.
Suspicions like the feeling that I need to reconnect with nature. I want that for my children, and myself. Suspicions about my career path, and how I can add environmentalism / conservation / good old-fashioned love of nature to my life. The suspicion that my time spent on a small island off the coast of Vancouver was one of the most enlightening times of my life. And not just for the friendships I made. For the time spent in nature. The ocean breeze blowing off rocky cliffs; the sound of whales passing, their flukes slapping the waves; the trees, and the tall grasses. The sound of birdsong, the sightings of deer and other forest creatures. I can feel these things in my heart.
Our kids are named for the sea and the forest.
I have known about this nature connection for a long time. But I have not known exactly what to do about it. To be honest, I still don’t know. I do know, however, that my mind is whirling. Something I always consider a good thing.
For my family, I am going to join a family nature club (or start one – anyone interested?). For myself, I am going to start loving my present landscape. Exploring it with a keener eye, and photographing it with my camera. Those are two small steps. But, I have a great feeling there will be more. And I can hardly wait to find out where this will lead me.
So, shameless plug for a book that has the power to change lives and the world. It’s dense, and choc-full of information. Read it and be inspired.
by supertwigs | Jun 4, 2011 | Education, Goals, Parenting |
Found this photo from Wikipedia. Seems fitting. Doubt there will be any perfect swan dives for me either.
It is official. I have resigned. I am entering the official realm of the “professional Mom.” I hardly know what this means, but I am both excited and terrified by it.
I have known for awhile that I wanted to be a “Home Mama.” I wrestled with it after the birth of my first child, but, after my second, knew it was the right choice for me. I so want to be there for the little moments with my children (I know it’s silly, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive myself for missing my son’s first steps while I was at work). I am just so darn excited to learn, live and grow with them.
I am a professional librarian. I love my work. It is meaningful, engaging and inspiring, at the best of times. It is something that I am passionate about. And I don’t intend to let my skills and interests go idle. I am still going to find ways to gather, organize and disseminate information (all you librarians out there understand that – anyone else, trust me, the applications are endless). And, I am still going to read (a lot). Mostly, I am going to keep learning. Because that is what being a public librarian is all about, in my humble opinion: promoting, encouraging, and living lifelong learning.
So, in my new role as professional mom, I intend to continue this. I will just do it alongside my kids. I don’t know what this means, yet, exactly (homeschooler? Mompreneur? Crazy cat lady?). But, I do know that I won’t regret the time spent with my kids. Even on those days that are less than perfect (because, let’s be honest, those days outnumber the others). And even though simply going to work would be a whole lot easier (in many ways).
Do I know where my income will come from? Not precisely (although I have some ideas). Does this scare me? Absolutely. But, one thing I know, I am ready to embrace this new challenge. So, here I go, leaping in with two feet. Running, diving, and, yes, holding my breath.
by supertwigs | May 16, 2011 | Goals, Parenting |
Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement, to look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; to be spiritual is to be constantly amazed. – Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
Completely inspired by this quote today. This is the way my three-year-old looks at life. Constantly amazed by every little thing, from looking for birds at the park, to watching semi-trucks zoom past on the highway. In our best moments, both of us are proud and amazed at his little sister: when she crawls on her hands and knees, or claps her hands, or does “the spoon trick.”
“Look at you, little girl!” we both proclaim (this is particularly cute coming from the mouth of a 3-year-old).
My daughter will be one next week. And I have made the huge decision to stay home with my kids, at least for now. In part, because I don’t want to take anything for granted. Every moment is precious. And, I want to share those precious moments with them. Now. Because (ain’t it true), they grow up so fast.
Life is fleeting. We only get one. So, as I continue to try and make the most of this one, I am going to remember to be constantly amazed. Anything less is not doing justice to the incredible gift of life we have been given.
—
Where do you find constant amazement? In your family? In the woods? In your relationships?
(For another reflection on this quote, check out this post at Rebecca in the Woods)
by supertwigs | Apr 22, 2011 | Environment, Goals, Nature |
Today was Earth Day, and I spent the day outside!
I woke up with my family, and read “earthy” stories to my son. We read a book called Protect Nature, and a Spot book about going to the park. We talked about recycling, saving water and protecting animals. It was great. My son is three. I am so happy to be able to share in his ever-present love of nature. I’m sure he teaches me so much more than I teach him.
This year, for Earth Day, I thought a lot about the earth. How I care about the earth, and what that looks like in my life. I have been thinking a lot lately about consciously trying to green my life. More than I already have. Be more deliberate. Make it a priority. Sure, I buy organic. I shop local when I can. I recycle with gusto. And I am careful about what products I buy, and their impact on the earth. But, there are so many things I don’t do. So much more I could do. And not just huge things, but little things, too.
For Earth Day, I pledge to be more Earthy. Be more conscience of my ecological footprint. Be more proactive, and make better choices.
I was at the mall this week. On this particular day, I was especially struck by our consumer culture. I am always mildly struck. But, this time, it really hit home. I looked around, and truly didn’t want anything. Sure, there were a few things that would have been nice, but I didn’t feel that tug of want I sometimes get. And, I realized, I am starting to embrace thrift.
What does that mean? Embracing thrift. Well, on the one hand, maybe it means I’m poor (I wouldn’t really argue with that). But, I like to think it means that I am simplifying. Paring down, and learning to love experience, rather than excess. Learning to cherish those outside days. Playing in the park with my children. Watching my son dig in the sand. My daughter feel the sand for the first time. Feeling the breeze against our faces, and taking in the beauty of the trees and their leaves blowing in the wind.
These experiences will serve us well. We are cherishing, rather than consuming. Stopping to smell the roses growing, rather than buying them from a flower stand. Embracing thrift is about making smart consumer choices. Buying used. Or not buying at all. But, it is also about making smart choices with our time.
For Earth Day, I vow to buy less, and play more.
Image via Wikipedia
I’ve also decided to chart my journey with the earth this year, in an effort to take more conscious action. Starting with April 22nd. Stay tuned.
by supertwigs | Mar 31, 2011 | Education, Goals, Parenting, Writing |
I have started a new project. Recently, I have been doing an extensive amount of research on homeschooling, to see if it is something that I would like to do with my children. The more I read and hear, the more I like it. I am a bit of an idealist, and it sounds so wonderful to me. Taking the learning journey with my children, and helping them make the most of their lives. This, of course, can be done in a number of different ways. Homeschooling being just one of those.
Through all of this research, I have discovered a few things. There are a pile of other people out there doing the same thing. Wondering and researching the same things. And, that there is relatively (in comparison to what is available for Americans – much of which is still applicable here) little information out there specific to Canadian homeschooling parents. Less for Canadians who are considering homeschooling.
So, I have taken on a new project. I have decided to compile what I am finding into a homeschool Q&A for curious Canadian families. To save others the work of doing all of this research (which I, as a librarian, love, but others might find frustrating and tedious). Making resource guides, after all, is what librarians do.
I don’t know what the final product will look like. I am starting with the concept of a short e-book. I am looking at homeschooling from the perspective of a prospective parent to prospective families, so the end result might be a bit different from what’s already out there. Or at least, a neat and tidy starting point.
I can see the project becoming huge, but, for now, I am just working with what I already know, and what I have found. It is my way of keeping in touch with my academic roots. It feels like I am writing an academic paper all over again. Which is really exciting. (Sorry if that sounds lame to some of you).
I guess you could say I am already homeschooling my 3 year old, as he has yet to go to preschool (if at all, the jury’s still out). We do so much home learning that it’s hard to call it anything else. As I imagine most families with kids under 5 do (but that’s the topic of another post).
Any Canadians out there with ideas, thoughts or resources they love, please let me know. If you’re not Canadian, but you’re a homeschooler, your thoughts would be much appreciated as well. Or favourite blogs. Of which I am discovering new ones everyday. There are so many interesting, intelligent, inspiring homeschooling families out there.
So, another exciting venture for me. Following those whims and passions sure is keeping me busy these days.
by supertwigs | Mar 25, 2011 | Goals, Health, Parenting, Writing |
When I was a little girl, we had a picture book called Animal Tales. One of those tales was about a pig. It professed that little pigs that went to bed early, and rose early would keep their tails curly. (Looking back, it sounds like a bit of a ploy to get one’s children to sleep early. Then again, no one wants their children to rise too early, do they?)
Yep, he’s another one of those proponents of early to bed, early to rise. He has 210,000 subscribers to his blog, so maybe he’s on to something. He’s also a man with six kids, so I figure if he can do it, maybe I can too.
Maybe. Not sure it’s something I want to work on yet. But, the article tempts me with it’s promise of a glorious hour of sipping tea and reading a book, watching the sunrise.
When you think about it that way, who wouldn’t be tempted?
Hi! I’m Kelly Woods, writer, mother & librarian. I write about beauty, creativity, green living and lifestyle design to help others live a life of inspiration, too.