"Breakdowns can create breakthroughs. Things fall apart so things can fall together." - Unknown
It was a beautiful day and my family and I were on our way to the Williamsburg Pier for a Kid's Festival! My husband and I had seen it advertised in the Time Out Magazine, so we decided to venture out for some good old family fun. "This festival is going to be a happening!" I exclaimed as my son eagerly awaited the details. "There's rides, cotton candy, really cool kid's bands and you can see the New York City skyline from there!" As we parked the car, my family and I were practically tripping over ourselves to get out. Today was going to be a day to remember.
Then we got to the Pier..........."I don't hear music Mommy," my son said........"And I don't see kids," he quickly added. I retorted with a deflated and confused, "That's so weird." There we were at the Williamsburg Pier in Brooklyn with no rides, no cotton candy and more importantly, no music. I couldn't believe it! I had talked this thing up and now we were looking at the skyline (which was beautiful by the way) with a sea gull and a guy selling water. No. This was not happening. No way! I was not going to give up! I was getting that good old family fun no matter what!
We asked around, but only got a vague, "Oh yeah. I think that's supposed to happen." and a confused "The Pier?" So my anxiety started to build. As I desperately searched for something beyond my control, I felt myself getting down right grumpy. And that's when I noticed my son eating cherries with my husband. He was pretending to fly like an airplane, as my baby girl giggled her little heart out. Ok. Pause. My family was not phased at all by the missing festival. Why was I the only one holding on? Weren't they interested in good old family fun? Weren't they let down too?
But as I watched my son fly, my daughter giggle and my husband try to find the best place to eat, (he does that) I let out a breath. And with that release, I let go. See, I was holding on to an idea. The idea that this day would be exactly what I had so excitedly described to my son in the car. A day without appointments, work, family obligations, school and laundry. A good old family fun day chock-full of family connection. Yet, as I held on to the day, I became the only one not connecting. I was holding on to a vision and missing what was right in front of me.
And how many of us do that every single day. We think about where we want to be, but never enjoy where we are 'being' now. We look to the future desperately searching for the missing piece. What we don't realize, is that half the time the missing piece, is already there. So when you throw your noodles this week, set your goals and look to the future, but also remember to let go. If it doesn't work out exactly as planned, maybe there's a reason. Maybe the right plan is happening NOW. Maybe your missing piece is right in front of you.
We eventually stumbled upon the festival and unfortunately, it got rained out. But we didn't care. We ran in the rain, we became super fast airplanes, we giggled and more importantly, we ate great Polish food. I'd say, I got exactly what I wanted..... some good old family fun.
It was a beautiful day and my family and I were on our way to the Williamsburg Pier for a Kid's Festival! My husband and I had seen it advertised in the Time Out Magazine, so we decided to venture out for some good old family fun. "This festival is going to be a happening!" I exclaimed as my son eagerly awaited the details. "There's rides, cotton candy, really cool kid's bands and you can see the New York City skyline from there!" As we parked the car, my family and I were practically tripping over ourselves to get out. Today was going to be a day to remember.
Then we got to the Pier..........."I don't hear music Mommy," my son said........"And I don't see kids," he quickly added. I retorted with a deflated and confused, "That's so weird." There we were at the Williamsburg Pier in Brooklyn with no rides, no cotton candy and more importantly, no music. I couldn't believe it! I had talked this thing up and now we were looking at the skyline (which was beautiful by the way) with a sea gull and a guy selling water. No. This was not happening. No way! I was not going to give up! I was getting that good old family fun no matter what!
We asked around, but only got a vague, "Oh yeah. I think that's supposed to happen." and a confused "The Pier?" So my anxiety started to build. As I desperately searched for something beyond my control, I felt myself getting down right grumpy. And that's when I noticed my son eating cherries with my husband. He was pretending to fly like an airplane, as my baby girl giggled her little heart out. Ok. Pause. My family was not phased at all by the missing festival. Why was I the only one holding on? Weren't they interested in good old family fun? Weren't they let down too?
But as I watched my son fly, my daughter giggle and my husband try to find the best place to eat, (he does that) I let out a breath. And with that release, I let go. See, I was holding on to an idea. The idea that this day would be exactly what I had so excitedly described to my son in the car. A day without appointments, work, family obligations, school and laundry. A good old family fun day chock-full of family connection. Yet, as I held on to the day, I became the only one not connecting. I was holding on to a vision and missing what was right in front of me.
And how many of us do that every single day. We think about where we want to be, but never enjoy where we are 'being' now. We look to the future desperately searching for the missing piece. What we don't realize, is that half the time the missing piece, is already there. So when you throw your noodles this week, set your goals and look to the future, but also remember to let go. If it doesn't work out exactly as planned, maybe there's a reason. Maybe the right plan is happening NOW. Maybe your missing piece is right in front of you.
We eventually stumbled upon the festival and unfortunately, it got rained out. But we didn't care. We ran in the rain, we became super fast airplanes, we giggled and more importantly, we ate great Polish food. I'd say, I got exactly what I wanted..... some good old family fun.
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