My 3.5 year old has officially entered into the magical & wondrous phase I call: “why, though?”
He’s constantly putting me on the spot. I’m questioning everything I ever thought I knew as he picks away at my whole existence.
*eyes wide*
“Uuuuuhhhh, I’m not sure why we have our toilet paper roll facing out. Isn’t that the best way?” Now I don’t know.
I foolishly let go of my elitist door-to-door Encyclopedia Britanica Set so I’m stuck hiding out googling things so he doesn’t think I’m a complete moron.
On the way to the grocery store a few months ago, my son asks – “so, who made all this?” staring out the window with his classic scrunchy face. He continued, “you know, the trees and the sky and the buildings and roads…” I rattled off some spiel about city planning and turned the music back up.
And then I hear…….”why, though?”
I swear I heard his mic drop.
I was not prepared.
I can’t remember exactly what I said. Something vague, I’m sure. But it definitely got me thinking.
What is all this for?
Shakespeare said “All the world’s a stage” suggesting to me that we’re here playing out roles in pursuit of happiness. (Will Smith knows a thing or two as well)
All in the name of love.
Seems pretty straightforward, right?
So, why is everyone tired? What is this satisfaction I’m searching for? What American Dream? Why are we chasing money? Why do I feel disconnected from community? Why, why, why all of it…..I would like to know so that I can tell my children.
So, I’ve been thinking about it.
Being a parent these days (and especially in the bay area) means running around the clock. Nose to the grindstone – divide & conquer – trying to stay afloat, to get ahead – checking all the boxes. With one million balls in the air.
Leaving little to no time for self-care or fostering connections to the community we all dream of.
I don’t even have the brain capacity to eat or drink water at regular intervals – so, at first, carving out time to ponder life’s greater moral questions & the foundation I’m hoping to create for my children felt rather daunting.
Furthermore, day-dreaming – while fun in the moment – often leaves me feeling sad when it’s over.
It’s like coming home from an amazing vacation – there’s always an adjustment period. A bit of the blues.
And I get that – examining inner hope puts further contrast between fantasy and reality.
I certainly do not want to be living in some fantasy world – with my head in the clouds. I don’t want to feel crazy or out of touch.
Or worse – never have all those dreams come true.
Better not risk it.
But then, just like that damn baby shark phenomenon, the classic toddler question popped in my head and I asked myself: “why, though?”
And my smarty pants higher self replied, “why not? what have you got to lose?”
And I realized – if I allow my mind to wander – guilt free – it opens doors to my inner understandings of what my dream world looks like – one that I see for my children – and just like magic, day-dreaming became useful.
It gained value.
And as it turns out, science says those dreamy dreams emit frequencies that call back those exact dreamy dreams we’re dreaming about – so it kinda seems like a win-win, right?!
So why, then? (see, I’m catching on) is it such a big step back into the life I have so lovingly created?
Why do I hear the lyrics of “Back to life, back to reality….” floating around my head as I readjust my sails?
I’m stepping back into my life that isn’t running so smoothly – immediately sucked in to the lower frequencies stifling those higher frequencies of unconditional love and happiness.
And down my gaze goes, back in the grind, focused on the details.
BUT – someone wise recently told me I shouldn’t even be worrying about those details.
They said the devil is in there.
Head in the clouds, head in the sand…..where’s the middle ground, then? How do I close the gap. Where’s the balance?
oohhhhhh, EARTH!!!!
Let’s be where we are, folks. Living authentically, presently & truthfully with all those we love on this beautiful, abundant planet, together as one.
Idk, could be fun, right?
The truth is, it would be very fun. And that is what it’s all about for me, my tribe & the foundation I want to build for my children – one of pure, blissful, fulfilling love for all.
Once again, I became the student and my son taught me an invaluable lesson to always ask why and to question our thoughts and our actions – just never know what we might uncover.
And anyway, what have we got to lose?
