We all want the best for our kids -- and our families, and also for ourselves. We work our butts off providing the best of everything -- within our means. Our sole focus is to build the most healthy, well-adjusted, well-rounded, intelligent, caring, contributing kids we can. We mold the generations of tomorrow.
But, it's a hard job. You don't know until you're there, knee-deep in little people, how truly hard it is. Funny, we take parenthood for granted because, after all, our parents did it, and we turned out okay, right? Truly, we underestimate the work of our parents and the sacrifices they had to make for our sakes.
But back to now. Everything gets in the way. There's not enough time, not enough money, not enough adults ... And too many hours away from home trying to make enough money to keep providing all that you can -- and more.
My kids are grown and, for the most part, independent, but that doesn't keep me from mothering and worrying, or wanting to provide for them and make their lives easier. We sacrifice a lot for our kids. That's what parents do, right?
My focus now is to set some sort of an example. They aren't going to do something simply because I say so. That's the nature of kids. But, if I can demonstrate or educate a point, then maybe they'll take notice and follow suit.
Lately I have done a lot of research on healthy, clean living -- not just because of my work with essential oils, but also because I truly believe we need to get back to basics and side track all the modern conveniences.
I think, as a mother, I need to set an example and practice what I preach, but I am a miserable failure in the will-power department. When things get hectic and time gets short, or I feel stressed, all rules fly out the window and I embrace the forbidden -- indulging in all the previously banned foods.
Humans love to find easier ways to do things -- and the more stressed we are, the easier and quicker we want something. That's why fast food is so popular. There is no effort needed to solve the problem of the moment - hunger. And the problem is solved quickly (and fairly cheaply.). We quickly suppress any guilt and move on. I have been guilty of this for the past week. After being away last weekend, and a school play to mount, there was no time for grocery shopping or prepping meals. Breakfasts were grabbed at McD's or DD's - and I liked it! (Only now does the guilt sink in.)But other problems in our lives are not so evident. There are countless products that we use every day that expose our families to chemicals and toxins. We don't seem upset about this, as a whole however, because, "Well, that's the way I've always done it, and the way my parents did it, and no harm has come from it."
Yet. And that's a big "yet."
I'm sure all of you know someone who has become sick -- really sick -- and there didn't seem to be a reason for it. Doctors shook their collective, educated heads and said, "It just happens." Well, I don't buy that. Why would a merciful God randomly choose someone to suffer? I think, perhaps, that we've done it to ourselves -- accidentally of course, with our mass-produced, synthetic, processed world.
I think of my own, sweet mother and all of the health issues she's had in the last 15 years. We still don't know why her lungs became damaged, but some of the residual problems have been a direct result of the medications she was, and still is taking. You know, those lists of "side effects" that they rattle on with in super speed on television commercials. Why do we do this to ourselves?
Because we think it's our only choice.
So why is it that we criticize the fast food industry, but neglect to look in our cabinets to see the countless number of chemicals we are exposed to each day -- in cleaners, personal care products, medications, and in even candles and air fresheners.
We feel guilty if we run through McDonald's with our kids on a harried day, but not about using fabric softener or popping an Ambien on a restless night.
We need to take a more holistic approach to our health and make an effort to pay attention, initially, in small ways, to what toxins we expose our families.
Small steps, but in all areas. Hell, I'm still battling food -- and a huge sugar addiction -- but I am painfully aware of my failings and strive to do a little better each day. Strive to say "no" to temptation. Strive to become more educated and pass that knowledge on to those I surround myself with in some attempt to keep myself accountable.
Life is overwhelming, and it is easy to just give in and do what requires the least effort... Or thought... Or time. But, that is what is killing us -- so slowly that we won't notice at all until it is too late. Yes, some people live their lives unaffected by anything that is supposedly harmful. I can't explain that except to say that for every point on which we are similar as humans, we are different as individuals.
With our health care system in upheaval, why not take your health into your own hands and do everything you can to avoid getting sick. Yes, your mother did things differently, but now that we know more, we have to change and not rely, sentimentally, on what has worked in the past. Choose something small, today, if possible, but DO something!
Oh, and I'd love to see you here as a regular subscriber! (Might encourage me to write more often!)
Thanks for reading!
