We had a perfect start to the week. We spent Monday – the last day of our summer school
holidays – at Litchfield National Park.
Litchfield is the closest national park to Darwin and has
some really fantastic waterfalls and swimming spots.
We usually plan on doing at least two of the three main
swimming spots with lunch in between, but this visit ended up differently.
Rohan fell asleep. He
fell asleep on my chest while I was sitting in a floating pool ring/seatthingy. (Splashing in the water is hard
work!) As a result we spent our entire
visit at the one swimming spot and I learnt a valuable lesson.
Okay, so I already know how important it is to live in the moment; to
pay attention to your thoughts, your actions, how you interact with others –
especially your children; to practice mindfulness. It’s very hard to do- especially when life is
so busy. There are so many places to go,
so much housework to do, so many children to feed and deadlines to meet.
And though I want to be mindful there are times - like when
I’m scrubbing the toilet- that, quite frankly, I’m okay with daydreaming about relaxing
in a hammock next to Aitutaki lagoon in the Cook Islands. Yes, my daydreams are rather specific!
But, when Rohan fell asleep on me, I was given permission. Permission to let go. Permission to just BE PRESENT.
Not to think about the time, not to list what had to be
done/cleaned/cooked, not to worry about the other children (who were having a
blast climbing rocks and/or jumping off things with their father. Okay, I worried a little!)
For 30 to 45 minutes – and it doesn’t even bother me that I don’t
know how long he slept! – I was present.
I focused on the feeling of the water, the pull of the current, the dappled
sun on my skin, the wind through the trees and the precious little bundle
asleep on my chest.
He won’t be this little for long and I got to treasure his
perfection without any many distractions.
Bliss!
For more information about the Northern Territory see here.

Oh, that's lovely! It's so nice when you get a gift of time like that. I'm so glad you took advantage of it, that'll be a picture to cherish forever!
ReplyDeleteThat is so gorgeous! I can't believe he fell asleep on you in the water like that!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard work being so darn cute all day! Thanks for stopping by x
DeleteOh, that picture is just so beautiful!! YES!!! Treasure those incredible moments xx
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit, Kelly 😊
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