The Merriam-Webster free on-line definition for nurture is as follows, with my personal additions in bold:
1. to supply with nourishment for your soul
2. to educate from within
3. to further develop the natural gift that we are
Is this important? It is in my life! I’m the nurturer in my family. Whose job is it in your family? It’s a very important role and not always solely taken by the “Mom”. It’s terribly difficult these days to slow down, relax, nourish, recharge and replenish the self. But someone has to do it! I do it in my family and it works for us. I have a really great, organized system of obtaining the most healthy foods and items for my household, and on most days at 5pm, I choose to stop whatever I am doing and enjoy my time creating in the kitchen. It calms and centers me; it makes my house a home and fills my family’s heart and bellies with love. This act can come in many forms; from growing your own organic veggies/herbs for cooking homemade meals, to sitting down together for any kind of dinner with no distractions (yes-no electronics). Life is busy, so let’s get practical! This can sound like a huge time commitment, but is it? Really? I have to fight the inner “mind” voice that says, “you “should” be—fill in the blank.” I have to go with the heart voice that knows my truth. Nurturing brings me to my heart voice and that voice says to nurture, and so the cycle goes. My brain is so powerful, there is a part that wants to sabotage the whole process and keep me “shoulding” all over my self. So, let’s be Sandra Lee to the 100th degree. What can you do right now to practice nurturing for you and/or your family? It doesn’t have to cost anything. It doesn’t even have to be food related; although vital for nurturing.
• Close your beautiful eyes and breathe in to a count of 8 and out to 10–5 times; or practice getting there. Take a wonderful journey inside your body. Go to places that call to you, stay there and ask questions–with no judgment.
• Un-cross your legs and envision your connection to the middle of the earth and the universe abound. Do some Kundalini wing flapping or QiGong. Just fill your tank and prime your pump!
• Get on the floor alone or with your family and mimic your pet? It will get you present, connected and probably laughing. Sweating and laughing have got to be the 2 most important things in life.
• Turn off all electronics, unless they are helping you in the cooking process.
• Funky, fun, conversation invoking dinner napkins—cloth or paper (recycle)
• Adding your own home grown basil to take-out pizza; a little plant on the window sill can go a long way. Don’t wait for the BIG garden.
• Eat outside, anywhere, just out doors. Be messy!
• 5 o’clock news; that is the LAST thing I want to be watching after a long day. Do you “think” it relaxes you? Do you really?
There will never be a better time than now; live amongst your chaos! There will never be a time when all is done—unless you’re dead of course. Then…too late! I’m all for organization and simplification, but not when it takes over. Put down the label maker and join yourself. Happy night!
Sandra Lee on the Food Network