Rhythm

Today we woke to somber skies and a quiet fog. In the dark of the night the rain lulled me to sleep as I nursed the baby and rocked in the chair. There is something about the rhythm of the rain as it falls to the ground. I could listen to it for hours, especially at night. As I drifted in and out of sleep my mind was filled with reflection and contemplation. I've had such a craving to write lately and have spent much of these past few days deep in thought. After a brief period of sunshine in the late morning, the afternoon brought more rain which helped solidify my resolve to sit and write. As I listened to the rain I couldn't help but think about rhythm and how it plays a huge part in everything around us. Rhythm is found in the flow of the universe, the beating of our hearts, and the changing of seasons.

Lately, I have felt like I am finally finding my rhythm again. Each and every time we welcome a new baby into our home the rhythm shifts a little. It usually takes 4-6 months for things to feel normal and rhythmic again as I learn more about who I am and how to manage the flow of our home.  With Spring here and more time to play outside we have found a wonderful pattern to our days that has left everyone feeling better. Everybody's rhythm is going to look a little bit different, but I love when I am able to find my own rhythm and transform our home into a happy place. 

As I've thought a lot about this concept I've discovered that there is a big difference between rhythm and routine. Routine sounds more rigid and structured where as rhythm has more ebb and flow. Rhythm is sometimes fast paced, and sometimes slow. It's the breathing in and breathing out in our days, weeks, and months. The daily, weekly and seasonal rhythms are the anchors that provide security and happiness for us and our children. They don't necessarily follow specific times on the clock and they can shift and change with the seasons. But overall, rhythms in the home are intentional patterns of life. They help bring us a sense of order and free up our time to enjoy more. Rhythm is fluid enough that changes can be gently added or taken away as needed.

Our home doesn't often follow a set routine, but it does have rhythm (a strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement) which consists of regular meal times, early mornings, gospel study, play, and family time. When our home follows that gentle rhythm, breathing in and breathing out, making time for work, time for play, and time to rest, we are all happier. Sometimes naps get bumped by an hour to allow more time for free play or filling hungry tummies. But generally the children are aware of the natural flow we have created in our home. Motherhood is a constant balancing act of planning and going with the flow. The rhythm of motherhood has a way of teaching us and helping us discover quiet strength and courage we didn't know we had.

Having six kids has taught me to treasure the "doing" a little more and the "getting things done" a little less. The dishes will always be there tomorrow, but that sweet baby will wake up looking older. And so I've learned to listen to the natural heartbeat of our home and take time to nurse that baby just a little longer and cuddle him in my arms long after he's drifted off to sleep. I've learned to take time to admire the way my toddler's eye lashes brush his sweet, rosy cheeks as he naps. I try to slow down at bedtime and listen to the big kids tell me about their days and ask me for advice. 

As I've learned to pay attention more to the natural rhythms of motherhood I am able to find joy in the little things like watching the sun rise each morning to mark a new day and watching it paint the sky each night to mark the end. Recognizing the different seasons of motherhood that I am in has helped me get into a smooth gentle rhythm, blessing our home with peace and our family with happiness.

"Sometimes, Home has a heartbeat" 

~Beau Taplin