Barriers... and other Oola Musings.

I know I have given a brief nod to OOLA in a past post on here. Which honestly it should be a curtsy of gratitude as OOLA is the reason I am here- writing. A few months ago I read the OOLA Book (as seen in my side bar of favorite books) and took the online assessment. And realized that I was not balanced in life. I kinda knew this. But, it was a good way to discover where I could use some balance and focus and pay attention to how I am addressing those needs in life. And so- here stands this blog- a source of fun. An outlet for creativity and thoughts and expression- that I can do from the comfort of my own home in jammies while children sleep upstairs as the case may currently be.

More recently a group of friends and acquaintances have come together through a Facebook group to discuss and explore and collectively take the OOLA challenge (I can't NOT think of that as #oolachallenge). The goal is to examine and explore all of the seven areas of OOLA: Fun, Field, Family, Faith, Friends, Finances and (I ALWAYS FORGET ONE....) FItness. Ok, now I have all seven. 

Last week we explored Fun because a lot of us came up deficient- myself included. And yet, after a week of reflection, I realized I have Fun everyday. I just don't always give it credit at the end of day when I am tired and thinking of all that wasn't accomplished. I mean, generally speaking we can't all have fun all the time (though wouldn't that be fun!). The vital thing is to have a little bit of fun and to claim it. Make sure you recognize it for what it's worth. That way you can't be all superlative on your self and sit in the pouting pit of "I never get to do anything fuh-uhn"  So claim your fun. And by claim, I don't mean to just snap a picture. But to also let yourself know "This is Fun." Because then, when you're dragging a whiney fussy preschooler into the house to cries of "I WANT TO STAY OUTSIDE. I DON'T NEED TO SLEEP." You will know, you did have a slice of fun earlier when you and that preschooler were climbing at the playground. Savor it.


This week we are talking about Field. Now, cut back to that scene out front with first class tantrum performance. Put a cartoon bubble over my exasperated face in which it says: "This is not what I envisioned." Nope. Being a stay at home parent is not exactly what one thinks it is when you first sign up. Good, bad, indifferent, it's just not envision-able. Raising children is unpredictable and a little wild. And let's not forget, there are moments when that thought bubble says "This is Fun." However, in the seven years that I have been at home with a kid or two I can honestly say I have wanted to get the bumper sticker that says "I'd rather be {fill in the blank}." That's not to say that I don't love being a stay at home mom on the whole. However, when our OOLA challenge group was given the question: 

"If money were no object...
What would you DO today?
What feels like your calling?
Don't think JOB... think, What makes your HEART SING?"


I didn't think "Make breakfast lunch and dinner to a chorus of requests, clean dishes, pick up toys, do laundry, wash hands, feet, faces, wipe noses, fingers, butts, chauffeur children, break up fights and plan schedules." Sorry, I just didn't. My heart mumbles and grumbles during all of that. Maybe it's singing "it's a hard knock life"... but probably not, that song is a bit too up tempo. I did start to formulate a respond to the question. My response went something like that past blog post: "Play with Clay all day." (See it's much more song like) "I would sculpt, throw, teach and generally just be the clay and be an artist. I would share art and feel empowered to help others be creative and confident. I would make things that people can use and sell. And I would give it away and share all of it." Um. Definitely not what i am doing right now but it sure sounds lovely. To me, anyway! 


I am glad I didn't respond right away though, because I thought on that response. And then we were asked another question: "What are your barriers to following your calling in life? We all have barriers - some are big, some are small. What are yours?" 

This question got me thinking about Field, Calling and life more than anything. I think that so often, my biggest barrier to following my calling is: Perspective. I so often see where I am right now as different from where I want to be. Not so unusual, right? Meanwhile, this parenting gig has taught me one thing: We can't spend the day whining about what we want. Not without irritating and infuriating all the people around us (Yes, three year old, I'm talking to you... And Me.) We have chosen, as a family, for me to be at home with the kids. And it's a choice that I am so glad we made. It doesn't always feel like a J-O-B. But it's a whole lotta work! And it's a whole lotta fun. I get to go to a playground and be creative in the kitchen and rock my kiddo to nap. It's worth it- when I look at the big picture. 

Sure, it complicates our Finance area and it blurs the line of Family and Field, but it is where I am called to be - right now. And so my biggest barrier in that is my own brain. So, Brain: Stop wishing for other. Enjoy the Playdough on this side of life. And Stay at home Mommy-self: Keep sharing art- with your kids! Inspire them to be creative. Be where you are so you can appreciate it. I don't know about other mama's who are home with kids but not having a job description, time clock to punch and a boss to answer to can be a blessing. It can be confusing and culturally "against the grain" at times but it can also be exactly where you're meant to be. Now if only we got degrees for mastering diapering or sleep training or keeping the floor clean for more than 20 minutes. The good news is we do get pay increases: NO more Diapers to buy; Free public education/ no more preschool tuition; Free hands as the Kids can walk unassisted! And more importantly we get promotions: To cooking solid food only; To reading chapter books: To riding bikes with your big boy. 

Can you relate to feeling like you are not where you want to be? I have decided it's time I just realize I am Where I am called to be and to keep walking this awesome path- learning to balance grow the whole time. What is in your way of Making your Heart Sing? And got any tips for those times when the Whine Refrain gets a little too loud? 

Being an at home mom is constantly in flux. Follow me on Instagram to see the journey and join my Facebook group where I share some of my adventures in healthy momming!