google-site-verification: google25a08fc65649193e.html Living in Mommywood: Live with Purpose

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Live with Purpose

It's never to late to be who your meant to Be.

After my second serious relationship ended I found myself with a lot of time on my hands and a sadness I had never felt before. Feeling like a failure and questioning myself I decided to get "real" and start peeling away at all the layers that made up Mari. I wanted to know what the heck was wrong with me.

Of course when relationships end we automatically think something is wrong with someone. We never think it's just not the right connection or right time or that along the way plans and ideas changed. Just like we at times go into a store with one thought and as we walk the aisles we turn to another thought such can happen in a relationship.

illustration by pinterest

This peeling away and dissecting of my layers took a full year. I read books, I wrote lists, I talked, I watched videos, I cried, I read some more, I cried some more then I just stopped one day and said "this is not who I am this is not who I am meant to be" " this person's view of me is not my end but my beginning".

No one is right or wrong, just different. No one is lacking we are both good enough just not good enough together.

During this time I began to physically do something that for many years I always wanted to do. Volunteer. I wanted to invest my time not waste my time or spend my time. I wanted to make a difference, make someone smile or laugh, use my hands to help something grow, use my eyes to see the good in life. My BFF steered me in the right direction by ntroducing me to an amazing organization called New York Cares.

It's been almost three years since I became a volunteer at NY Cares. I've had fantastic opportunities to contribute to wonderful things and meet wonderful people. To feel love and give love, to share in smiles and sometimes tears. To Live with Purpose.

illustration by facebook

My most resent experience was with Kids of various ages who have Special Needs. It was a two hour music class. A real music teacher came to teach the class. I had no clue what to expect, I just love music so thought it would be fun and I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. I wanted to practice what I have learned about life, gratitude and patience. When I got there everyone was so welcoming and friendly. My team leader gave us a briefing on do's and don'ts. Major don't was no touching! Some of the kids are very sensitive to a lot of stimulation so she suggested we let the kids guide us in how we connected with them.

I learned to sign the number's 1-10 and the alphabet A-J, the teacher suggested that basic sign was a great tool to know and use with our kids in case of an emergency. I learned to use eye contact better to maintain the kids engaged with the activities. We sang, danced and played instruments. At the end of class we did a little ribbon dance and everyone loved it! The flow of the ribbons seemed to soothe the kids and ended the class on a high note.

I am definitely making this one of my other set assignments for sure. The smile on their faces though many didn't even speak was priceless. I began small conversations with some of the parents and hope to learn more about the kids and what I can do in general to better their experience in the class. Live with Purpose.

Volunteering started as something that I could do to help others but it quickly turned into something that healed me from the inside out. That I received from more than I gave because with all my assignments I have rec'd so much love, more than I could have ever imagined. If volunteer work is not possible because of time etc...find something! Give back in your lowest moment, in your time of need and you will see how much of a reward it will be. Live with Purpose.

illustration by vinspired.com

What are some ways you live with purpose? Have you passed that on to your children? Have a great program you think I should try out?

Always stress free xo.

12 comments:

  1. Think about what is right about you!
    PS I can relate to your experience in finding rewards in working with special needs children- I used to be a special education teacher and then a supervisor of special needs programs. Keep up the good work.

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  2. Being a special education teacher is one way that my kids see me living with a purpose.

    Also, they see me and my line "Don't mess with happy" about life. Too many are messing with happy by chasing life and money. I have adopted the view of I can pay for cable, a roof, electricity and other bills so I don't need to chase instead I will let life come to me.

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    1. Patrick thanks for visit and comments always a pleasure. I agree chasing life is wasteful better to use our energies elsewhere chat soon :)

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  3. I love this and yes, I work with my sons school, Boy Scouts, his sports team and Big Brothers/Sisters and want to volunteer with either babies or elderly people. Which I plan on doing soon so my son can help and learn it is better to give than to receive.

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    1. Glenda thanks for stopping by, hope you find a program that works for you so you can share experience with your son. He will thank you for it :)

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  4. You are so right, so much of life is about timing and it really is never to late to start living with a purpose! There is definitely great joy to be found in helping others, and I think you are an amazingly wonderful person for giving back!

    Thank you for sharing with us at #MommyMeetupMondays!

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    1. Brandyn that's sweet thanks for visit and comments. Trust when I say I get more than I give :)

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  5. Thank you for sharing and joining our Oh My Heartsie Girl Wordless Wednesday Link Party. Have a great day, co-host Evija @Fromevijawithlove

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  6. I used to volunteer with NY Cares too (before I move)! It's a great organization and it's wonderful that you're so involved. Thanks for sharing at the Manic Mondays blog hop!

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