“The other day, my 7 year old daughter knocked over a special vase of mine and shattered it...

...I have always had vases and glass plates and other little decorations around my house that are important to me.  My daughter sometimes rushes around and moves too fast.  I’ve always told her to slow down, to calm down. Sometimes I get a little upset.

When I saw what had broken, that it was my special vase, everything in my body started bubbling. I was ready to blow this out of proportion. And then I just stopped.  My body wanted to start yelling, but - though it took a lot out of me - I was able to let that go. I calmly told her 'Just go and sit down in your room.' I started breathing. Closed my eyes. In the middle of it – I felt him speaking with me. '[Mary] - it’s ok. It’s nothing.' In those seconds I felt my body start calming down.

I could tell by the look on her face how sorry she was. I know she doesn’t want to disappoint me. She knows I like to take care of my things – and she likes to take care of her things too. I realized my daughter has never broken anything – even when she was learning how to crawl and walk and run. I was able to tell her “It’s okay.”

I was amazed at myself! I’ve seen change, and I know my daughter has seen it too.  I’m very happy to be able to show her this change in myself – stopping, thinking, breathing, listening. It doesn’t have to be a full meditation – just a couple of breaths and calling on the Lord for guidance. If we get in tune with him in our bodies – he’s already there. I am his child and I am a believer. I’m learning so much."