Are you a fun mom?
I think I used to be a very long time ago, maybe before I was a mom. One of the reasons Bruce married me in the first place was because he says I am fun (that was his #1 reason). But as the years progressed and we had more kids, my hormones changed, I slept less and took on more stress, I don't think I am fun anymore.
With the kids, I often feel like the referee, the teacher, the cook, the maid, and the taxi. Somehow it drains all the FUN out of me!
But I want to be a fun mom! I always have wanted that . . .
After a year of cancer, I can see I have changed. I take each day that God has given me and I don't wait for the next time or when things might be perfect. I just dive in because today might be my last. You just never know God's plans for you. I think it is sad that it took cancer to get me back to being a more in-the-moment kind of mom. One thing in particular I have noticed this summer is I am no longer a bystander. I now do so many more things than I used to, instead of just sitting around and watching others do them.
For instance, our Bible Study group, Elements, decided to take the summer off and head to the beach each Tuesday with all our kids. Each week I coax the ladies I am with into the ocean with me for a half hour. One of them has not been in the ocean for 15 years! We take in the waves, talk and shiver in the chilly Pacific waters. I feel rejuvenated and refreshed. Today I asked the girls how old do you feel jumping over the waves? "12", one of them said. Ah, we are living life!
Now there are a bunch of health benefits to going in the ocean every week which I just have to mention here.
First, the minerals in the sea air decrease stress and increase a sense of well being. Salt in water preserves the melatonin, tryptamine and serotonin levels in your brain. This helps with fighting off depression or improving your sense of well being. Going in the ocean water with your back to the breaking waves is like a reset of your emotional state.
Second, studies indicate that the minerals contained in the ocean’s water help with arthritis, psoriasis and even depression. Other skin diseases such as rosaeca, eczema and rashes from plant allergies or heat are positively affected by the ocean water. We decided today that we felt our skin was softer from our once a week plunges.
Third, ocean water contains iodine which boosts thyroid function and improves the immune system. When you are in sea water the amount of oxygen carried throughout your bloodstream is improved and more nutrients are carried through your bloodstream to fight off free radicals. Ocean water also improves circulation of blood to organs.
Next, the swells and currents in the water act as a lymphatic massage to our whole body. Being in the ocean water for a half hour is just like paying $80 for a expensive spa lymph massage. Only God could know what our bodies need and provide a free alternative for our health.
Lastly, air particles break apart releasing ions into the atmosphere when the waves break. Some scientists claim that sea air contains an abundance of negatively charged ions. In today’s society we have too many positive ions in our life. You may know positive ions by another name – free radicals. Because electricity, computers, TV and electronics are all sources of positive ions in our lives, it is easy to see why we have a shortage of negative ions. Increasing our exposure to negative ions has many health benefits including enhancing the immune system, increasing alertness and improving concentration. The negative ions also help to reset your immune system and give you energy.
The biggest benefit is that my kids come and hang out with me in the water. Atleast Danika and Emmi do. They all think I am a "cool" mom for getting in the water and playing. Next week, I am going to boogie board with them and this week we are headed out to Long Beach to windsurf like I did 20 years ago. I can't wait to pull out the old board and see if I still can do it!
So I am writing this for all the moms out there that want to stay in your beach chair this summer (like I have done so many years in a row!). I had many excuses - I didn't want to get wet, it was too cold, I didn't want to have anyone see my overweight body, I didn't want to have to shower . . . and so on. JUST DO IT! Whatever it is, experience God's creation with your kids! Get in the ocean, the river, the lake - take that hike, jump in the pool with your kids . . . experience life! This one life God has given you! You never know when it will change - your kids will grow, your health may deteriorate - do it now before it's too late!
The fun mommy in all of us is just waiting to come out and we never know we might get healthier while we're at it! Come join me this summer . . . your kids and probably your husbands love it! Just picture our God in heaven will be smiling down watching you enjoy the things he made for you! What could be better!
You shall go out in JOY and be led forth in PEACE" Is 55:12
