I generally don’t write on Sunday. It is my day off. The conflict comes in that this is a very living part of my soul, so I don’t turn Waldorf off on Sunday, lol. Today I was inspired to share a few things. Have a wonderful week.
I have had lot of questions lately about how to cultivate mood at home. I think this is one of those things that you take for granted after you’ve been at this for a while. We can feel if the mood is off or on. It comes from doing. Reading all the books about the school setting or looking at pretty blog posts won’t help with the mood.
It struck me last night. I was watching a silly movie after all the kids were in bed. Ramen Girl. LOL. It was a great little feel good movie. In the movie, the girl, an American wants to learn the age old tradition of making Ramen (not the cheap stuff you get at the store!) This seems to be a big deal for her teacher as it is more than just a recipe that you put together in a pot. She watches and watches and tries and tries. She fails time and again. Her teacher tries to help her understand that it isn’t the ingredients, it is the Spirit that she is missing. She eventually breaks herself down and becomes humble and then her soup is successful. Where am I going? Stick with me.
Waldorf education is not just a list of ingredients and to-do lists. It is about the self education of the teacher/parent. It is about a level of humility we have to accomplish. Humility isn’t easy. It takes a connection with Spirit. A connection that allows us to peak into the souls of our children and trust the wisdom we are seeing.
I love this little story I heard at church. One of the leaders was worrying about being prepared for his new leadership position and he bent the ear of a more experienced leader about his concerns. The older, wiser leader told him “The trouble with you is you want to see the end from the beginning. You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness, then the light will appear and show the way before you.” I love this quote and have it on my desk. I have often felt that bit of shade before feeling the light on my face again. It is about trusting.
So back to mood and the Waldorf home. It isn’t those ingredients that are so important, it is only part of the soup. How is your spirit? Have you taken the time to plan your lessons? Practice your drawings? Read your material? Have you taken the time to pray/meditate about your child? Or are you rushing, marking off your list? Circle time…check. Lighting a candle…check. Bean bag toss…check. Painting…check. 15 curriculum resources…check. LOL.
I would rather have one or two beautifully planned lessons each week than 4 that I didn’t feel good about. The mood is in the preparation time. There isn’t a magic curriculum that can give you the magic mood pill.
The mood comes from the stillness. The mood comes from the quiet early mornings of practicing form drawings and painting. The mood comes from reading and reading and asking questions, meditating and then reading some more. The mood, Mama… comes from YOU. You bring it. You hold it. You have to be the major cultivator of it. When Waldorf lives in you as more than just a list of *things* to do, then you will FEEL the mood. It is almost palpable. You can almost taste it. Smell it. It makes your heart full and your eyes well with tears. Your Ramen will be perfect 
Love & Blessings.
amen.
I love this, this a timely topic for me. I am in the circle time- check, mode lately. The inner work continues to be something I fight against. How to surrender…?
Thats how I think I started but, I can tell that its not where I am going to end up. Things are getting better and better as I get better and better. Thanks for the reminder post.
I definitely agree–often there’s a shadow before the light returns! remembering that can be so comforting…it really brings hope to the shadow times. Thanks for the reminder!
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. About humility and setting the tone of our days. I think there is so much emphasis placed on our FEELINGS in this culture, this idea that everything should feel good to us. “I’d love to have a calm household, but I don’t feel like getting up early” or whatever the case may be. I often don’t feel like doing what needs to be done, either (LOL!) but I am the mama and our days hinge on my ability to be humble, to set aside my ephemeral wants, and do what needs to be done. And you know, I do feel good at the end of a good day! Lovely post, Melisa!
This is wonderfully written and exactly what I needed to read today. Our house has been full of stress and chaos for so long. There are rare occasions when I feel the mood and peace fills our home. I strive for it but we always feel rushed, or my mind isn’t focused. Thanks for the gentle reminder to work on my inner works so I can bring that peace to the whole house.
Exactly! Thank you for the gentle reminder. I know I need this as I spend my Sunday with To Do lists and preparing for the week … it’s more than just the lists and the things. Well said
Best wishes!