{"id":6245,"date":"2014-12-09T06:48:08","date_gmt":"2014-12-09T12:48:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/?p=6245"},"modified":"2016-06-26T07:46:00","modified_gmt":"2016-06-26T13:46:00","slug":"the-manager-in-my-home-the-five-words-that-changed-everything","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/2014\/12\/09\/the-manager-in-my-home-the-five-words-that-changed-everything\/","title":{"rendered":"The Manager in My Home & the Five Words that Changed Everything"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"manager<\/a><\/p>\n

Every couple of weeks I patiently untangle the knots of strawberry-blonde hair that sit at the base of my child\u2019s neck. As I sat on the corner of the tub the other night gently loosening an especially stubborn clump while my daughter chattered about her day, I couldn\u2019t stop the tears.<\/p>\n

Those wet tangles I held in my hand were tangible signs of progress\u2014tangible proof that letting go can happen even in the most problematic hearts. My wish is that by sharing where I once was and where I am now, others will feel hope they didn\u2019t feel in awhile. Perhaps by reading about my messy, tangles of progress, others will see their own. This is my story \u2026<\/p>\n

There was a time in my life when I barked orders more often than I spoke words of love \u2026 when I reacted to small everyday inconveniences as if they were major catastrophes \u2026 when normal human habits and quirks raised my blood pressure to dangerous levels.<\/p>\n

Rather than nurturing<\/em> my family members, I took it upon myself to manage<\/em> my family members until there was no room to bend or breathe.<\/p>\n

My artistic, busybody, dream-chasing older daughter\u2019s desire\u00a0to create\u00a0multiple projects at once, try new recipes, and keep towering stacks of books and magazines by her bedside received disapproving looks on a daily basis.<\/p>\n

My stop-and-smell-the-roses younger daughter\u2019s desire to buckle stuffed animals before we departed, accessorize every part of her body before walking out the door, and move at a snail\u2019s pace drew exasperated breaths and annoyed frowns.<\/p>\n

My fun-loving, laidback husband\u2019s spontaneous approach to weekend plans and ability to totally chill out got the silent treatment more times that I could count.<\/p>\n

The people I was supposed to love unconditionally possessed qualities that irritated, annoyed, and continually derailed my carefully planned agenda\u2014an agenda that was all about efficiency, perfection, and control.<\/p>\n

I was not acting as a mother or a wife or even a decent human being. I was acting as a surly manager who was intent on creating a toxic environment\u2014a place where it was pretty hard to show up each and every day.<\/p>\n

How do I know?<\/p>\n

Because even I could barely stand myself. The impatient person I\u2019d become woke up angry and irritated as I braced myself for another day of managing the unmanageable. Forget about living. Forget about smiling. Forget about counting the blessings. The Grumpy Manager didn\u2019t do that. And everyone in the home began following suit.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Hair brushing was a point of contention. Each morning my older daughter obediently allowed me to brush hastily as I pretended not to see her wincing. We were in a rush after all. I hated to be late.<\/p>\n

When it was my younger daughter\u2019s turn she would always ask if she could brush her own hair today. My response alternated between, \u201cWe don\u2019t have time today,\u201d and \u201cWhen you get a little bigger.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"manager<\/a><\/p>\n

On this particular morning my then four-year-old child did not ask if she could brush her own hair. I was relieved. I could get this hair into a ponytail, prod her to get her shoes on quickly, and be out the door in less than two minutes I calculated\u2014because managers always calculate.<\/p>\n

As I aggressively gathered Avery\u2019s unruly curls into my palm, I happened to get a glance at my reflection. My brows were knotted together tightly. My mouth set was in a hard, thin line. I looked haggard, hopeless, and sad. I would have dismissed this disturbing sight had it not been for the fact that my child was staring at my reflection too.<\/p>\n

If expressions could talk, my child\u2019s face would have said this loud and clear: Who are you? Where did my mama go?<\/em><\/p>\n

I felt my face grow hot. I felt tears wanting to come forth, but I blinked them back\u2014because managers know there\u2019s no time for tears.<\/p>\n

But instead of continuing to brush with vigor, I suddenly stopped. With trembling hands, I held out the hairbrush to my child.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow would you do it?\u201d I asked quietly.<\/p>\n

At first she looked shocked, as if I was offering her a hairy tarantula. But as I continued to hold out the brush, Avery eventually picked it up.<\/p>\n

With small but agile hands, she stroked the sides of her hair from top to bottom until the hair was silky smooth. While lost in her joyful task, I think she forgot I was there. After a few minutes, she carefully brought the hair forward to drape softly over her shoulders. Then she smiled proudly at her reflection. The manager in me noticed she did not brush the back of her head, but I remained quiet.<\/p>\n

My child met my eyes in the mirror. \u201cThank you, Mama. I always wanted to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

I prayed I would do something, anything with those significant words that were gifted to me.<\/p>\n

For the next several weeks, we finished up breakfast a few minutes earlier so Avery could brush her own hair, and I could watch … and learn.<\/p>\n

\"manager<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWant me to show you how I do it?\u201d my child said each morning as I held out the brush.<\/p>\n

I never got tired of seeing the pure joy Avery received from doing it herself, her way, the back of the head optional.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake your time,\u201d I forced myself to say every morning until it felt like English coming from my lips rather than a foreign language.<\/p>\n

Whenever I said those particular words, there was a noticeable reaction. Unlike any other words, these three words were especially meaningful to my child. The way her shoulders lifted and her smile widened, I deemed them Soul-Building Words<\/em> for this girl. I acknowledged that I would\u2019ve never known the power of these words for Avery had I not stepped aside and surrendered control. I was motivated to take this powerful realization and apply it to other relationships. In what other ways could I make Hairbrush Offerings as a means of connecting with and lifting up others? It didn\u2019t take long to see there were many opportunities to open my hands and ask: How would you do it?<\/em><\/p>\n

The way my husband took care of the children \u2026 tidied his area of the bedroom \u2026 chose outfits for going out \u2026 put away the groceries \u2026 and paid the bills were not wrong\u2014just different than the way I did them.<\/p>\n

The way my older daughter packed her swim bag \u2026 emptied her swim bag \u2026 saved money \u2026 selected gifts \u2026 completed projects \u2026 did homework \u2026 and baked cookies were not wrong\u2014just different than the way I did them.<\/p>\n

The way the chatty clerk bagged my groceries \u2026 the way my colleague took ten extra steps to accomplish a task \u2026 the way my sister sipped coffee and read the paper before starting our day together were not wrong\u2014just different than the way I did them.<\/p>\n

How would you do it?<\/em> I commonly asked these five words of surrender when the control freak inside me began to get agitated. As I watched the people in my life do it their way \u2026 in their own time \u2026 with their own flair, I saw sparks of joy I didn\u2019t see before. And just like with Avery and the hairbrush, I learned each person had specific Soul-Building Words<\/em> that fueled that spark.<\/p>\n

\"manager<\/a><\/p>\n

Over time, the manager nameplate peeled off my shirt, and I strived to be less of a dictator and more of a guiding, supportive, loving presence. I went to bed feeling lighter, freer, and happier knowing I did not have to be in control all the time. I woke up with the peaceful awareness that there were many ways to live, create, and accomplish tasks\u2014and sometimes the\u00a0other ways<\/em> were better than my ways.<\/p>\n

Avery is now eight years old and quite the hairstylist. Not only does she do neat stuff with her own hair, but she can also make mine look great. Avery still doesn\u2019t pay too much attention to the back of her hair. This results in her handing me the comb and a bottle of conditioner and we share a little time together as the steam rises from the tub.<\/p>\n

I relish the fact that even when presented with the messiest tangles, the ones that look like they might have to be cut away, there is hope \u2026 there is growth \u2026 there are new beginnings if I loosen my grip a little and keep on trying.<\/p>\n

I leave with you with what I\u2019ve learned through the blessing of the tangles. I call it: Building a Soul, One Word at a Time<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI will wait for you.\u201d
\n\u201cTake your time.\u201d
\n\u201cYou make my day better.\u201d
\nI say those words to my slow-moving, happy-go-lucky, Noticer of life child.
\nI watch as grateful eyes light up and tiny shoulders relax.
\nThose words are Soul-Building Words to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cMistakes mean you are learning.\u201d
\n\u201cIt doesn\u2019t have to be perfect.\u201d
\n\u201cOkay, you can have a few more minutes to work on your project.\u201d
\nI say those words to my driven, contentious planner and pursuer of dreams child.
\nI watch as pressure escapes from her chest and aspirations soar higher.
\nThose words are Confidence-Boosting Words to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI appreciate you.\u201d
\n\u201cI\u2019m listening.\u201d
\n\u201cYou matter.\u201d
\nI say those words to my hard-working, often underappreciated love of my life.
\nI watch as tensions loosen, eyes meet, and conversation comes easier.
\nThose words are Affirming and Connective Words to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good enough for today.\u201d
\n\u201cBe kind to yourself.\u201d
\n\u201cToday matters more than yesterday.\u201d
\nI say those words to my own perfection-seeking, worrisome heart that tends to replay past mistakes.
\nI watch as my clenched hands open and tears fall as scars come to the surface.
\nThose are Healing, Hope-Filled Words to me.<\/p>\n

The words \u201cI love you\u201d should never be underestimated, but every human being has a few words that make his or her soul come alive. Discover what those words are by standing back, letting go, watching, learning, and listening. What brings a smile? What adds a spring to the step? Commit those words to memory and say them, say them as often as you can so that one day you are no longer needed to hear them.<\/p>\n

\"manager<\/a><\/p>\n

*******************************<\/p>\n

Friends of \u00a0The Hands Free Revolution<\/a>, what Hairbrush Offerings are you going to make today? Please share in the comments. We can learn so much from each other.
\n<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Recommended resource:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nEvery step I took and every strategy I used to change my controlling, hurried, and distracted ways, can be found\u00a0in\u00a0my first book, HANDS FREE MAMA<\/a>, a New York Times Bestseller. My second book, HANDS FREE LIFE<\/a>, is a\u00a0guide to living life, rather than\u00a0managing, stressing, screaming, or barely getting through life. Through truthful storytelling and life-giving Habit Builders, I show you how to respond to yourself and your loved ones with more presence, more grace, and more love. Be sure and check out the beautiful\u00a0handmade bracelets inscribed with phrases like\u00a0ONLY LOVE TODAY<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0I CHOOSE LOVE<\/a> that have become touchstones for people trying to be more positive and less critical. \u00a0Non-leather options<\/a> available too.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n
\nImportant note:\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

This blog post has reached over 5 million people because of your willingness to share a message of hope & healing! I have received many courageous messages asking for further guidance. My dear colleague Sandy Blackard, who is an award-winning author<\/a> and parenting coach, is helping me respond to these messages and has provided insightul answers to some of the questions posed in the comment section of the blog post. Sandy has condensed all her responses into one succinct blog post<\/a>. If you would like to make sure things get done on time without rushing or over-managing your children OR if you are yearning to put perfectionism aside and provide guidance without criticism or negative correction, read these seven tips: \u201cOn Time with Empowered Children<\/a>.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Books<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Every couple of weeks I patiently untangle the knots of strawberry-blonde hair that sit at the base of my child\u2019s neck. As I sat on the corner of the tub the other night gently loosening an especially stubborn clump while my daughter chattered about her day, I couldn\u2019t stop the tears. Those wet tangles I […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":6246,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[1351,890,1055,1349,1168,1348,1004,1350],"gutentor_comment":5,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/manager-1-e1417808120424.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1fUJF-1CJ","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6245"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6245"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6245\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6246"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6245"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6245"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6245"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}