There are many things in life I’m passionate about. I love to read about anything and everything. I enjoy good food with good company. I love a good cup of tea to end the day. I spend a good amount of time in meditation because it grounds me. But the one thing that always and I mean ALWAYS strike a cord with me is motherhood and everything that comes with it. I like to spend a few minutes at the end of each day thanking my son for being here with me. I love telling him he’s the best thing that has ever happened to me and to not let anyone tell him otherwise. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have learned the following.
1. Motherhood has taught me to think outside the box and find the strength and courage to do the things I used to think I simply could not do. I love telling my birthing story because that is a great example of thinking outside the box and finding courage to do so. It forced me to want to do better for my son and definitely for myself. I simply did what others thought I could not do, but I knew I could do. I know that is a bigger example of thinking outside the box, but because of that I find the inner courage to do greater things each day. I want to take risks that I know will provide positive outcomes no matter what odds are against me. We all have it in us to do the things we want to do. We are all capable.
2. Embrace life by living it, not just by existing. Bring your A game all day everyday. Each day I get to watch my son live life with such a great joy. Everyday he wakes up like it is Christmas morning. I hope he never loses that love for life. We all get jaded with age and experience, but watching my son has renewed my passion for life. I wake up each day looking forward to what will come. I no longer complain about the commute to work or having to go to work. I am simply THANKFUL I have a job to provide for my family. I no longer complain about having to work out because I am glad that I have the ability to jump or run.
Live life each day as if it is your last because another day is not guarantee.
3. Perfection is for losers. I’m a full time working mom. Yes, that I am. I am not Super Woman and I will not kill myself trying to be. It’s perfectly OKAY. I stopped killing myself each day trying to keep my house perfect after a long day of work. Because I have been gone all day, I rather put that broom down and play with my son. No one who will criticize how the toys are not put away or the dishes are not washed is allowed in my house. Don’t get me wrong, my house is not chaotic. But it is okay to have a few dishes in the sink. My time with my son is limited so what time I have with him I want to present and aware. I also stopped criticizing how I look because my body is a wonderful gift from God. He gave me the ability to help him create life. Now that is amazing by itself. So that so call last two pounds I used to beat myself over the head for, whatever. I love me the way I am, but I still love a good workout. I work out to keep my mind grounded. I don’t work out to be vain. There is a difference with the two and that is called attitude.
4. Milestones are just that…milestones. Every child, just like every pregnancy, is different. I don’t believe in pushing children to be crawling or walking by a certain month or age. Children are a gift from God so they have the natural ability to know when to crawl or walk. I don’t believe in numbers just like I don’t believe in going by the book. So if your baby is not sleeping thru the night by the 6 or 8 weeks, that is okay (maybe not for the sleep deprived parent). But it is okay because that too shall pass. There is a time range for milestones to happen for a reason. Stop freaking yourself out if your child is not walking by the age of one. Few do.
5. Make time for yourself each day. I know too many moms who feel guilty if they take time to do anything for them. Stop. Do something nice for yourself each day. It makes you a better mom, not a bad one. Go to the gym or read a book. Anything, but do SOMETHING. You become angry and bitter if you are constantly meeting everyone’s needs, but your own. I’ve learned this the hard way. Each day I make sure to get my work out and meditation in. I make sure to give me my me time. That way, when I come back to my family I am simply there and I feel good about it. Meeting other people’s need is not an easy thing whether it be work or family. A productive person is a rested person. You think and perform better when you are not tired and/or bitter.
