I won this book over on Jamie's blog a few months ago and have really been enjoying it. (I'm a bits-and-pieces reader lately, so it takes me a while to get through... but this is a great and very inspiring story of how Lisa Hammond started her business Femail Creations. In the chapter I just finished, Lisa quoted a poem by Patricia Lynn Reilly that I wanted to share with you.
Imagine a Mother
Imagine a mother who believes she belongs in the world.
A mother who celebrates her own life.
Who is glad to be alive.
Imagine a mother who celebrates the birth of her daughters.
A mother who believes in the goodness of her daughters.
Who nurtures their wisdom. Who cultivates their power.
Imagine a mother who celebrates the birth of her sons.
A mother who believes in the goodness of her sons.
Who nurtures their kindness. Who honors their tears.
Imagine a mother who turns toward herself with interest.
A mother who acknowledges her own feelings and thoughts.
Whose capacity to be available to her family deepens as she is available to herself.
Imagine a mother who is aware of her own needs and desires.
A mother who meets them with tenderness and grace.
Who enlists the support of respectful friends and chosen family.
Imagine a mother who lives in harmony with her heart.
A mother who trusts her impulses to expand and contract.
Who knows that everything changes in the fullness of time.
Imagine a mother who embodies her spirituality.
A mother who honors her body as the sacred temple of the spirit of life.
Who breathes deeply as a prayer of gratitude for life itself.
Imagine a mother who values the women in her life.
A mother who finds comfort in the company of women.
Who sets aside time to replenish her woman-spirit.
Imagine yourself as this mother.
Sometimes we're told (or made to feel) like we're being selfish if we are tending to our own needs. I believe that if there is balance, it's completely acceptable and very healthy to nurture ourselves. I know that for me, I feel refreshed and ready to care for the needs of my family most when I've taken some time to myself, whether it be much needed quiet time in the morning, a walk or drive by myself, a retreat of some kind, a thrifting or coffee date alone or with a friend, etc. I used to feel guilty for wanting these little indulgences, but it was at those times that I tended fight feelings of resentment and exhaustion. That old saying, "if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy" holds some truth. I love my family dearly. And I've come to realize that I have to take care of myself as well as taking care of them.
How about you? What little indulgences do you enjoy for some self-nurturing?
Yay! I'm so glad you're enjoying it!!! =)
ReplyDeleteHi, Jenny!
ReplyDeleteI found your blog by way of Kelly Rae Roberts e-course page. I have really enjoyed exploring your work (I love your Scrabble Affirmation), the links from your blog (you have me intrigued by The Meet-Up), and many of your book choices (I have a lot of the same books). Have you seen the book, The Artistic Mother by Shona Cole? You should check it out (it was published this past March and I am really enjoying it).
I have to say I love this poem you shared. I can totally relate to the guilt we sometime feel for tending to our own needs. But you are so right that we need to. So here's to tending to our own needs! See you at class ;)
Jen