Power of Moms

 There are many “Mommy blogs” out there. Some better than others. About a year ago, my friend told me about a blog her cousin had started, SunshinePromises.blogspot.com This brave woman has a tragic story about losing her fifteen-month-old baby in his sleep, for no reason. Her honest writing is amazingly uplifting. I cry each time I read her blog, then hug my children, count my blessings and am determined to do better. Her blog led me to PowerofMoms.com a blog for deliberate mothers. It was started by the amazing April Perry and Saren Eyre Loosli, these inspiring women and many contributing writers post articles encouraging mothers. After following the blog for several months I saw that they were doing a retreat in LA! Hooray! I was beyond thrilled. My friend and I drove to Pasadena on a Friday and Saturday and attended a career development conference for mothers. It felt so good to be surrounded by women who felt the same way I do about mothering, that it is essential and desirable. I didn't have to convince anyone that mothering is important or explain that as a “stay at home mom” I do much more than stay at home.

I had several "ah-ha" moments at the Power of Moms retreat, the most liberating moment was when I realized I can "do it all." For years I had convinced myself that I couldn't possibly take care of myself, my children, my home, friends, church callings, etc. all at the same time. Each time I tried to buckle down and wake up earlier, or write out my schedule, make lists for my kids, etc. I felt a bit OCD. It was so reassuring to be surrounded by amazing women who were making so much progress in reaching their full potential and realizing I was just like them! I felt motivated knowing I didn't have to work harder, just smarter. For too long I've shied away from doing too much because I didn't want to push myself too far. Now I feel I have the tools to push myself in a healthy, productive way, without taking away from my family and without over extending myself. Remember that awesome quote often attributed to Nelson Mandela, actually written by Marianne Williamson,

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

That is what this retreat felt like.

My favorite part of the retreat was the focus and purpose with which the women talked about motherhood. I loved that it always came back to the purpose of each action, the values taught, the lessons learned and the relationships being developed. Since then, I've been trying to go through my day with more purpose and to be more present. I don't text while I'm talking to me kids, or leave my e-mail and blogs up and running while I'm helping them with homework, etc. When we work, run errands, etc. I try to focus on them and what we learn together in the experience, rather than just getting the task done. One day, as I cleaned the car with the "help" of my 3 little boys, I tried to think about this. Afterward I thanked my boys for their help to which four-year-old Joey replied, "Mom, why are you so pretty?" I gave him a big hug and he continued, "you are pretty every day." Melted my heart, especially since I was wearing pig tails and no make-up. I think he felt what I wanted him to while we were cleaning the car!

The first day at the retreat we learned about Mind Organization for Moms. It is a system to clear your counters and mind of clutter, help you check off all those things on your to do list, finish those great projects you have in your mind AND still be a great Mom at the same time. Now that sounds like quite a task. But this system is helping me organize my thoughts and break each project down into small steps that I can accomplish in the two minutes of free time that I have each day.

The month following the retreat was filled with unexpected guests, sick kids, and a traveling husband who worked extra long hours. And yet, I am able to do more, be more and have more energy and joy at the end of the day.

Go Moms!

(I kind of wanted to end this post with a cheer for moms and motherhood, but seeing as I was never a cheerleader and I don't really know how to make up those kind of things, that was the best I could do. I hope you feel my sincere enthusiasm for motherhood!)