imagine a mother
I won
over on
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
started her business
. In the chapter I just finished, Lisa quoted a poem by
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?