Do you find yourself being resistant when someone says to you, take care of you first?
Might you notice a bristling feeling or thought when you hear those words, “self-care” always being spoken? “I know I should”, often becomes the response, “But I don’t have any time”, “Easier said than done” … And the thoughts get quickly dismissed on the next “have to”.
Does your mind jump to all the things you have to do, the places you need to go and the people that need your attention?
The big report that needs to be completed, the dinner you must prepare, the parent that needs care, the child that needs to be taken somewhere, or the animal needing to be fed? Possibly, the car that needs service, time for grocery shopping, going outside for a walk or even thinking about what you need to do next! This list goes on and on for all of us.
Hmmmmm… notice… where are YOU on that list? Are you even on the list?
The world is changing, are you? This is just not about the collective, it’s personal!
“Not the world, not what’s outside of us, but what we hold inside traps us. We may not be responsible for the world that created our minds, but we can take responsibility for the mind with which we create our world.”
― Gabor Maté
We get to choose how we want to feel and think in any given circumstance.
So, let’s make the personal choice. The healthier the choices we make, the more we can impact the energy of the planet. Shift your perspective!!
In the United States, May is known to be the month we honor and celebrate Mothers.
Many of us have beautiful fulfilling experiences and loving memories of those individuals responsible for our upbringing and support. Others may feel less of a connection. We do know all these moments and sentiments are much greater than the Hallmark cards and flowers.
You may have heard, or even have said yourself, “They did the best they could with what they knew at the time”. This allows us to open our hearts for love, compassion, patience and forgiveness. At times, have you noticed your own behavior and thoughts are not loving either?
It’s time to celebrate the “mother” within!
What does being a loving mother to yourself look like?
No matter what your experience, YOU now have the opportunity to create and to be a loving mother to yourself.
Mother, may I? Permission Granted! It’s Your Turn. We all get to play!
Shift your perspective and put yourself first! Stand in a place of self-love and honoring. When you come from this place everything will begin to come in alignment as you will be speaking your truth.
Here are my 8 Tips for “Self-Mothering”. I encourage you to create your own as a daily practice.
- Love Yourself: I am enough, I do enough, I have enough. Know you are enough, no matter what!
- Listen to the Voice Within: Pause and listen to your heart. You can even place your hand on your heart, and ask, “what is mine to do in this circumstance”? Trust yourself, even when it may not be what another would like, want or expect.
- Breathe: Consciously breathe into your belly. Allow yourself to stay grounded versus the “fight or flight” response that often gets generated from our shallow breathing.
- Be Authentic: Show up as the real you. In a loving way, say what is true for you. Not just what you think others want to hear or what you should do.
- Forgiveness: I cannot change the past. I can only change my perception and attitude toward it. It does not serve my well-being to hold resentments, guilt or judgments. Forgiveness starts with myself as well as others.
- Gratitude: Be an attitude of gratitude. Open my heart to the vibration of beauty, abundance and life.
- Celebrate You: Say Yes to YOU! I am the gift I bring to the world. Connect to my faith and Spirit. Be gentle and loving. Notice my everyday wins, from tiny progress to mega steps!
- Play: We are all energy! Use it consciously. As an adult, release the serious side you play with too frequently. Allow myself to feel the essence of freedom, joy and happiness that is deep inside. Remember what I loved to play and do as a child.
Ever notice when we are around people who resonate at a lighter vibe, they bring more joy, happiness into our environment? A scene from an old movie, “When Harry Met Sally” comes to my mind with light-hearted laughter. While in a restaurant having dinner conversation, Sally exhibits an orgasmic moment much to the surprise of her companion. A woman watching from another table interrupts the waiter to say, “I’ll have what she’s having!”
What is one action step you can take today for greater “self- mothering”?
