To My Daughters....

Hello, my beautiful daughters, mom here....

Always remember - You. Are. Powerful.  And everything you need to be the best person you can, is right there, inside you.  Often, we don't see it.  Or can't acknowledge it.  It's easier to say, 'I just can't do it!"  But, I have learned in my years, that I CAN do it. And so can you.  Whatever "IT" is.

Sometimes, as women, we try to 'dumb ourselves down' - to feel accepted by others.  DON'T.  The two of you are so strong, so intelligent, and have so much to give this world!  If others don't get it, that's not your fault.  BE the lovely women that you ARE, every moment of every day. Others might not understand that light that is inside you.  Shine brightly, anyway.

Remember, you matter!  Your thoughts matter.  Your feelings matter.  Your opinions matter!  Your ideas matter! You have a right to be heard, and not silenced, or teased, or made to feel small. Don't let anyone do that to you!

In order to have what it takes to care for others, you must care for yourself, first.  That's a concept that was pretty foreign to me, your mom.  I was taught that it was always others first.  But you cannot be there in a healthy way for others unless you have filled yourself with whatever it is you need to be full of energy and light...whether that be quiet time, a hot bath, a nap, meditation, yoga, prayer, time to cry or be angry, whatever.  Give yourself what you need.  Then and only then will you have what it takes to be effective and happy in the world.

Never give up your power.  It is so easy to do, sometimes! Sometimes we feel that 'inner child' coming out, and feel like we have to give up and live small and let others do it for us.  Catch yourself when that happens.  Reassure that inner child that you, your adult self, is in charge.  Take back that power before you become so vulnerable that you are hurt or abused.

Always remember - You Are Powerful.  You Are Amazing.  You Are a Bright Light in this World.  Shine!

All my love,

Mom

We All Do The Best We Can...

Hi kids, mom here....

One thing I hope you all will find in your own hearts is compassion.  I have come to believe that even though we don't always do the 'right' thing, or make the 'right' choice, or do what others think we 'should' do..........I truly believe we are all going about our lives, and doing the best we can with the information we have available to us in that moment.

Sometimes it's so difficult not to judge others.  We see someone doing something we don't agree with, or making a life choice that we think is really stupid or lame or just plain wrong.  Instead of judging, can we try to put ourselves in that person's shoes, instead?  We don't know that person's life.  We can't feel what they are feeling, we don't understand what makes them who they are, or what makes them make choices we think are wrong........

Sometimes, some of us get stuck in certain ways of being, and we don't know how to get out of those ways.  Sometimes, we can't even see that we are stuck....but everyone around us can see!  And it's frustrating to see those we love make the same mistakes again and again, and we feel like 'throwing in the towel' where they are concerned.  But it's not easy to be stuck in a certain way of being...even if we understand it's not the best way for us!  Sometimes, we think we don't have choices...even though we do!

I guess all I'm trying to say, my lovely children, is be compassionate to others as much as you can, even if they drive you crazy!  Until we have walked in their shoes, we cannot understand.  And if we can't truly understand, how can we judge?

Love to you all,

Mom

Saturday Morning

Hello Children, mom here...

This morning I am sitting here writing to you in the quiet of my home.  I was supposed to be having a meeting with a friend right about now, but, alas, she cancelled at the last minute.  So here I sit, all ready to go out, and nowhere to go....a bit frustrated, but there it is.

While frustrated (and a bit annoyed I didn't get to sleep in when I really could have!), as  I sit here in the quiet of this morning, I am also filled with gratitude.  I have so much to be grateful for!  I have you three amazing, and wonderful children in my life.  And a new son-in-law.  And a grandson that brings a surge of joy every single time I look at his tiny face. Wow. Such blessings.

And I realize, that my life is becoming 'bigger'.  Remember those years, not-so-long ago, when I never could summon the strength or courage to even go outside the house?  Well, those years seem distant, now, and I feel my life growing in strength every single day.  There are so many more people in it than there ever was before.  Good, good friends that I love and appreciate, and who love and appreciate me, too.  A job I NEVER expected to have, with responsibilities that I couldn't have imagined I would be able to handle just a few years ago.  Working with people that I love, in capacities that still amaze me.  I am not who I was, before.  And it makes me realize just how much people can change, when they are willing and have the support in which to do so.

I don't have much by the world's standards, but I have everything I need, and more.  I love my life, every single day.

And I love you all, with all my heart...

Mom