Steady Mom

a word about working mothers

Photo by sabianmaggy

you are one.

I don't care where you go or where you stay, if you are a mother, you're most definitely a working one.

Moms who work outside the home have my complete awe and respect. They juggle many balls that I wouldn't care to juggle, and they do so with grace, energy, and flexibility.

Moms who work at home juggle a tremendous amount as well. We also stare both our strengths and our weaknesses in the face 24/7. This takes courage.

I call myself a work-at-home mother, not because I earn money from my writing, but because I work. all day long. at home.

Raising children requires the best we have to offer, no matter how we approach it. Let's give each other the respect we deserve--as women, as people, as working mothers.

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a moment of silence

Thank you all for the love you sent to Robyn and her family yesterday. I sat in front of my laptop, reading your comments, tears streaming down my face. I could honestly feel the warmth of your prayers from across the globe.

Somehow it feels premature to leave the quiet, the stillness, of that place.

In the quiet, we cry and grieve.

In the quiet, we hear the Voice we need most of all.

In the quiet, we heal.

Is there some place in your life in need of a moment of silence?

May I encourage all of us, to stop the frantic analyzing and searching and wondering that crowds out life's beauty. Instead, let's take this one day to let the quiet to wash over us.

Look for the sacred in the stillness.

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an idea whose time has come

my idea journal--you need one, too

Two years ago I shared the story behind Steady Days. The idea for that book came from my husband.

The idea for Mindset for Moms, on the other hand, came from the bathtub. Well, I mean I was taking a bath at the time.

I had been tossing around the thought of writing an e-book for a while, but didn't want to do it unless I had a unique message that I also had the experience and passion to write about.

Getting out of the bath, I put on clothes and came rushing to my desk--thoughts for all the chapters streaming from my mind. I grabbed my journal and started writing furiously to get it all down before it escaped me.

I knew it was an inspired idea.

I used to think ideas were hard to come by. Now I realize that by thinking that way I pushed some of them away.

A mother's intuition provides constant feedback throughout our day. I believe it is part of the way in which God speaks to us, giving the guidance we so desperately need.

But if you're like me, you've rationalized and analyzed that little voice away. When our mind is constantly racing with a million thoughts we miss the ideas that come.

Pay attention to your inspired ideas. They contain the fuel for an inspired life.

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for days when you've had little sleep

Go take a nap.

Take a break; you don't have to always force yourself through the same lifeless routine when that's not what your body really needs.

Wait until the routine has energy behind it again--that's when it also has power. Life will still be there when you return.

If you need to have someone give you permission, here it is: It's okay to take a break.

(And now you know why this post is so short--I'm practicing what I preach.)

 

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the prerequisite for joy

The prerequisite for joy is awareness.

With it, we see joy everywhere:

- in perfectly-shaped, icy cat tracks
- in the first snow of winter
- in birthday party cleanup
- in wet boots and muddy gloves

Without awareness, joy remains elusive: lost in a mire of details and busyness, hidden behind tasks on a to-do list.

A big goal of my new, upcoming project (launching in 5 days--eek!) is helping moms cultivate awareness so that we can cultivate joy.

We may be sleep-deprived or have a million concerns. Awareness of daily beauty and earthly joy can transform them all...if we'll only let it.

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