With Mother’s Day on Sunday, it brings a great deal of emotion for many of us.
Mothers are defined by society as having given birth to children or women raising children. Some people have had wonderful mothers, while others may not have had good experiences, nor a mother figure in their lives I believe what makes a great mother is not the traditional definition of motherhood but rather the qualities that define being a mother. The spirit of motherhood is not based on gender – it is the ability to love unconditionally.
Mothering shows up in our lives in so many ways. When we think of mothering, the qualities that come to mind are being loving, caring, nurturing, compassionate, kind, affectionate, protective and supportive, among others. We may not have experienced receiving this but many of us practice these qualities with the people we love – we find love and care in a stranger or receive love and care from a teacher.
In many ways, we are all mothers. Perhaps you have helped a colleague or friend though hard times; maybe you cared for and nurtured someone who needed that care; often you have shown love to and compassion for people around you. You have embodied the qualities of a mother.
The soul of mothering is giving what the receiver needs in the moment – whether it is care, compassion, kindness or fierce protection. Mothering shows up us for when we have people around us championing us and fighting for us, or when we are the champions for others.
We get to be mothers whether we are defined as mothers or not. We get to be and receive unconditional love.
Take a moment to notice the mothering around you – not just witnessing mothers with their children, but noticing the people around you who embody the spirit of motherhood.
Now take a moment to be a mother to yourself:
- What do you need in this moment?
- What words do you need to hear in this moment?
- What beliefs have you been thinking about yourself that do not serve you? Give yourself the words you need to shift this belief to the truth and away from the belief that you previously held.
- Give yourself a hug. Remind yourself that you are loved – you are loved unconditionally by Source/God/Goddess/Universe.
This weekend, I invite you to celebrate the mothers in your life and celebrate within you the spirit of motherhood, whether you are a mother or not. Someone had a better day because you were in it.
Blessed Mother’s Day!
Santa
Loved your comments on motherhood. That said, it’s worrisome and sometimes gut-wrenching when you’re a mother from a distance. How to let go? Or even whether you should. It’s also difficult to “be a mother to yourself” — to know how to do it.