We all know our thoughts are powerful. Each of us has a variety of different messages we tell ourselves on a daily basis. But for many of us, these messages are full of self-criticism and negativity. What if we trained our minds to be on constant default to a positive thought? If we looked a criticism in the eye, acknowledged it, and then followed up with a positive mantra?
A couple of months ago, I was participating in a Twitter party focused on self-care, and one of the questions was: What is your greatest strength as a mom? A friend of mine on Twitter answered wisely: “That I am enough.”
Yes.
The phrase struck a chord so deeply within me. There have been so many moments of motherhood where I’ve doubted myself, and my abilities as a parent. I’ve questioned whether I’m doing a good job in raising kind, compassionate and caring human beings, and what kind of role model I am for both my son and daughter.
But here’s the thing: self-compassion and self-love are the foundation of inner peace. When we are at peace with ourselves, our kids see that. And feel it. The greatest gift we can give our children is to be content within ourselves. There are always going to be things, “I could be better at,” or, “I should have done” or “I wish I had.” But these “things” don’t affect who we truly are. We are already enough.
What if, instead of beating ourselves up over a bad parenting moment, we can recognize it for just that—a bad parenting moment—and move on. But move on knowing that: we are enough. Or—if we screw up something (because we all do!)—we take responsibility for our actions, learn what not to do next time, and remind ourselves: we are enough.
There are going to be all sorts of hurdles and challenges and difficult situations—in both our own and our kids’ lives—that we have no control over. But the one thing we do have control over is the way we treat ourselves, and the way we think about ourselves.
I propose that we all adopt a new mantra for motherhood and that we practice saying it daily, over and over. Say it with me: I am enough.
I. Am. Enough.
Because we are.
PS—I also have a mantra about dirty clothes. Read about how I find zen amidst the laundry. Or learn from my mistakes and find out how I almost missed a huge cue from my daughter in a time I needed to listen most.
There is power in movement.
Writers have long credited going for a walk or simply moving their bodies for breaking through creative blocks. Actors and dancers use their bodies as instruments to communicate ideas and tell stories. Many of us use exercise as a means to release stress. And on a more basic level, we all rely on our bodies daily to perform numerous small and big tasks. But how often do we take for granted our ability to move without impediment? Until we are physically sidelined—by injury or illness—how much do we truly appreciate the power of movement?
Imagine a day when the simplest task becomes uncomfortable, or in some cases painstakingly difficult—for you, or your child. Because arthritis and auto-immune disorders are not age-ist. They affect kids, young parents, and middle-aged society without prejudice.
Consider these statistics:
Arthritis and rheumatic conditions currently affect nearly 4.5 MILLION Canadians
Arthritis is among the TOP THREE most common chronic diseases in Canada.
Arthritis affects nearly twice as many women as men
Each year almost 44,000 surgical procedures are carried out in Ontario specifically for arthritis and related disorders
This Sunday I’m celebrating the ability to move my body by doing yoga to raise funds for arthritis research. This is the second year I’ve been involved in the Power of Movement, Canada’s largest yoga fundraiser. It is a national initiative, and you can join a class in your city or join in by doing yoga at home in honour of the cause.
I’m co-leading the fantastic Whole Living Team with my friend and fabulous yoga teacher Lisa Barkin. We’ll be hitting the mat with hundreds of others in a class led by @jason_crandell.
I want my parents, my in-laws, my husband, not to mention my kids, to be moving freely for many, many years to come, which is why I support this cause so passionately. I hope you’ll consider checking out a Power of Movement class in your neighbourhood or, if you feel inclined, making a donation to such a worthy cause.
Here’s to celebrating the power of movement!
Read about how my clients originally inspired me to join this movement here.
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