October 25th, 2009
Gracias a La Vida….Que me ha dado tanto
Mercedes Sosa, legendary folk singer from Argentina (and mother of one), died recently at age 74. Her voice was one of immense power and conviction, and she used her gift of song through a lifetime of working towards social justice. She was also the mother of one child. Her most famous song, perhaps, is Gracias a La Vida, from poet Violeta Parra, and when you hear her voice carry these words, you cannot helpful but feel gratitude.
Gracias a La Vida – Thank You to Life. Ok, it doesn’t sound nearly as good in english, and a translation here simply will not do justice to the beauty of this song. Even if you don’t speak Spanish, the power of her voice will carry you. At the core is a deep thankfulness for the beauty of our being in the world.
In honour of Mercedes, and in honour of the beauty of your own life, we encourage you to live this day (and this lifetime!) in gratitude.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d_h5CZPyjQ
***************
What are you thankful for today?
Tags: gracias a la vida, gratitude, mercedes sosa
[ 0 comments ]
October 16th, 2009
You know the feeling. You’re thirsty. But you’ve pushed the sensation aside in favour of making school lunches or just one more chapter of a good book. By the time you get around to having a drink you are parched, and find yourself guzzling rather than sipping.
We’ve been working with mothers long enough to know that moms are really, really good at delaying that metaphorical sip of water. We’re good at talking about our desire for self-care, our longing for balance, and the challenges we’re facing, and not always so good at taking steps towards change. The busy nature of family life too often takes precedence, and our needs are set aside.
We got a registration the other day from a mother wanting to join one of our Mama Renew groups. She described her eager anticipation of the group, “My spirit feels like its about to drink a big, needed glass of water.” She captured the essence of Mama Renew perfectly.
Many mothers are doing great things with their free time – yoga classes, book clubs, choirs and more. Each of these has the potential to nurture and inspire, and build a community of support. There’s something different, however, about the Mama Renew journey. When we go beyond sips and take the time to enjoy a long cool class of water, we experience a deeper level of nourishing and growth.
Whether your life right now is crazy full or deliciously slow, we hope you’re taking some great big gulps along the way. Dig deeper, celebrate self-care, create balance, delight in your successes, take risks, live adventures…
Renew, Mamas, Renew!
Tags: dehydration, motherhood, self-care, thirsty
[ 0 comments ]
September 29th, 2009
Stop and reflect for a moment.
If you look through your family photos, how many images include you?
Even more telling, are there any photos just of you?
Not you breastfeeding, not you with a toddler swinging off your hip in a sling, not you on a family hike, not you pushing a swing. Just you. On your own.
Imagine.
If you have been wise enough to include such photos in the family collection, we applaud you. We’re guessing, however, that you’re a lot like the rest of us and maybe only have a few, and of these maybe only one that you actually like. Or maybe even none at all.
In a recent Mama Renew group my dear friend Nancy, photographer extraordinaire, gifted each woman participating with a photo session. Just for us. No kids allowed. No partner. Just mama.
What a beautiful gift. And a perfect way to strike absolute terror into my heart. Just of me? I tried to bargain, asking to include the kids. At the root was my fear – what if I didn’t like what I saw?
Soon after my 40th birthday Nancy reintroduced me to myself through her lens. She came with not only her camera, but the desire to capture my way of being in the world. Her images will serve as a testimony to my unique beauty, and who I am as woman today.
Thank you, Nancy!
***************
Our Mama Renew challenge to all of you? Find a Nancy.
She may be a professional photographer, or a dear friend.
Let yourself be seen through someone else’s eye –
and may you find beauty in your own reflection.
Tags: family photos, motherhood, mothering, photography, self-care
[ 0 comments ]
© 2009 Mothering Magazine