Julie FordOne of my besties gave me a shirt that says, “Namaste ALL DAY.”
It translates several ways – “the light in me sees the light in you” or “the God in me sees/honors the God in you.” Last week I was wearing it while reading through posts and comments about “types of moms we hate.” The article was slightly tongue-in-cheek, but it rubbed me the wrong way.
Parents are criticized from every direction, well-meaning or not. It made me turn inward to the support I seek to give. I certainly intend to honor my fellow parents out there, but perhaps by posting what’s working at my house (rather than highlighting the epic fails which can happen just as often) I may come across as catty and/or arrogant. That’s the last thing I’m after.
I designed a simple t-shirt for Mother’s Day (everyday, actually) that embodies what I’m after… parents honoring parents, SEEing other parents and honoring the colossal job that it can be sometimes. Raising the next generation is important work. It’s full time even when it’s part-time. I know I need support.
Momaste. The mom in me honors the mom (or dad) in you.
Sometimes that support can be as little as a look in the grocery store when you’re about to lose it. The “I see you, I get you, I’m with you” look. You know it. I know it. It’s a day-changer. It lowers the shoulders and the blood pressure and might even bring a smile.
Give that. Be that. Spread that.
The mess in me honors the mess in you.
The dirty clothes on my floor honor the dirty clothes on your floor.
The yell hiding in me honors the yell hiding in you.
The nap I won’t be taking honors the nap you won’t be taking.
The wine in me honors the wine in you.
Let another mom know that you see her.
Contact me if you’d like to send her a t-shirt. Or just let someone know, momaste!
And momaste to you. (Or dadaste…)
Julie Ford is a certified life coach, author and speaker. She helps organizations support their high performers through parenting transitions. With one-on-one and group coaching, she helps her clients to define what matters most in their lives, and to realize what is and isn’t working. Collaboratively, they move through a customized plan to find more joy and less chaos in the everyday.
