To all of the gorgeous, hard working Mamas out there, I offer this bit of insight for whatever it’s worth...
Are you a mom who thinks it would be wonderful to find time for meditation, journaling, or other ways toward spiritual growth?
Yet, time seems to slide through your fingers like precious, fine sand; the day is over, you’re exhausted and the aforementioned is pushed to the wayside for much needed rest.
It’s not easy to be on a Spiritual path when you’re a working mother
Having children creates a daily structures revolving solely around them. Wake times, meal times, nap times, TV times, bedtimes; it is the rhythm we live by. Of course, if you’re a working mother, some of this has to fit in while getting ready to run out the door to work; no matter how much we love our kids, caring for them can feel like a job before going to your job! There are so many roles beyond mamahood to be filled within careers and families; wife, sister, daughter, co-worker, entrepreneur... the list goes on.
"Role out of bed, turn on the coffee and meditate. "
After work and on days off there are dinners to be made, errands to be run, holidays to prepare for, houses to clean, dogs to walk. Those of us that are blessed with partners have someone to co-create a household that seems to be a living breathing thing in need of constant attention.
Where on earth do we fit in time for ourselves, never mind time for a daily Spiritual focus?
"...surrendering to their needs and participating in family life mindfully"
It may not always be easy, but it’s worth it. There are two ways that I keep myself on a Spiritual Path everyday. The first is to set aside specific time to meditate, journal and study. The only time I can do this is early, early… early AM. I usually wake up between four to five-thirty in the morning. I dive right into meditation… why? No, not because I necessarily want to, but because if I don’t… I won’t. Yes, I would LOVE to drink my coffee first, check Facebook or start writing. If I do that, however, meditation simply won’t happen. So I give myself a necessary “kick in the pants” and just do it. After that I get to have my coffee and take time to journal or study the various Spiritual Teachers I admire. Even if you do not want to continue into studying and feel like meditation is enough, than this is the first method I recommend.
Role out of bed, turn on the coffee and meditate.
The second way that I keep myself on a Spiritual Path is simply this, recognizing the absolute commitment I have to my family, surrendering to their needs and participating in family life mindfully. There are times I wake early, sit comfortable in meditation... and my two year old wakes up calling for Mama. I could get frustrated. And, I’m not perfect, sometimes I do feel that way. Yet, I calm myself through breath with the mantra, “I am dedicated to Mamahood, I am disciplined and provide for my family in earnest”. Then when I attend to my daughter, I feel calm and surrender to the “inconvenience”.
"Mamahood is an opportunity for Spiritual Growth in and of itself."
After all, isn’t Mamahood filled with things we didn’t plan for? This lends itself to flexibility; flexibility is the way of the Tao. The Tao calls us to simply allow ourselves to flow with the Natural Order of Life. With practice, flowing with Motherhood can feel simple and peaceful even when it seems like an interruption.
Mamahood is an opportunity for Spiritual Growth in and of itself. It offers us opportunities for self-discipline, flexibility, love, tollerane, kindness and altruistic giving. It offers us moments to celebrate the most tiny successes, to recognize the absolute perfection of new and expanding life, and periods of mindfulness as we gaze in awe at our sleeping children, simply watching their chests rise and fall as we listen to them breath.
What could be more Spiritual than that?
To all of the gorgeous, hard working Mamas out there, I offer this bit of insight for whatever it’s worth; the endeavor of motherhood, birthing life and nurturing its growth, is the most profound journey any human can embark on. It is the essence of Spirituality. Beyond that, a practice of self discipline and conscious self exploration will simply allow you to understand what your soul already knows; that you are the heartbeat of your family…
...and there is nothing more close to Spirit than that.
Sarah is a Yoga psychotherapist and life coach specializing in prenatal and postpartum women battling anxiety, eating disorders and body shame. Sarah works virtually with women around the country and in-person in Middleboro, Massachusetts. Here is a FREE 7 minute VIDEO of a wonderful Yoga posture to help with these specific issues. Click here to apply for a free consultation with Sarah.
"I would love to hear from you and am grateful for your interest! You deserve to enjoy your body, your baby and your life, I believe Yoga Psychotherapy can help" - Sara
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