Happy Mothers Day! My mom has been gone for 16 years. My mother-in-law is also no longer here with us (those are blooms from the orchid plants she once nurtured and I inherited–you might recognize them from my balance and joy blog.)
I am thankful for the time these wonderful women were here and am also grateful for the other women who “mother” me in their own ways.
The concept of nurturing is a lovely one. Performed from a place of love and trust, free from expectations, joy returns to us ten and twenty fold. We nurture our gardens, our family, our friends, our homes, our attitudes. Sometimes, returns are immediate–other times not so. But all nurturing counts.
On Mother’s Day, we could easily fall into the trap of expecting much, and perhaps setting ourselves up for disappointment. Good mothers and “motherly” women all deserve breakfast in bed, the house cleaned, massages, and bubble baths, and presents galore … but our Mother’s Days may not all fit the Hallmark card mold.
Whether they do or don’t … the joy and goodness of nurturing remains.
In honor of Mother’s Day, and just for fun, will you join me in an experiment? For the rest of May, in full awareness and intent, let’s nurture every situation, person, and place we meet–and that includes the person who greets us in the mirror!
Maybe we use funny faces to distract a crying child in the supermarket line so a stressed mother can complete her order and pay–her thankful smile and our joy in giving is reward.
Maybe we talk sweetly to a barking dog behind a fence on our morning walk–and he quiets long enough to listen. We can imagine a tired neighbor drifting back to sleep. . . .
Helping a wayward ladybug off the car window may save someone’s precious plants from invading aphids. Our nurturing spreads outward in countless blessings.
Nurturing comes in many forms. See what you can creatively view as nurturing. It feels good.
Enjoy, and be well. Wishing you much abundance, love, and happiness.
Sheri McGregor
