It is vitally important for mommies to remain well.
My harrowing assessment at Hampshire Wellness and Fitness this afternoon drove that point home in patriotic technicolor: my face was red, my knuckles were white, and my lips were blue. Fortunately, my intake angel was encouraging and didn't make me feel like a total loser. I have work to do on my physical body--that much I knew. I always feel better when I excercise regularly, eat right and keep my weight under control. This is doable. The aforementioned angel asked me if I wanted to set goals for the year. The year? I would like to make it through today without too many peanut M&Ms. I just smiled politely at her suggestion. Little bites (completely figurative speech). I am happy to take baby steps as long as I make it across the floor eventually. I look forward to hiking non-handicap accessible trails with my brother and my children next summer when we camp. I want to play basketball with my 12-year-old and tennis with my teens. I have to remain physically well to do that.
Those who are personally acquainted with me will not believe the next thing I'm about to say. I am an introvert--one with highly cultivated communication skills, but an introvert nonetheless. I recently completed a personality test for which I had to answer questions about de-stressing. Hands down, I require solitude. I always thought there was something wrong with me because my best friend is alive in a group of women and I'm not. She enjoys having her friends and all of their children at her house. I go out of my gourd in that sort of setting. I don't understand the group dynamics involved. I don't talk out my problems--I write my way through them. I don't go out with my friends to get away from it all--I read. Those are the traits of an introvert. I mention this because I feel better knowing this about myself. I am relieved of social guilt. Mommies need to spend time thinking about themselves. We need to give ourselves permission to be the people we were designed to be. How many times have I bellowed at my dear ones: "I was not born to serve you! I am a person and you need to treat me like one!" They look at me as if I've lost my mind. Don't get me wrong; we can't abandon our families to go off on a lark in search of self. Simply, we just can't forget to schedule ourselves into the day planner.
I also believe that we cannot neglect our spiritual selves. I have found that if I don't chase God with my whole heart, I lose focus. I purpose in my heart to spend quiet moments daily with the One I love best (and Who I believe loves me best). I'm not always successful, but I always try. I do this in any number of ways. Sometimes I take time alone with my Bible, other times I think about the amazing way nature has been put together. Sometimes I sing, and other times I just listen. I am totally fascinated by the creative side of God. I appreciate the design, so I often respond to Him by making something. These things anchor me to a Power greater than myself. As a person who likes to be in charge, I am comforted in knowing I might be in charge, but I am not the most powerful. When I am on solid spiritual footing, I am a more peaceful mother. I am better able to listen with my heart because it's well-acquainted with listening.
In a nutshell, mommies need to be well or nobody in the house will be. We can't give our families what we don't have. My mantra to one of my young mommy friends is this: put your feet up, put your feet up. That poor, tired girl just rolls her eyes at me and says, "Yeah, right. I wish." I'm going to keep working on her. And you, too. :-)
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