Spiritual Parenting with Mimi Doe

Moms Don't Get Sick

I've always been a bit cocky about my "I never get sick" mantra.  In truth, I am so grateful for my abundant good health that when I was struck with the nasty flu two weeks ago I was caught off guard.  I ended up in the emergency room and only now, two weeks later, am I feeling the surge of energy I know as "me."

There is a silver lining, I believe, to being "knocked out" by illness.  Somehow it is as if the fever burns off what you don't need.  For instance, I found that I couldn't read, couldn't watch television and couldn't even listen to my ipod for over a week.  I would pause from work that had to be done and literally just sit with my eyes closed.  It was sort of a forced meditation away from life.  I also found I kicked my latte a day habit.  It's as if I've lost the taste for it and a simple cup of green tea is all I now crave.

If you find yourself one of the many flu statistics this year...take heart...It's a way your body forces your to rest and almost re/boot your senses.  Food tastes different...calm is required...and your outlook can shift.  I have so much more empathy for those with chronic illness.  How do they find the stamina to get out of bed and get dressed much less have the space for creative ideas to flow?

Wash your hands a lot, carry Purell everywhere you go, get enough sleep, get MORE than enough sleep, eat your 5 fruits/veggies each day, pick up some EmergenC to fuel you with C and electrolytes, drink lots of water and then stock up the pantry with saltines, chicken noodle soup, and ginger ale, just in case.

Take Care of YOU....

Ok, your kids are back in school and you’ve begun adjusting to the new fall rhythm. Or, perhaps your kids are adjusting better than you are. Do you find you are so busy taking care of everyone’s needs you can’t catch your breath? Do you feel responsible for so much at work and home that you don’t think you’ll ever be able to come up for air, much less pause and connect to Spirit? 

 

It doesn’t take a trip to Canyon Ranch Spa or an esoteric revelation to feel better. It simply takes a little imagination, the intention to care for yourself, and a willingness to actually take the time to do so. When you feel cared for, your kids enjoy the happy repercussions.

Make taking care of yourself a priority this week by choosing one of the actions below and following through.

 

*Dive into some soulful reading.  Turn down the volume of your racing thoughts and pick up an inspirational book or a great piece of fiction.  I love “Peace Like a River” by Leif Enger and “The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd. Both stories are full of spiritual significance, rich characters, and swiftly moving plot lines. 

*Call that friend who makes you laugh until you cry. A huge belly laugh can zap you right into bliss.

*Refresh and revitalize by giving yourself the gift of 15 minutes of creative think-time. Yup, just you, a notebook, and a good pen. You might grab this time while waiting to pick up a child or on your lunch hour. Sink into the solitude and allow the ideas to fill  the page. You might explore by writing your response to the following questions: How do I feel? What do I need? If I could, I would………………… !

 *Plan a trip. Even if you don’t have a date in mind or savings in the bank, pretend you are traveling to the destination of your dreams. When you need a dose of “feel good balm,” get out your trip folder and add tidbits from your research on the internet or simply look at what you’ve gathered and visualize yourself there.

*Fill a pitcher with purified water and lemons and allow yourself to pause throughout the day to take in the healing liquid. You will quench more than just your thirst.  

*Dig in the garden. For some parents, taking care of one more living thing sends them over the edge. For others, getting their hands in the dirt is an immediate mood lifter.

*Call your spiritual mentor. Don’t have one? Call a prayer hotline and allow the person who lovingly answers the phones to be with you for a moment in complete focused prayer. Not only will you feel better, but you will open your armor a crack for miracles to slip right in. One organization that is there to support you through prayer is Silent Unity. Prayer is for anyone who requests it, whatever denomination, creed, or location in the world. Each prayer requested is held within the daily vigil for 30 days.Call: 816-969-2000.

I'll be with you in seeking spiritual nurturing!!!

 

Happy Mother's Day

I wrote this prayer a few years ago and have received hundreds of requests for it.  So...here it is again!  Happy Mother's Day to you from me...

MOTHER'S PRAYER

By: Mimi Doe, Founder of SpiritualParenting.com

May I reach my highest and best Divine potential as a mom.
May I remain compassionate and mindful without losing my self.
May I craft a life of loving and supporting my child without pressuring or controlling.
May I overcome my limitations and fears so that I envelop and support wonder and magic in my household.
May I empower my child with love.
May I feel that circle of love wrap back around me and lift my spirit.

(pass it on to your favorite mom...)

Mystic Mom

Our culture does not consider mothering a creative activity, in my opinion.  We are termed "soccer" moms even though only 9% of us have children who play soccer.  We are routinely pictured driving mini vans with exhausted expressions on our faces, even though more moms in America drive pick up trucks. We are stereotyped as "dumbing down" if we choose to stay at home during our children's growing up years and we are portrayed as neglectful if we decide to remain in the work force.

I think mothers are mystics, following our deepest gut feelings about our children, knowing what they need before they even know themselves, calling on resources and power most ordinary mortals have never needed to access.  We do this while cooking the meals, driving the carpools, writing the memos, and balancing the checkbooks.

The mystics we read about have only utilized what we all have access to -- an immediate connection with the Infinite.  Are we allowing the Divine to be heard in our busy lives?

Rainer Maria Rilke said he felt as if he were taking "divine dictation" when he wrote his moving works. William Blake said that his poems were dictated by angels. 

Athletes call it "the zone."  It takes discipline and determination to have the strength to enter the zone but we moms have that. 

Mystic Moms Unite!

Take action on your deepest gut feelings.  Create a practice of going within for guidance for even the most ordinary of decisions.  Cut down on the noise and frenzy in your life.  Make choices for calm.

Mothering is the most creative of activities and enlivens and deepens our relationships as well as our mystical, spiritual, glorious selves.

How are you creative, mystical, and inspired today?