My present mama neurosis

I waited a long time to be a mama. It's the hardest work I've ever known. More challenging than the pressure of meeting funding deadlines. Harder than working with the most difficult personalities in trying to pull a project together. Not to mention physically and emotionally demanding too, especially being an at home mama (at 40).  As a child, I was never much for napping. But now, love my naps - when I can squeeze them in.  When we created our wills & such, our attorney (clearly a grandfather for many years now) delightfully commented that it's certainly not easy having a baby in our 40s. And yet, I would have it no other way.

As someone who married and had children late (by traditional Filipino and perhaps socioculturally accepted standards too), I sometimes guffawed at those women who claimed "mommy brain" at work. Thankfully, most of my mama friends who've been moms for a long time now have been excellent role models. Before I had N., they've always returned my phone calls or emails within a reasonable timeframe. We've always managed to carve out time to catch up -- yes, even with kids.  

But yes, now I get it. The madness of the day-to-day with a child. And I currently only have one! The time gets away from me -- from the moment she stirs, wakes and smiles in the morning to each feeding, play, nap, bath time and finally bed. Then it starts all over again. And in between, I'm fretting about whether or not I'm encouraging her development enough -- physical, cognitive, socioemotional, language, sensory and motor skills. (After all, I spent all of last summer writing a 140-page funding proposal on early childhood development.) Am I doing enough so that she meets her milestones? This mama neurosis of mine can be exasperating.

I come back to my present. N. She is my present. 

Slow dance in January

january's bareless trees 

sway in soft step

time minuets 

of three-fourths cadence

2013 - Year of what?

Inspired by New Year's Meditation with C.

2013.  Year of what? For some it's the year of the snake. For others, it's the year of what's to come - new loves, new relationships, new careers, new ways of being. O sweet breath! I don't ever stop listening to my almost five-month-old's or my husband's breathing.  I'm constantly making sure that they are breathing when they are asleep, breathing fine when they are awake.  O sweet breath! They are part of my heart's Light.

Then there's the other breath.  To take a moment to breathe in, to refresh. 2013.  Year of what?  A new year seems to always be an opportunity to start anew.  Mull over our downs and ups and appreciate our growth in the past year.  (Forget who did what to us or what we did to others and move on.  Stop beating ourselves up for what didn't happen exactly as we would have liked.)  Appreciate how we can evolve in the upcoming year.  (Not let fear of the unknown overwhelm us.)  Make a commitment to follow our hearts.  

But what does that mean?    

Sit for a moment.  And just be.  Listen to our Spirit guide.  Maybe through intention, meditation, prayer. Or any combination. Do allow ourselves a sweet breath.  O sweet breath!  

My new year's wish for you?  Be graced.

A family friend, C., was generous enough to gift this new year's meditation, a most soothing mindful moment.  I'd love to share it with you - New Year's Meditation with C. (For more information, please visit C. at www.solazzare.com.)