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Are You Content?

by Sue Dyson

If you're content, totally content with who you are, with being a mom, you want nothing more out of life, that niggling "is this it?" question is nonexistent for you - well, scroll to the end of this article.

If you've spent any part of any day feeling empty inside even though you are very, very busy, listen up.

Motherhood can be a thankless job at times. If we became moms expecting to receive praise for what we do, we must have been delusional. We are all aware of the things we do to keep a family functioning without anyone else's awareness. If you wait for praise for all you do, stop right now. I don't mean to sound cynical. I'm not. Motherhood is the greatest thing to ever happen to me. I highly encourage anyone to take it on. It has been an incredible vehicle for spiritual growth. As much as we love our family, there are those times when you may yearn for "a little something more".

This is normal!!! Whatever you feel is normal. It's your soul speaking to you and it's important to listen up. It's just as normal to be content and joyous with devoting yourself solely (and soul-ly) to mothering. Neither is better than the other.

If you aren't feeling absolutely joyous about life, it's time to search for your passion. Search for whatever provides you with an abundance of joy.

This is the point of life.

Joy. Living in Joy.

We hesitate sometimes, when we believe we should be content with our children as our source of joy. We need more. We are women first, mothers second. It is healthy to desire outside interests.

You may have outside interests already, they just aren't yours. I'm talking about soul-filling interests. A little something just for you that fills your cup, makes you feel rejuvenated and ready to take on life again.

What a soul-filling activity is not:

It is not a volunteer activity you've taken on just because nobody else is doing it. Sometimes we do these things. Sometimes it's no big deal to do them. We need to balance our lives, though, and put a little soul-filling time in there too.

Volunteering on the Parent Advisory board, commitments through your kids' school, coaching a sports team you aren't thrilled about do not count as soul-filling interests unless you intend for them to be.

It is not running errands. Errands don't count as alone time and don't let anyone try to convince you otherwise, because they will!

It is not staying home to do housework while your partner takes all the kids and the dog out for an hour or so.

All of these could be soul-filling with the right mindset, but until we're in that place, you need to consciously allow yourself time alone to fill your cup back up.

Don't kid yourself and don't short change yourself. You deserve the best in life.

What a soul-filling activity is:

Take yourself, your journal and a pen to a coffee shop, beach or library. Go just for a little while until you get the hang of it. I promise it won't take long!

Push yourself physically at a new activity such as learning to rock climb, swimming more laps than before, kayaking, running -- or walking, if that's where you're at. Graduate to organizing activities with girlfriends.

Simply be alone and quiet, meditate, listen, or watch others.

Get out the art supplies. YOUR art supplies. Use really nice art paper, not craft paper from the dollar store. Although I suppose that would do in a pinch.

Write down your dreams, visions and goals without interruption.

Browse in a book store without any children with you. Hmmm. Imagine.

Give yourself time, decide for yourself, with purpose, what would be soul-filling. It won't take long once you put your excellent mothering mind to work.

If you aren't happy in your present situation, consciously choose to become happier. Change your life in a positive manner. This is done initially by creating time for yourself, for what YOU need. It may take a little getting used to. It may mean training the whole family to respect 'mommy-time'.

We reward ourselves for a job well done. Value yourself. Value your time enough to consciously choose how you want your life to be. What a beautiful goal for yourself. What a beautiful gift for yourself. Indulge.





The information contained above is intended for general reference purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified professional.

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