Are you mothering with soul?
How would you know if you were?
A gorgeous new card deck helps mothers slow down, take a moment for themselves, and find a deeper connection to soul. My friend, writer Elizabeth Marglin, has just released The Mother’s Wisdom Deck, co-authored with Niki Dewart and with lovely illustrations by Jenny Kostecki.
I’m not a mother but I have great respect for women who are. Bringing up children is a full-time job and most mothers are also working outside the home.
Elizabeth gave me a copy of The Mother’s Wisdom Deck to share with you.
This is a gorgeous and inspiring deck. I wanted one even though I am not a mother.
Whether you’re a mother or not, you’re probably bringing mothering to something. I’m birthing my novel, Chasing Sylvia Beach, after a 12-year gestation period! When I pause to reflect on the whole process, I realize that yes, I mothered this project with soul. It’s the pauses – and using a deck of cards helps us slow down – that give us the true sense of soul.
Leave a comment below about how you are mothering with soul. On Sunday, May 13th, 2012, I’ll choose a comment at random for the winner of a copy of The Mother’s Wisdom Deck.
Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers and to all mothering efforts.
Mothering is a lifelong relationship of alternately guiding and releasing your children. They need to venture forth and try their wings, but they continue to need emotional support and advice throughout their lives. I view this as an ongoing, improvisational creative relationship. I never know all the answers, but I know where to look for them, and often it is simply in my heart and soul.
I love that, Melissa, ‘an ongoing creative relationship.’ What a wonderfully dynamic point of view!
Things that are worth doing are very much like mothering.
I will be mothering with soul those I love and my art this weekend. My new husband is off to feed his soul in Key West (LOL). I am taking an artist retreat while he is away. Mothering with soul sometimes means giving an opportunity to disconnect and do what we really love without all the garbage guilt/stress talk.
Might actually get to be with my Mom on Sunday, too. Siblings may not make any plans with her for once in years! I love her to pieces. I never want to look back and say what I do sometimes with my Abuela: why did I not spend more time with her?!
Mothering with soul…to many ways to count for someone else who does not have children (kudos to those that do all that).
That’s beautiful, AM, the part about mothering this weekend in your studio and also with your mom.
Having retreat time is definitely soulful! I am craving one myself, because I have a lot of writing to do and want to have that kind of cocoon.
Enjoy your weekend!
I grew up without a mother, and having had no model, have spent eons learning how to nurture and mother myself. I don’t have children either, am often called maternal, and redirect that mothering energy into helping others. I admire wise women mother figures.
I’ve also come to realize recently that my inner artist child really needs more regular attention than I give her.
I think I’ll send some mother wisdom inside and give that child some playing space.
Andrea,
I didn’t know that. You have an incredible amount of grace in your life, do you know that? Even without mothering.
A lot of my work with my clients is about this relationship – really nurturing and paying attention to that innocent part of us that wants to create. So I understand what you’re talking about.
Do a free write to see what that inner artist child wants and needs…and then let the fun begin!
Oh, how wonderful and beautiful.
I am most proud of the mothering of my soul that I’ve done for my dog Frankie and all the kids we have had the opportunity to leave a positive impact on.
Until my early 40’s I carried in my heart a shame around never having the “knowing” or “instinct” to want children of my own. I realize now that the Universe had a different type of mothering of the soul for me which was to mentor thousands of children by sharing Frankie’s story with them. That shame has now left my heart and has been replaced with a joy and love that I feel incredibly blessed to feel.
Hi Barbara,
I’m so glad you released the shame, as mothering has so many mysterious ways it comes to light. It sounds like you are mothering in exactly the ways you are meant to.
Warm regards,
Elizabeth (coauthor of the deck)
Thank you, Elizabeth. Yes, I believe without a doubt this is exactly the way I am meant to be mothering. My soul sings!
Taking moments for just myself, sometimes forcing it to happen. I mother with soul by tending, nurturing my vegetable garden. It gives me moments to think about the plants, their needs, how I can best maintain them, their health, taking a break from my full time work, my full time concern for nurturing my son’s growth, the garden is where I reconnect and find peace, then I can come back to tending the “roost” with a longer breath. Beautiful words shared above, thanks for this wonderful blog.
This morning, my one-year-old discovered windows. She climbed on the bed and then somehow clambered up on the window ledge behind the bed and looked out with wonder. Then she looked at me as if to say, “Amma, did you know that standing at the window means you can see the cars on the street below and the treetops in the park? Isn’t that the most amazing treat in the world, better than being safe on the floor or eating yogurt and cereal while strapped in a high chair? Did you have any idea?” So, we stood and watched the cars go by and the trees sway in the wind in the park across the street. And we didn’t stay safe on the floor and we didn’t eat cereal.
Shanaz!
Congratulations! Elizabeth picked you as the winner of the Mother’s Wisdom Deck.
Your email isn’t attached to your name here, so please contact me (via email) with your mailing address and contact info so she can send you the deck.
Thank you, everyone, for your very thoughtful comments here. I was very moved by all of you and your creative contributions to this discussion!
Shanaz,
What a sweet moment you draw for us. Thank you for sharing that – mothering with soul – being present to the wonder your child gifts you with.
So sweet.
For me the changing face of mothering has been one of the greatest lessons. beyond the mothering of children, the aspect of mothering myself has been work as difficult as any there is! As with everything- some ages,or seasons are easier and softer than the the bitter and challenging ones. I find when I am truly loving, guiding, and nurturing myself my children (actual and metaphors) benefit and flourish…..
Thank you for the opportunity to reflect on mothering with soul. My sons are now in their 40’s. One is special needs, and still needs his mother, calling every morning and evening to say good morning and good night. My beautiful granddaughter just turned 20. I had the immense pleasure of raising her from 11 to 18, homeschooling her, and sharing both art and quilting with her. With her, I got a ‘do-over’, opportunity to do things right. I feel so blessed.
Now, I’m all about mothering myself, my husband, and our pets, as well as my art and my writing. At 65, life is so different for me than it was for my mother. Art-camping trips in my little van (up and down the California Coast as well as Yosemite!) and writing every, EVERY! day.
Mom’s been gone for over 25 years, but I still feel her presence and mothering in my life. I hear her voice telling me to take care of myself, don’t try to be-all, do-all, to stop and smell, paint (or write about) the roses.
So, dear Cynthia, thank you for the encouraging, modeling, supporting, and inspiring MOTHER that you are.
Sweet blessings! Chris
Cynthia, I lost my mom to ovarian cancer in 1987 but she is still with me in all I do and as I mother my now 16 year old son. Since she’s been gone, I’ve come to truly appreciate how much we mother each other – even when we’re not in the same family, my women friends and I have the bonds that weather good times and not so hot! That’s one reason I’ve been encouraging all the women I know to get together this May and have fun just ‘being’. I hope you’ll join us… http://www.multi-taskingwoman.com/meet-neat-multi-tasking-women/lets-take-time-mother-each-other/