Empowering Mom through Balance
Tara Paterson
June 11, 2007
“We have enough people who tell it like it is- now we could use a few who can tell it like it can be.” – Robert Orben
As a woman and a mom, I have traveled a long road of self-discovery. I have listened to theories ranging from- you are a mom that is the only thing you should be concerned about; to the most important thing for you to do is take care of your husband and his needs so he can continue to ?....... In theory, this may have worked for some women a century ago, but today things have advanced to a place where at the click of a button, we have access to the whole world and the possibilities that exist for anyone who’s interested.
Understand that the right to choose your own path is a sacred privilege. Use it. Dwell in possibility.” - Oprah Winfrey
What I have found to be true, whether of myself or the many women I have spoken to over the years, is the concept that a role that is unknown territory when we begin may not be our only lot in life. I love and adore my children every bit as much as any mother does, but I knew early on that for me there was more to life than just being someone’s- mom, daughter, wife, sister and friend. I realized I want to be me.
What does that mean?
It means we have forgotten what our life was like for 20+ years, before we became a parent. We spent a decade or more developing the personality that would guide us through life. We may have spent 4 or more years in college to help us decide what to do with our future. We met lots of people who shaped our thoughts; we traveled to places that opened our minds to the vastness of this world; we discovered the internet which connected us to like minds or all kinds; but through all of these things, we were molding ourselves to become the person we are today.
Ambition’s a good thing if you’ve got it headed in the right direction.” – John Wise
I am not suggesting for a second that we become selfish or forget that becoming a mom was a choice. If anything, I hope that this empowers you to think about what your inner most desire is and how you can achieve it for yourself. It is through balance and encouragement that each of us can live a fulfilling life and still keep our priorities in check. If we spend a little time each day taking care of the one who takes care of all, we will experience the possibilities that exist for each of us.
He who neglects to drink of the spring of experience is likely to die of thirst in the desert of ignorance.” – Ling Po
Tara Paterson 2004- 2007, All Rights Reserved
As a woman and a mom, I have traveled a long road of self-discovery. I have listened to theories ranging from- you are a mom that is the only thing you should be concerned about; to the most important thing for you to do is take care of your husband and his needs so he can continue to ?....... In theory, this may have worked for some women a century ago, but today things have advanced to a place where at the click of a button, we have access to the whole world and the possibilities that exist for anyone who’s interested.
Understand that the right to choose your own path is a sacred privilege. Use it. Dwell in possibility.” - Oprah Winfrey
What I have found to be true, whether of myself or the many women I have spoken to over the years, is the concept that a role that is unknown territory when we begin may not be our only lot in life. I love and adore my children every bit as much as any mother does, but I knew early on that for me there was more to life than just being someone’s- mom, daughter, wife, sister and friend. I realized I want to be me.
What does that mean?
It means we have forgotten what our life was like for 20+ years, before we became a parent. We spent a decade or more developing the personality that would guide us through life. We may have spent 4 or more years in college to help us decide what to do with our future. We met lots of people who shaped our thoughts; we traveled to places that opened our minds to the vastness of this world; we discovered the internet which connected us to like minds or all kinds; but through all of these things, we were molding ourselves to become the person we are today.
Ambition’s a good thing if you’ve got it headed in the right direction.” – John Wise
I am not suggesting for a second that we become selfish or forget that becoming a mom was a choice. If anything, I hope that this empowers you to think about what your inner most desire is and how you can achieve it for yourself. It is through balance and encouragement that each of us can live a fulfilling life and still keep our priorities in check. If we spend a little time each day taking care of the one who takes care of all, we will experience the possibilities that exist for each of us.
He who neglects to drink of the spring of experience is likely to die of thirst in the desert of ignorance.” – Ling Po
Tara Paterson 2004- 2007, All Rights Reserved