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How Does She Do It?
101 Life Lessons from One Mother to Another Chapter One: Celebrate Yourself
I'm tough, ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, okay.
— Madonna
This year on my birthday I did something unusual. Instead of staying home and waiting for someone to plan some special event for me, I signed up for a gardening workshop for the entire day. I left before anyone asked me to make breakfast and returned to a dinner ready to be served!
At first I felt guilty, thinking my kids would be hurt if I chose to spend the day away from them. But with age I'm learning how to listen to my inner voice to determine what I want — and then to have the courage to make it happen. I used to sit back and hope that my children or husband would climb into my thoughts and figure out exactly how I'd like to celebrate my special day. I wanted them to demonstrate their ability to put my needs and wants first — like I do for them. Then at the end of the day, if they did not live up to my expectations, I felt unloved.
So this year when they asked what I wanted, I thought long and hard and gave them a specific request: I wanted my yard weeded. Smirks and frowns appeared. I was asking for their time instead of a trip to the mall for a quick and easy purchase. Of course, the kids had their excuses and planned events that prevented them from giving me what I asked for — although the lawn was mowed and some weeding had occurred. But this year I didn't care. I felt happy after spending the day learning about something I love.
My lesson this daywas one I will remember. The littlethings in life that annoy, disappoint, hurt, or upset us don't seem so big or even worth considering when we've taken the time to nurture and care for ourselves.
Today I will do something that nurtures me.
How Does She Do It?
101 Life Lessons from One Mother to Another. Copyright © by Sheila Ellison. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.
